Prince George, B.C. - The B.C. Mining Association is well on its way to having a special report completed that it hopes will spark a new look at the electrification of the Highway 37 corridor.

The plan initially involved Galore Creek Mine and the Provincial Government sharing the cost of a $400 million dollar project to put in power lines from Terrace to Bob Quinn Lake. That project was put on hold after Nova Gold - Teck Cominco shelved the Galore Creek mine project because of escalating costs.

The Mining Association’s spokesperson, Byng Giraud says the report being done now is “More of an inventory of potential projects that would show the true need for electricity to be expanded along the Highway 37 corridor.” Giraud says the need isn’t just for mining projects as there is also an opportunity for independent power producers.

Giraud says the need for the extension of electricity has to be evaluated within the context that with or without certain projects, it would still be a plus for the region. “It is not just about one project, it’s kind of like the W.A.C. Bennett vision for the province. In his time, people were saying why are you putting in those projects, you don’t have any customers? We think there is a case for ‘if you build it, they will come.”

The full review is being carried out by Macquarie Bank which is viewed as an expert when it comes to public-private partnerships. "This report is not being done to the level you would take to the bank,  it will be done to the level of detail that would  attract a second look from the government,  the private sector and First Nations."

The Northern Development Initiatives Trust recently contributed $30 thousand dollars to the inventory project which has a price tag of $240,000.00

The final report is expected to be complete before the end of April.