Good deal, but the skiers are going to be pissed when the remaining hill is only 50ft high.LOL

Any first nations issues yet?

this is an underground mine so the ski hill will not be touched in any way,hope this will keep you happy,i would like to congratulate the blue pearl management and shareholders on their patientce in dealing with all of the issues on getting their ore body to production,thompson creek does need to be aware of the social responsibilties to all people in their mine areas and i hope they take this task seriously the track record of the industry has been dismal by both mines and governments so far and i am sure they will try harder to be good miners and govt and learn from our natives how to share the loot and be fair to everyone jd

this is an underground mine so the ski hill will not be touched in any way,hope this will keep you happy,i would like to congratulate the blue pearl management and shareholders on their patientce in dealing with all of the issues on getting their ore body to production,thompson creek does need to be aware of the social responsibilties to all people in their mine areas and i hope they take this task seriously the track record of the industry has been dismal by both mines and governments so far and i am sure they will try harder to be good miners and govt and learn from our natives how to share the loot and be fair to everyone jd

Northern taxpayer
I know that. Thats why I finished my statement off with a lol.

Andyfreeze, if there aren't yet there certainly will be.

It always amazes me that mining projects get so much flak when there are thousands of clearcuts and logging roads that do more damage with less study and protesting by special interest groups. My point being mining is a contained environment vs logging roads and clearcuts that expose more leach cap soils and minerals that eventually get into the water sheds. Anyhow congrats to Smithers on the good news.

No doubt Duffer!
With all the technology and the enviromental standards in place,it is highly unlikely that we will see a bad mine in terms of polution like there was years ago.
Not going to happen.
There is also close monitoring of these mines,so I don't buy into the "destroying the land" issues that come up.
The Mt.Milligan mine is a good example of the close monitoring and controls.
This mine was already permited before under Placer Dome, and all the owners Terrane Metals have done is make it even better and more enviromentaly friendly.
Mining is a viable and much needed economic benefit to northern B.C.
What may NOT be an economic benefit to northern B.C. is the Liberal government if it is not approved soon.
All that will mean is that they have knuckled under to the enviromentaist AGAIN!

I am always shocked at the racist coments made in these coments. Sure makes you know the odds of our indiginous people getting a fair treatment from the government when the people have such predjudice.

I am always shocked at how any mention of what the natives are doing suddenly becomes a "racist comment".

The only conclusion one can make from all this is that the reports of native land claims matching exactly the area of any mine or exploration find, are not true.

The picture on CBC of a native thumping their chest or bongo drum, while talking to the bears, while standing nobly on a road looking over the new location, and muttering about sacred fore father and needing some cash - isn't true as well I suppose.

I think Yama has a good point.
Why do people always seem to be branded as "racist" simply for offering an opinion?
Sure,maybe some are to some degree, but we are not ALL racists.
Some people are just plain disgusted and frustrated with a process that never seems to go anyhwere or improve.
There has to be a better way, and calling people racist when they voice an opinion is NOT helping!
One of the nice things about democracy is we all have a right to voice that opinion!
Even if nobody else likes it!

Yikes Yama, a tasteful, valid and excellent point made. So unlike you.

The racist card seems to be easy to pull out of the hat whenever someone speaks the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts, suck it up. How many more decades do we have to curtail all investment and production in this country due to First Nations antics. The First Nations have used their tactic strategically since adopting the principal.

The term First Nations was probably coined to provide some credibility to your cause. Merely to manipulate the free ride they have enjoyed.

Why is it that they have new vehicles all the time, yet drive to a reserve and the area could easily be mistaken for a municipal landfill and scrapyard.

Most European tourists to your areas report the resemblance of your communities to those of Gypsy slums in Eastern Europe. What pride is there in that? First Nations pride?

Should you be a First Nations reader I suggest you print this post for your Elders and discuss it. If you need proof of this sentiment, try polling the communities near you. You'd most likely be shocked to learn the opinion out there.

I myself am not racist. I enjoy the First Nations culture. Sipping on a coffee and watching your Artisans carve a Totem Pole or a Longboat is very impressive. Being invited to a SWEAT is indeed one of the most spiritual and memorable events of my life.

But as Andyfreeze pointed out, more than many of us are frustrated.