From the Friday, January 19, 2007 online edition of the Kootenay Advertiser in Cranbrook, B.C. . . .
The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) of BC is holding a series of public hearings in the South Country and Elk Valley this week to collect input from people in the region on how to minimize the environmental impact of a proposed mining project in the Flathead Valley. The area of operations is located about 30 kilometres south of Fernie and Gary Alexander, Project Director with the EAO says the project is still in the early stages.
The proposal by Cline Mining to construct an open pit mine is in the pre-application stage right now, Alexander explains. The EAO is working with the proponent at this time to finalize the terms of reference. Alexander describes this document as “kind of like a table of contents” of areas that need to be addresses. The formal public comment period will be discussing the draft terms of reference.
Cline Mining wants to construct a conventional “trucks and shovels” open pit mine, similar to other operations in the Elk Valley, says Gordon Gomley, Chief Operating Officer for Cline Mining. He believes the mine would have great economic benefits for the province. He also sees many positive attributes this operation would have compared to others in the area. There is a compact deposit with a fit coal section, he explains, and only one dump area would be required.
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Gomley hopes his company will get a chance to show government and the public the facts of the operation. Casey Brennan is the Program Manager for Energy and Mining with Wildsight in the Elk Valley. He says it is hard to find a local citizen’s group that is supportive of the mine.
“This place is a special area that needs protection,” Brennan claims and says politicians in BC need to be pressured to see that they need to change their two zone mining policy. It divides the Province in areas where mining is allowed on the one hand and protected areas, such as National and Provincial Parks on the other. Brennan emphasizes Wildsight is getting support from various individuals and organizations, including the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, hunting groups and guide outfitters as well as Governors and Senators from south of the border.
Read the entire article . . .