Northgate Minerals Corp (NXG)

[EZ2]

Kemess North not dead yet ~~~ <thanks tim>

By Thom Barker
Black Press

Oct 12 2007

A partisan mining crowd broke into spontaneous applause as Harold Bent, Northgate Minerals’ environmental manager, outlined his concern that a recent panel decision could have far-reaching implications for the B.C. industry.

Bent told Kevin Krueger, B.C. minister of state for mining, and the 80 industry delegates gathered at the Smithers Golf and Country Club on Thursday, that the panel’s recommendation not to approve his company’s Kemess North project has weakened confidence in B.C. mining.

“I just wanted to hear from the minister that the government is going to take a very serious look at [the panel’s] report,” Bent said, adding that, overall, the report was favourable to the company.

Krueger assured Bent and the rest of the audience the Northgate saga is not over.

“I’m concerned as well, but it is a process,” he said.

“It isn’t something ministers interfere with, the Environmental Assessment Office has its mandate and it has its authority.”

He encouraged people to be patient as the project goes through that process.

The minister also addressed concerns that the decision could set a precedent that effectively gives First Nations veto power over resource projects.

“I don’t think people should say that because it isn’t true and I think it’s destructive to say that,” Krueger said.

“I think it’s incumbent on all of us to work together,” he said, citing Galore Creek and Ruby Creek as shining examples of industry and First Nations collaboration.

Despite the preponderance of discussion surrounding Kemess, the meeting was positive overall. Krueger described a situation that can only be characterized as a massive boom.

“It is a phenomenal increase,” he said.

“We have 25 of the 52 major projects that are seeking approval across Canada right here in British Columbia.

He added that his staff is working on 30 different mines with eight more in the pre-approval phase and talked about an unprecedented investment in exploration of $265 million last year.

“This year, I’m certain we’re going to go over $300 million,” he said.

He cited a Price Waterhouse Cooper report that the B.C. mining industry is paying an average salary of almost $100,000 per year.

“Most people are pretty excited about that, especially in the area that’s been devestated by the mountain pine beetle,” he said.

Cress Farrow, Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako chair, was encouraged by Krueger’s comments regarding the Geoscience B.C. Quest project. Geoscience B.C. is an industry organization that has been conducting geophysical and geochemical surveys with government support through the Prince George area from Williams Lake to Mackenzie.

Farrow questioned Krueger as to whether the RDBN could expect funding that would extend the exploration work west to mitigate the impact of the pine beetle.

“I’m very optimistic, Farrow said.

“The money will be there.”

Peter Ogryzlo, senior geologist for Huckleberry Mines and a founding member of the Smithers Exploration Group, asked the minister for help with a rather unique issue.

“The biggest, single barrier we have found to employing more [miners] is the lack of a drivers licence, particularly among First Nations youth,” he said.

Krueger said he had not encountered that problem before, but would take it up with his colleagues.

The minister admitted that and other workforce challenges will require some innovative solutions, but said it’s a good problem to have.

http://www.pgfreepress.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=26&cat=23&id=1081591&more=0