Copper Canyon Resources ltd. (fka CAYRF)

[NYBob]

Power Line
Published: January 06, 2011 5:06 PM
Updated: January 06, 2011 5:06 PM

THEENVIRONMENTAL review of the planned $404 million project to build apower line up Hwy37 North has started again as of this morning.

Thereview of the Northwest Transmission Line was to have been finishedlast month and sent to the provincial government for a decision but washalted so federal environmental authorities could take a closer look atthe proposal.

That suspension was over yesterday, leading to today's resumption of the review.

Environmentalreviews of major projects in BC are to take 180 days but there can besuspensions along the way if specific items come up which need closerstudy.

Today's resumption of the review leaves seven days to run on the 180-day clock.

Thatmeans the review is now scheduled to be finished Jan. 12 and presentedto the provincial environmental and forests, mines and lands ministersfor a decision.

The ministers have 45 days in which to make up their minds.

Thepower line is expected to lead to the development of at least two majorcopper mines in the region, bringing billions in investment and badlyneeded jobs to an area which has yet to recover from a virtual shutdownof its once dominant forest industry.

The BC Hydro line will run 340km from the Skeena Substation near Terrace up Hwy37 North to Bob Quinn on Highway 37 North.

ImperialMetals is expected to build a line south from its Red Chris copperdeposit to Bob Quinn and NovaGold and Teck are expected to build a linefrom their Galore Creek copper deposit which is west of Bob Quinn.

Atthe same time, AltaGas of Calgary is spending hundreds of millions todevelop its Forrest Kerr run-of-river hydro project in the Iskut Riverand will build its own line to Bob Quinn to feed power into theprovincial grid via the Northwest Transmission Line.