VICTORIA, November 27, 2006 - The joint panel reviewing the Kemess North Copper-Gold Mine Project today announces that an extra day of public hearings will be held on Wednesday November 29, 2006 in Victoria BC. The objective of the special hearing will be to hear the motion brought forward by the Gitxsan House of Nii Kyap at hearings in Smithers from November 20th to 24th. The Panel has requested that the Gitxsan submit the written motion on November 27.
The key parties participating in the hearings expected to comment on the motion include the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, Northgate Minerals and the Tse Keh Nay. Other registered participants who wish to comment on this motion should notify the Panel co-managers below of their intention and provide their written comments no later than 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 28.
The panel will consider the motion as well as the comments received and will render a decision.
Members of the public are welcome to attend. The hearing session will be held at 10:00 a.m. at:
Victoria Conference Center
Salon C
720 Douglas Street, Victoria
For more information, contact:
Marie-France Therrien, Panel Co-Manager
Kemess North Mine - Joint Review Panel
Tel.: (613) 957-0324
marie-france.therrien@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Ray Crook, Panel Co-Manager
Kemess North Mine - Joint Review Panel
Tel.: (250) 387-2438
raymond.crook@gov.bc.ca
Northgate Minerals Corporation proposes to develop the Kemess North copper and gold deposit, 250 km northeast of Smithers. The project would be located 6 km north of its existing Kemess Mine, which is projected to close in late 2009. The project includes development of a new open pit, modification of the existing mill, and related infrastructure. The project would result in present day milling capacity at the operating Kemess mine being increased from the current 55,000 tonnes per day to up to 120,000 tonnes per day.
For further information on this project and the joint review process, consult the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, reference number 04-07-3394.
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Media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
(613) 957-0434 / (613) 266-0208
