VICTORIA, January 4, 2007 - The Joint Review Panel for the Kemess North Copper-Gold Mine Project today announces that approval from the federal Minister of the Environment and the BC Minister of Environment has been received, allowing the amendment of the Panel’s Terms of Reference to extend the date for completion of the Panel review process and for delivery of the Panel’s report as follows:
that the review process be amended to include a period of 90 days, commencing January 1, 2007, to permit time for the parties to resolve outstanding issues related to First Nations participation in the Panel process, and for First Nations to prepare additional evidence and submissions.
that the review process be amended to include up to an additional 45-day hearing period, to follow the 90-day period, and that the Panel have the discretion on whether to hold further hearings, and if so, to set the commencement date for the additional 45-day hearing period.
The Panel had made the request for the extension following a motion presented by the Gitxsan House of Nii Kyap which was heard at a public hearing in Victoria on November 29, 2006. Before making its request, the Panel considered the merits of the Gitxsan motion and the comments received from the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, Northgate Minerals Corporation, and the Tse Keh Nay, as well as other participants who provided comments on the motion.
Further information on the possibility of public hearings will follow at a later date.
The Joint Review Panel was appointed by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia and is mandated according to the Terms of Reference contained in the Agreement established by both governments.
Northgate Minerals Corporation proposes to develop the Kemess North copper and gold deposit, 250 km northeast of Smithers. The proposed 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 Panel process, consult the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, reference number 04-07-3394.
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Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
613-957-0434
