VICTORIA - March 29, 2007 - The Joint Review Panel for the proposed Kemess North Copper-Gold Mine Project announces today that additional public hearings will take place in Smithers, BC from May 14 to 17, 2007.
The Panel has recently been informed by the Governments of Canada and of British Columbia that based on recent discussions with the Gitxsan House of Nii Kyap and the Tse Keh Nay about funding and participation in the panel process, it is likely that First Nations are now in a position to provide additional information to the Panel.
The Panel intends to hold hearings specifically to obtain additional information from First Nations, particularly new information on traditional use and socio-economic conditions. The hearings will also provide an opportunity to other parties who may wish to provide final submissions to the Panel in person. Final submissions may also be submitted in writing.
The hearing will start on Monday, May 14 at 9:00 a.m. at the Hudson Bay Lodge in Smithers. To make a presentation, participants are asked to register with the Panel secretariat below, by May 4, 2007. Participants should send an electronic copy of written submissions no later than May 4, 2007 to:
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
The Panel's Terms of Reference require the final report to be submitted to Ministers within 60 days following the close of the hearings.
The Panel’s Terms of Reference were amended in December 2006 to add an additional 90 days to the review process to permit time for Governments and First Nations to resolve outstanding issues with respect to participation in the Panel process and to include an option to hold additional hearings if required. The Panel had made the request to extend the Panel process following a motion presented by the Gitxsan House of Nii Kyap.
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, under number 04-07-3394.
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Media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
(613) 957-0434
