VICTORIA - September 17, 2007 - The Joint Panel reviewing the proposed Kemess North Copper-Gold Mine Project announces today that it is submitting its report to the federal and provincial ministers of the Environment, First Nations and the proponent Northgate Minerals.
The Panel has concluded that the development of the project in its present form would not be in the public interest. In the Panel’s view, the economic and social benefits provided by the Project, on balance, are outweighed by the risks of significant adverse environmental, social and cultural effects, some of which may not emerge until many years after mining operations cease. The Panel recommends to the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia, that the Project not be approved as proposed.
In addition, the Panel made a number of recommendations that, should governments decide to approve the project, would assist in the mitigation of the adverse effects of the project.
The report follows a series of public hearings that took place in Smithers, in Prince George, in Victoria and in Kwadacha between October 2006 and May 2007. During the proceedings the Panel received submissions and heard oral presentations from Northgate Minerals, the Tse Keh Nay First Nation, the Gitxsan House of Nii Kyap, federal and provincial government agencies, environmental groups, individuals and organizations interested in the project.
The Panel’s report is available on the Web site of the BC Environmental Assessment Office at www.eao.gov.bc.ca. An executive summary in both official languages, along with further information on the project can be found on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Web site.
The Joint Review Panel was appointed by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia in May 2005 and was mandated according to the Terms of Reference contained in the Agreement established by both governments.
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Media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
Joint Review Panel Secretariat
613-957-0434
