| Northwest ore body | gets gov’t approval DEVELOPERS OF a revived mining project in the far northwest say depressed ore prices won't affect their plans. Redfern Resources chairman John Greig says the Tulsequah Chief proper- ly coniains enough ore of various types to be econom- ically viable. “We're doing our plan- ning on the long term aver- age prices, But I must say this is viable even at today’s prices,’’ he said last week following news that the de- velopment has been given conditional approval by the provincial government, The location, first mined by Cominco in the 1950s, is multi-metal, containing cop- per, gold, lead and zinc, A key to its revival is the construction of road from Atlin 160km north of the site. The road is estimated to cost $30 million, a fairly healihy chunk of the $150 million bill for the project. Full financing has yel to be lined up but Greig says that will come soon and anticipates some preparatory work this year wilh full con- _ struction next year. Battle brewing AN ENVIRONMENTAL group says the Tulsequah _ Chief mine south of Atlin is far from a done deal, Don Weir of the Taku Wilderness Association says he was surprised conditional approval came so quickly. ‘Nobody really cxpected that the government would act in such an irresponsible manner on this one,’’ he said. “This is just one chapter that’s over and it’s going on. There are all kinds of stakeholders ‘that are ¢x- — tremely angry about this and | they are people who have ‘the ability to throw sig- ‘nificant delays into it and I'm sure they are weighing their options.”’ Weir says the Americans are upset that a mine on the Taku River, just 65km up- stream from Junea, Alaska, has been approved without their full consent. Although Alaska and U.S. federal reps were on the project review committee, their concerns were taken at the intermediate stage, after which modifications were made to the project, Weir says, Instead of a final mecting to go over details, cach player in the process, in- cluding the U.S. agencies, were sent a 104-page fax of the fina] recommendations _ and given 48 hours to sign the deal. Alaska, the federal En- vironmental Protection Agency and the U.S. De- partment of the Interior fired off strongly worded letters and refused to sign. The mine is on the Taku River, one of Southeast Alaska’s most important salmon rivers. American concerns include locating the tailings pond on-a flood plain. The Taku Wildemess As- sociation had wanted full hearings, saying developer Redfern Resources lef rouch to be desired in its studies. - But its request for public hearings wasn’l acted upon by the province, “The government simply cannot afford to do it wrong the very first time, yet it ap- pears to be headed - that way,’’ sald Weir. The . association says it isn’ opposed to mining but does want it to take place only when environmental and other considerations aren't ignored, It's been particularly criti- cal of acid rock drainage seeping from when the property was first mined in the 1950s. When you can't breathe, nothing else matters - ‘BRITISH COLUMBIA LUNG ASSOCIATION T31-LUNG or 1-800-665-LUNG He’s banking on ore ex- traction taking place by the end of 2000, Conditional approval depends upon the mine receiving all of its permits, including one for the access road, but that shouldn't be a problem, says Greig. The road will be private, with an access gaic, and once mining’s complete it will be reclaimed. “T can tell you this project has been through a rigorous environmental assessment and review,’’ he said. The project was the Grst to fall under a combined federal-provincial — environ- inental assessment process, Greig said the combina- tion became fully effective toward the end of the pro- ject review but described it as a worthwhile experience, He did say that the project received a friendly reception from the provincial govern- ment, once it had answered environmental issues. “Things are changing very dramatically. The pro- vince is doing ail that’s necessary to encourage the mining industry,’ Greig continued. The underground mine has an estimated life span for now of nine years and will employ 300 people during coustruction and 250 peaple when it is running. Greig says there'll be more drilling to expand the mine’s life once operations begin. Recruitment and training will concentrate first on the Atlin-area aud Greig expects other. workers to live in ‘Smithers and Terrace. Workers will spend two weeks on the job and two weeks out, a fairly standard mine work pattern. The company had first wanted to use barges on the Taku River to move cquip- menl in and ore concentrate oul. But it found the water in places too shallow and the cost too high, which brought into play a road connection to Allin. The mine is designed to avoid new acid-generating material, says another Red- fern = spokesman, Kelvin Dushnisky. Tailings from the mifl will bave sulfur removed and lime added ta neutralize it, BETTER DEALS * BETTER VALUE BETTER SERVICE , The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, March 25, 1998 - Al3 NeeEosar. Acid ‘generating material will be reduced to a paste, mixed with cement, put back underground in mined- out cavities and covered Multiple sclerosis usually strikes people aged 20 to 40, in the prime of their lives. Multiple Sclerosis Soclaly of Canada 1-800-268-7582 wilh water. Concentrate will ~~ be trucked all the way to the port of Skagway, Alaska. SKEENA VALLEY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB ANNUAL WINE & CHEESE Guesis Welcome March 28 - 7:30 p.m. At The Clubhouse Two lucky members who sign up on or before March 28 could win back 1/2 their dues. An exciting year Of =~ ae goltis justaround “& Oren Ap a the comer. Everyone “am wate For Our. is welcome ‘Specials Ph: 695-2542 Toll Free 1-800-770-2542 GRIRVUE: | STOPPERS 635-TIPS Sheena tellon Fax: 635-4800 [sour a country céusll Box 865 Terrace, B.C. N BETTER cup TOTEM FORD “YEARS e commu DEALS BETTER VALUE » BETTER SERVICE - The Totem Ford Promise lw Ford Aspire * Automatic + AM/FM Stared «| Lease For $259 mo. ‘97 Ford Escort ® Automatic 2 AG © Power Mirrars © Cassette: . Lease For $220mo. | ® At Terrace Totem Ford, our employees promise to treat every erson who comes to our dealership with the same ‘97 ihustang Convertable * Automatic AC Power Mirrars Power Locks cassette Lease For 5457 imo. 52. 99 no. ‘97 Ford Taurus ‘98 Mystique honesty, respect and Automatic ¢ Automatic oe a : Powerindows) §=— CQnsideration as we, * Power Wind Por dos Power Mirae ourselves, would Lease For Lease For expect from a $2. 39 mo. comp any. ‘96 Sable Automatic (Hi Pawer Windows, Power Locks « Cassette Lease For S267 io, ‘95 Econoline Cargoy Van . bassatts Lease For $2 84 ina. That means no gimmicks, hype or double talk. Each customer is looking for something different in a_ car, and he or she wants to be treated well. And if there’s one ‘97 F 1 50 Flareside 4x4 ALE Tit Cra'se Casselta Lease For 52 7 Gino. Lease For $999 no thing we’ve learned ‘97 F150 4x4 * Automatic VG » 4xd 1 ° Cassatic from being in the automotive industry for so many years, it’s that there is Lease For $309 mo. ‘97 Aerostar AWD | * WG © Power Windows * Power Locks | Lease For S267 mo. ‘06 Windstar LX | « Pawar Locks Lease For $399 mo. no one right solution for everyone’s automotive needs, We’re proud to offer a great selection of cars, trucks, mini-vans and e V-10 ° ALC © Tilt *ALL NEW!* ‘99 F350 4x4 e Cassetie Lease For $539 mo. sport utility vehicles. We invite you to visit our showroom to discover the Totem | Ford promise. Laase based on 24 month enth $2,500 down cash orlrade, plus end Ist & security. Ford Aspite TPP $8,716 Ford Escort TPPS7,096 Ford Mustang TPP $13,468 Taurus TPP $9,876 Mystique TPP $4,236 Sable Tpp $9,149 Aerostas AWD Tppmne Econoline Cone Tpp $9,318 "96 Ford F-150 Tpp $9,196 ‘97 Ford F-150 Flareside axa Tpp $10,838 ‘97 Ford F-160 4x4 TPP $9,015 Wincatay Top $12,076 1698 F350 dnd Top $15,438 Kevin Kennedy Ralph Trelenberg Ron Bartlett Todd Bellamy Graham Scott Melanie Jones 4631 Keith Ave DLR#5548 A car dealer with Standards as high as yours. Ph: (250) 635-4984 Fax: (250) 635-2783 Toll Free: 1-800-463-1128