Ajax Mining is hoping a new web page will help engage the local community.
Image Credit: PlaceSpeak
April 02, 2014 - 4:58 AM
KAMLOOPS — KGHM Ajax Mining says it wants the community to talk about the project and is utilizing another online forum in the hopes of getting more local people talking.
After taking the time to thank about 2,000 supporters with a party at Interior Savings Centre a couple weeks ago the company is now aiming towards more communication, according to External Affairs Manager Yves Lacasse.
The company recently released a video featuring Lacasse and several supporters lobbying for the project and the need to communicate. Lacasse says the video is intended to point people to the company website to get more information and to open up communication. Aside from the Ajax website and Facebook pages a PlaceSpeak page is now in place as a communications tool as well.
“We've had it for a while, but we're just starting to promote it now.... It's something new for our community to use,” Lacasse says of their latest venture into public engagement.
The page currently has limited information, and only one comment, but Lacasse hopes people will see the value in a locals-only forum.
“It's restricted, you have to be a Kamloops resident to participate,” he says, “it's all about the community.”
The community will also begin to see more information sessions over the next year as studies are completed in time for the self-imposed March 2015 deadline the company has set. Lacasse says the company has been assessing the project since it took over in 2012.
“Anyone buying a business is going to do due diligence, internal review, assess the project,” Lacasse points out. “When we started doing all of this we asked 'Can we do this better?' and the answer is 'Yes, we think we can.'”
He notes that while some people in the community are growing impatient the company is trying to 'do it right' rather than speed through the process. An announcement is expected in the next several weeks on some changes coming to the plan though.
“We're trying to redesign to optimize (the project).... We're working on the final touches right now,” Lacasse says. “We have listened to community and we hope people will see that.”
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014