(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS - It may come as little surprise to many, but a provincial association representing more than 1,200 members from the B.C. construction industry has come out in support of the proposed Ajax Mine.

The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C. says it is focused on ‘getting projects to Yes’ and advancing responsible development  in B.C. With that goal in mind, it is asking for members and the public to support three proposed projects in the province — Woodfibre LNG in Squamish, Blackwater Gold mine southwest of Vanderhoof and the Ajax Mine, a copper and gold mine immediately southwest of Kamloops.

KGHM Ajax Mining Inc. officially submitted the environmental assessment application for the Ajax Mine project earlier this year and the 75-day public comment period opened Jan. 26. Last week two open houses were held for the public to find out more about the application and another two will be held mid-March.

The association believes the Ajax Mine project will generate wealth for local communities, and the whole of the province, through the creation of high paying jobs, tax revenue and business expansion.

The group is asking members to submit comments to the Environmental Assessment Office to show support for the project and has gone as far as providing a standard response form on its website which will submit directly to the assessment office.

So far the public comments submitted have come from a mix of supporters and opponents. 

If approved, the mine is expected to operate for more than 20 years and provide thousands of jobs, something many supporters say our community needs. Opponents point to the potential health and environment risks an open-pit mine could bring.

The public comment period will run until April 11. The 180-day review period will run until the summer, at which point the provincial and federal assessment offices can approve or deny the application, or ask for more information before making a decision.

READ MORE:

Proposed Ajax Mine project

Plain language summaries of the environmental assessment application

To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

News from © iNFOnews, 2016