Ministry of Environment met with city officials; others at end of March | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kamloops News

Ministry of Environment met with city officials; others at end of March

KAMLOOPS - A senior federal Ministry of Environment official has met with local politicians and stake holders about the proposed Ajax mine.

Jesse McCormick, a senior member of environment minister Catherine McKenna’s staff, met with Mayor Peter Milobar and Coun. Tina Lange on March 24. According to the mayor, McCormick also met with local first nations, the mine’s proponent KGHM Ajax Mining and the Kamloops Area Preservation Association.

“It was a chance for us to share what both council and community concerns were,” Milobar says. “We want to make sure the people in the offices that are ultimately going to be making this decision are taking a good hard look.”

He says McCormick made not committments during the hour-long meeting, adding the federal government official was collecting information.

The mayor wanted to make it clear if the federal environment ministry approves the mine, Kamloops needs to be assured the application was scrutinized. On the other hand, if the ministry says no, the city wants assurances politics wasn't behind the decision.

The public can share their thoughts on the proposed copper and gold mine on the city’s southwest border until April 11 with the provincial and federal environmental assessment offices. The offices will make recommendations on whether or not to permit the mine during the summer, though the offices may delay the decision to ask for more information from KGHM Ajax Mining.

Council will have a meeting May 9 to discuss the city’s official stance on the mine, though the city doesn’t have a legal say on whether or not the mine is built.

Find past stories on the proposed Ajax mine here.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Brendan Kergin or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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