Image Credit: CFJC Today

By James Peters

Ajax Project

Ajax not dead? Minority owner says Kamloops mine still a priority

Sep 24, 2019 | 2:47 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Ajax project is not dead, according to its minority owner.

The proposed copper-gold mine on the southeast border of Kamloops was denied an environmental assessment certificate by the provincial and federal governments in December, 2017.

Polish mining giant KGHM Polska Miedz controls 80 per cent of the project, while Abacus mining owns the remaining 20 per cent.

In a news release issued Monday (Sept. 23), Abacus President and COO Paul Anderson says the Kamloops project “remains a priority” for both companies.

Anderson says despite the “setback” of being denied an environmental certificate, the two mining companies “[have] continued to work to advance the project, including evaluating various strategies geared toward potentially resubmitting the environmental application.”

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Anderson says the two companies are beginning the process of “re-engaging the project stakeholders.”

He adds the re-engagement process will try to satisfy provincial and federal environmental regulations and will include “advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.”

In their 2017 decision to deny Ajax an environmental certificate, B.C. Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Minister Michelle Mungall cited environmental effects and effects to Indigenous heritage as major sticking points.