Government approval for Mt. Milligan project

A mine development certificate has been awarded to Placer Dome (TSE) for its Mt. Milligan copper-gold project near Fort St. James, B.C.

The certificate was awarded after a provincial and federal technical review of the proposed $440-million open-pit mine. Operating capacity would be 60,000 tonnes per day.

The company has put development plans on hold, however, as a result of poor market conditions.

Should the project eventually move forward, employment during construction would range between 500 and 750 persons, and then level off to 350 over the 14-year mine life. Placer Dome’s policy of hiring local residents would benefit communities near the project, including Fort. St. James and Prince George, as well as local native groups.

A road would be constructed to link the project with the Omenica Access Road and Fort St. James. Concentrates would be transported to Prince Rupert for shipment to offshore markets.

A buried pipeline to transport natural gas to an 80-megawatt, on-site electrical generating station would be connected with Westcoast Energy’s main pipeline. A back-up hydroelectric line is also proposed, which would be connected to a B.C. Hydro substation.

In a separate development, the British Columbia government has approved an expansion at the Line Creek coal operation near Sparwood, B.C. Line Creek Resources was issued a mine development certificate after a full technical and environmental review, which included consultation with the public and native groups. The certificate included a requirement for the company to protect wetland vegetation.

The Line Creek extension will include a pit, an upstream extension of the Line Creek rock drain, and associated facilities for controlling surface water and sedimentation.