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BC Mineral Explorers Urge Timely Cabinet Decision on Prosperity Gold-Copper Project
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BC Mineral Explorers Urge Timely Cabinet Decision on Prosperity
Gold-Copper Project
Vancouver, BC - July 7, 2010 - The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) today urged the federal Cabinet to come to a timely decision regarding the proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine project in BC. The federal review Panel submitted its report and recommendations to the Canadian government on July 2.
“We encourage the federal Cabinet to now carefully consider the Panel report, evaluate the net benefits and impacts of this project to everyone, and to make a timely decision,” said Gavin C. Dirom, President & CEO of AME BC.
Mineral deposits such as discovered at Prosperity are very rare, and hold significant economic and social benefits for all Canadians. The proposed mine near Williams Lake, BC, is expected to contribute $340 million annually to provincial GDP and create 500 long term jobs. Such critical benefits have yet to be fully considered and balanced in the context of sustainable development, according to AME BC.
"Responsible mineral explorers understand that there will always be impacts to developing deposits and that these impacts need to be soundly assessed and properly mitigated,” continued Dirom. “Should the federal Cabinet approve the Prosperity project, we expect government will help address the interests and concerns of local Aboriginal peoples, including innovative measures such as resource revenue sharing agreements.”
The Prosperity project, which first entered the environmental assessment process in 1995, has been subject to a dual provincial and federal environmental review." Given such a protracted and disconnected review, we will also continue to advocate for true reform of the environmental assessment process necessary to improve effectiveness, reduce costs and provide greater certainty for mineral explorers and developers, Aboriginal peoples, communities, governments, and environmental groups," added Dirom.
"As optimists looking forward and with a revival of exploration activity now occurring in the province, we believe a timely and positive decision by the federal Cabinet will send a clear and strong signal to the global investment and mineral exploration community at a time when BC needs it most," concluded Dirom.
About AME BC:
AME BC is the predominant voice of mineral exploration in British Columbia. Established in 1912, AME BC represents thousands of members including geoscientists, prospectors, engineers, entrepreneurs, exploration companies, suppliers, mineral producers, and associations who are engaged in mineral exploration in BC and throughout the world. Through leadership, advocacy, and partnerships, AME BC promotes a healthy environment and business climate for the mineral exploration industry.
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For more information, please contact Jonathan Buchanan, Director, Communications & Public Affairs, AME BC, at 604.630.3923 or jbuchanan@amebc.ca.
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