Construction of the Brucejack Mine, 65 kms northwest of Stewart, B.C., is expected to get underway in 2015. — Photo courtesy Pretium Resources With
Construction of the Brucejack Mine, 65 kms northwest of Stewart, B.C., is expected to get underway in 2015. — Photo courtesy Pretium Resources
With all necessary federal approvals, a provincial environmental assessment certificate and Mines Act permit now in place, construction of the new Brucejack mine is expected to get underway in 2015.
Construction and operation of this underground gold and silver mine will provide high-paying jobs and economic benefits for First Nations and all British Columbians.
Brucejack is located about 65 km northwest of Stewart. Pretium Resources Inc. (Pretivm), which owns the mine, estimates the project has a capital cost of USD $750 million, and that it will create approximately 900 jobs during the two-year construction period and 500 jobs during an estimated 18-year operating life. Once in full production, Brucejack will produce up to 2,700 tonnes of ore per day.
Pretivm has actively engaged all three of the local First Nations which have interests in the project area, including the Tahltan Nation, Tsetsaut/Skii km Lax Ha First Nation and the Nisga’a Nation. Earlier this year, Pretivm signed a co-operation and benefits agreement with the Nisga’a Nation. The agreement establishes a long-term, mutually-beneficial relationship between Pretivm and the Nisga'a Nation, who have rights and interests as defined by the Nisga'a Final Agreement in the Nass Area, where portions of the project are located.
Tailings produced at the mine will be stored underground in spent mine workings, and in Brucejack Lake, which contains no fish. There will be no negative impact on downstream water in Canada or Alaska. This reflects the use of best available technology as recommended by the independent panel that investigated the Mount Polley breach.
Pretivm’s commercial production target for Brucejack is 2017.
Key Quotes:
Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett –
“I’d like to congratulate Pretivm for this significant achievement made possible through a tremendous amount of collaboration. With Brucejack, an unprecedented eight new mines have now opened or started construction since June 2011—an achievement unmatched by any other jurisdiction in Canada. This government continues to support mining investment in British Columbia, something that didn’t happen in the 1990s.”
Chairman and chief executive officer, Pretium Resources Inc., Robert Quartermain –
“We have always been excited by the prospect of Brucejack as a high-grade gold mine. Now we’re proud to demonstrate that as an underground gold mine with a small footprint, Brucejack can bring significant economic benefits to northern British Columbia with minimal environmental impact.”
Quick Facts:
- More than 30,000 people are employed in mining, mineral exploration, and related sectors. In 2001, the industry employed 14,700 people.
- Today, we are more than halfway towards achieving our job plan goals of eight new mines and nine mine expansions by 2015.
- There are over 30 major mine and expansion proposals currently in the environmental assessment and permitting processes.
- The Province is committed to sharing revenue with First Nations as a means to ensure they are partners in resource development, and as a means to create certainty on the land.
