September 11, 2009
MLA Rustad Predicts New Jobs with Local Mining Sector

VANDERHOOF- Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad sees major job creation with ongoing expansions in the local mining sector, including news of Mount Milligan Mine's provincial permit being approved.

“This is a file that I have been working on for quite awhile,” says Rustad. “Yesterday's announcement is a major step forward not only for Mt. Milligan Mine, but also for our region’s communities as it takes us one big step closer towards new, quality jobs.”

Terrane Metals is leading plans for a $900-million gold and copper mine at Mount Milligan, north of Fort St. James. The provincial government announced a Mines Act Permit has been issued by the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources following an extensive review. The permit marks a major milestone towards the operation of the mine site with construction activities expected to commence upon receipt of timber cutting and fisheries approvals.

Rustad pointed out that yesterday's announcement builds on other recent major developments in the region's mining sector such as the Huckleberry Mine southwest of Houston.

"We are also seeing Huckleberry Mine moving forward with an expansion into its Saddle Zone, providing for mill feed to extend milling operations to the end of 2011. It is expected that annual estimated copper production will be 40 million pounds per year with that latest development," says Rustad. "That means huge benefits with quality jobs, helping families to stay in the region while attracting new residents to settle here, creating all sorts of economic spin-off that aids other industries right here in our own backyard and across the province."

During a recent address to the Legislature, Rustad outlined the tremendous economic benefits that the mining industry is bringing to Nechako Lakes communities.

“Mount Milligan will create 350 to 400 full-time jobs and over a thousand jobs once you consider the spinoff effects,” said Rustad in his speech. “If you think about what that means for our economy, if you think about what that means for the area…. We've got Mount Milligan that's ready to go. We've got the TTM project that is moving ahead. I have Endako Mines that is in operation and is going to expand to more than double its mining operations. We also have the Huckleberry project that is in my riding. Think about all of that potential generation in terms of what that means for the province.”

“Mining is huge. It needs to go ahead, but it will only go ahead if we have the right environment, if we as a government set the right policies in place to be able to track those dollars and to move those projects forward. That's what the 2009 budget and the throne speech lay out for this province,” concluded Rustad in his remarks.

-30-