Exploration work is continuing on the proposed Blackwater gold/silver Mine 112km south of Vanderhoof.
New Gold’s Blackwater project Director Tim Bekhuys says the company needs to finish construction on a mine in northern Ontario before breaking ground out west.
“At that point we would hope to have all of our permits in place and community support, first nations partners in place as well. We would look at moving towards breaking ground on Blackwater in early 2018.”
Over the past three years of exploration work at Blackwater, New Gold says they have not recorded a single lost time safety incident.
To celebrate, this month they will be making a $5,000 donation to Nechako Valley Search and Rescue.
“A lot of this could not have happened without the support of the local people. It’s been a great relationship with the local contractors and people that we have hired over the years there. We are really proud, it’s a big achievement for us.”
The mine will employ up to 1500 people during construction and 400 more over the 17 year life of the mine.
Bekhuys says New Gold has a series of open house events planned for Vanderhoof near the end of the year. Dates are still being finalized.