What’s old might become new again when it comes to mining in northern B.C.
After some new permits green lit the operation extension of the Mount Milligan mine near Fort Saint James, Centerra Gold is also entertaining the possible re-opening of the Kemess Mine, a facility that shut down operations since 2011.
A preliminary economic assessment was done by the company, which netted some positive results including advancing a pre-feasibility expected in 2027.
At the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George, Centerra Gold Vice President of Regulatory and Public Affairs, Karina Brino told reporters if the work gets to the finish line, Kemess could become the company’s second long-life gold-copper asset complementing Mount Milligan
“The that is important about Kemess is that because it is a brownfield operation, it can help unbox some of the other projects that are in the Toodoggone area as well. There are other projects that are in the cue as well.”
“Should everything go accordingly, we will have a 15-year mine life that will have a likely 500 head count in terms of employment.”
“Getting Kemess up and running again would bring the region into an active state,” added Brino.
She acknowledged to go into permitting that process would likely take a couple years while also eyeing a possible operation timeline of approximately 2030 or 2031.
While speaking during Wednesday’s Mount Milligan announcement, Centerra Gold President and CEO Paul Tomory stated the province’s improved permitting process gave them the confidence to get the ball rolling.
“This would be a mine that would be of a similar scale to Mount Milligan copper-gold, feeding the critical minerals industry and it also has decades of mine life potential. So, we, are now advancing engineering studies, which will leading to permitting activities to potentially re-open the Kemess Mine.”
“B.C. is probably the most prospective area for mineral development in North America. We get together at capital markets conferences there is always a buzz around B.C. – we are here after 10 months of one of the most efficient permitting processes I have ever been involved with.”
The facility is located 430 kilometres northwest of Prince George and 250 kilometres north of Smithers.
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