Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review, announced the $812 million Kitsault mine project located 140 kilometres north of Prince Rupert has received its Mines Act permit.

Kitsault will employ approximately 700 people during a two-year construction period and 300 full-time workers during operations. Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. - a wholly owned subsidiary of Avanti Mining Inc. - is targeting 2015 to begin construction and 2017 for operations, and expects the molybdenum mine to produce 45,500 metric tonnes of ore per day during its 14-year mine life.

The project is located on Nisga’a traditional territory in the Nass Wildlife Area, and the Province and the Nisga’a are currently in discussions regarding an Economic and Community Development Agreement (ECDA). ECDAs are agreements between the Province and First Nations that support First Nations partnerships and create certainty on the land through the  sharing of direct mineral tax revenue on new mines and major mine expansions.

Avanti Kitsault Mining Ltd. was issued a provincial Environmental Assessment (EA) certificate for their Kitsault Mine on March 18, 2013 and a Federal EA decision is pending.

Since 2011, three new major mines have begun operations (Copper Mountain, New Afton and Mt. Milligan), creating over 1,200 new jobs, and three more mines will open this year (Yellow Giant, Red Chris and Roman) creating another 815 new jobs. In addition, four more mines are permitted (Bonanza Ledge, Treasure Mountain, Quintette and now Kitsault), and seven major expansions of existing mines have been completed, supporting 3,300 existing jobs. British Columbia currently has over 30 major mine and expansion project proposals moving through the environmental assessment and permitting process.

Quotes:

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review -

“This is a significant milestone for the Kitsault project and another indication that British Columbia’s mining industry has a strong future. I am eager to see production at Kitsault begin, which will provide up to 300 new, well-paying jobs for British Columbians.”

Quick Facts:

• An industry report pegs the value of the mining industry in British Columbia at $8 billion. In 2001, it was $2.8 billion.
• Today B.C. has 18 operating mines (eight coal and 10 metal). In 2001, there were 15 operating mines (seven coal and eight metal).
• B.C.’s mining industry and related minerals sectors employed over 30,000 people in 2013. In 2001, the industry employed 14,700 people.
• In 2013, the average mining salary (with benefits) was $112,000. In 2001, the average was $81,000.
• B.C is the first province in Canada to share direct revenue generated from mining with First Nations. Fourteen agreements have been reached and a number are under negotiation.
• Between 2011 and 2013, government increased the level of service to the mining industry and made significant improvements to permitting processes, including reducing the turnaround time for Notices of Work from 110 days to 55 days.

To learn more about the BC Jobs Plan, visit: www.bcjobsplan.ca/  

Media Contacts:

Jake Jacobs
Media Relations
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0628