Fort Simpson (May 19/06) - Work on a $5.7 million exploration and development program has started at Prairie Creek Mine.

The Canadian Zinc mine reopened for the 2006 season in mid-April.

"We are looking forward to a very active season," John Kearney, chairman of Canadian Zinc said.

The company was granted a land use permit for its phase three exploration drilling program. The permit allows for surface exploration and diamond drilling for up to 60 sites anywhere on the 7,280 hectare property. Surface drilling will start by June 15, Kearney said.

An underground drilling program will be the main focus for the season. Procon Mining and Tunnelling Limited has been contracted to drive a decline, like a ramp, approximately 500 metres long. From the decline, underground drilling will be done to obtain a better understanding of the geology in specific areas, Kearney said.

Support for the mine is strong and growing among communities in the Deh Cho, Kearney said. Discussions over the mine are being established in the communities.

"We would like to have their blessing preferably, their support preferably," Kearney said. "The last thing we want to do is push ahead in the face of total opposition."

While there are still concerns in the communities over the mine and how it relates to conservation and the expansion of the Nahanni National Park Reserve, Kearney said the main opposition for the mine has come from outside organizations such as the park's community and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS).

CPAWS disagrees with the mine because it is not compatible with the values of conservation, said Jennifer Morin, the senior conservation co-ordinator with the society.

"This is a risky project in a bad location right up against the park. Long term, it's asking for trouble," Morin said.

Concern in the communities is stronger than opposition, countered Grand Chief Herb Norwegian of the Dehcho First Nations.

"The concern list outweighs the opposition by a long haul," Norwegian said.

The Dehcho First Nations' view on the mine hasn't changed.

The mine should be shut down and taken out of the watershed, Norwegian said.

At this point, Norwegian said he can't see a way for the mine, the communities and the conservation goals to co-exist.

There would have to be clear resolutions on the Deh Cho Process, the Deh Cho Land Use Plan and full protection of the Nahanni watershed before stable economic development could be discussed, he said.

"They are going to be scrutinized through the whole process," Norwegian said about Canadian Zinc.

The mine, which by definition will only be around for a short period of time, and the Nahanni National Park Reserve which will exist forever, can co-exist, Kearney said.

"We believe the mine can be developed in a manner that recognizes the conservation issues," he said.

So far, five environmental assessments relating to the mine have been conducted by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board.

Two environmental monitors will be hired this season from Fort Liard and Fort Simpson as part of the agreement for the drilling permit, Dan O'Rourke, community and northern affairs advocate with Canadian Zinc, said.

The mine is also working with the NWT Mine Training Society to run a certificate program at the mine site during July and August. The goal is to train two people from each of the four communities in the mine area, O'Rourke said.