Fort Resolution (Aug 21/06) - People in two South Slave communities had a chance last week to pose the questions they want answered during the upcoming environmental review of a proposed underground test mine at Pine Point.

The so-called "scoping sessions" by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board were held in Fort Resolution and on the Hay River Reserve.

Paul Boucher, left, the community negotiator with Deninu Ku'e First Nation, and Fort Resolution Metis Council president Lloyd Cardinal, listen to comments at an Aug. 17 meeting for the upcoming environmental review of a test mine on the Pine Point property. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

In Fort Resolution on Aug. 17, about 25 residents posed questions and expressed concerns to the board and the proponent, Tamerlane Ventures Inc.

The company wants to mine a one million-tonne lead/zinc sample from the R-190 deposit, located about 48 kilometres east of Hay River and about 100 km west of Fort Resolution.

Lloyd Cardinal, the president of the Fort Resolution Metis Council, bluntly said that if the community does not benefit from the project, it would not go ahead.

Cardinal accused the company of not respecting Fort Resolution.

"In Hay River, they were getting estimates for future contracts," he said following the meeting. "Again, they bypassed Fort Resolution."

Cardinal said the proposal is "leading down that same path" as previous mining operations at Pine Point, when Fort Resolution did not benefit to a large extent.

However, David Swisher, a senior project manager with Tamerlane Ventures Inc., said the company is not at the point of looking for contracts.

The company "absolutely" has total respect for Fort Resolution, he added.

"I feel we've come a long ways to develop a relationship and we look forward to continuing to develop a relationship with all the parties."

Swisher said there would be a lot of benefits for Fort Resolution.

"Certainly there'll be job opportunities. There'll be opportunities in specific businesses throughout the communities."

Jim Villeneuve asked about effects of 30-40 trucks using the paved highway from Hay River to Pine Point every day for a year.

"That's the only thing we got out of Pine Point," said Villeneuve, while suggesting the rail line from Hay River to Pine Point should be rebuilt.

However, the Tamerlane representatives said that cost about $1 million per kilometre of rail line.

Once a permit is given, the company hopes to start work right away. Preparation of infrastructure would take 12-15 months, followed by 12-15 months of mining.

The previous mining operations at Pine Point shut down in the 1980s.