Hay River (Jan 22/07) - If a Jan. 16 public meeting is any indication, most people in Hay River support the idea of an underground test mine 45-kilometres east of town.

About 40 people showed up for the meeting to hear the lead/zinc project updated by Tamerlane Ventures Inc.

Well-known Hay River businessman Jack Rowe thinks the idea is great.

"We need something in the area to shore up the economy," he said.

Rowe added he did not hear any potential problems for the environment. "There are no red flags out there."

Plus, he said the mine would not only benefit Hay River, but also the Hay River Reserve, Fort Resolution and Fort Smith.

The idea has been around for a few years. The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board began looking at the proposal last year and a decision is expected in May or June.

Hay River Mayor John Pollard believes the mine would anchor the area's economy.

"I'm totally in favour of it," he said.

Pollard also thinks there is virtually no opposition to the mine in Hay River.

From a municipal services point of view, he said the town will watch closely as the project develops to ensure there is enough housing lots available for workers.

Patrick Clancy, a consultant on the project with K'atlodeeche First Nation on the Hay River Reserve, said he was happy to hear Tamerlane say aboriginal people would be first in line for work on the project.

"It's essential that First Nations get opportunities to get jobs," Clancy said.

Verda Tambour, KFN's treaty land entitlement and specific claims manager, noted the band has taken no official stance on whether it supports the mining project and is still gathering information.

David Swisher, a senior project manager with Tamerlane Ventures, said he was happy with the reaction of people at the Hay River meeting.

"I think people realize the project will provide a lot of opportunities to the area," Swisher said.

The company wants to mine a one-million-tonne lead/zinc sample on the west side of Buffalo River. The deposit is about 100 km west of Fort Resolution.

The test mine would assess technology, such as a freezing process to prevent water from flowing into the mine.

It would also involve transporting 500,000 tonnes of material to the railway at Hay River - 45 to 55 trucks each night on Highway 5.

Construction of the test mine would take 12 to 15 months and it would operate for another 12 to 15 months. It would require 50 to 70 workers to build and 100 to 140 people to operate.

If the test is successful, Tamerlane is looking to mine a further 70 million tonnes in 34 known deposits on the Pine Point property, east and west of Buffalo River. That would employ 250 to 400 people over 20 years.