The proposed Ajax mine is too close
A major city mining entrepreneur is adding his voice to those who say the proposed Ajax mine is too close to Kamloops, while others caution it’s too early judge the proposal.
Ed Collett, who owns international mining equipment supplier Intequip and opened the city’s first commercial vineyard, said an open-pit mine immediately beside a city of 85,000 is a poor location.
“I have to agree with Richard Boyce (Steelworkers mine local president), it’s way too close to the city,” Collett said.
“There’s other ore deposits in B.C. We don’t have to destroy pristine areas that will never return.”
Boyce, who heads the union representing workers at Highland Valley Copper, announced at a public meeting this week that he opposes plans by KGHM-Ajax to reopen and expand the historic Ajax pit immediately south of Kamloops.
But United Steelworkers District 3 released a statement later in the week saying it does not join with Boyce. The union urged patience on the mine review process.
Kamloops Chamber of Commerce president Bob Dieno said business is taking a wait-and-see attitude.
“Our position is if the environmental reviews come back positive, we’ll support Ajax going in; it would be good for business,” Dieno said. “If they come back not in favour — we all live here, too.”