The Kitsault mine has the go ahead to begin construction after receiving its Mines Act Permit.
Minister of Energy and Mines, Bill Bennett says the mine will create employment for hundreds of people.
“It’ll take 700 people to build it an it’ll take two years so there’s a lot of good construction jobs. And then once it is built it will take between 300 and 350 highly paid people to operate the mine. Many of those people will be First Nations people from the area, certainly people in the Northwest, Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Terrace, Smithers will all have opportunities because of this mine.”
The mine is located on traditional Nisga’a territory, and Bennett says the company have worked hard with the Nisga’a to ensure the mine benefits local residents.
Construction is slated to begin in 2015 with operations starting in 2017.