Sessions split between Ajax, EA process

NEWS/ AJAX — There will be two types of information sessions on the Ajax mine proposal and environmental assessment process this week.

In response to an A.M. News question for clarification on this week’s sessions, Nicole Vinette of the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office says they will be split into Ajax information sessions that are part of the public comment period, and Environmental Assessment 101 workshops.

Here is Vinette’s explanation:

Ajax Info Sessions

“The Ajax Info Sessions are specific to the environmental assessment for the proposed Ajax Mine Project, and are in support of the 30-day public comment period on the changes to the information requirements for the environmental assessment of that project. The info sessions will have representatives from the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (to discuss the provincial EA of the proposed project), the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (to discuss the federal EA of the proposed project), as well as KGHM Ajax Mining Inc. and their technical consultants (to discuss details of the proposed project and answer technical questions). These sessions will be a great opportunity for the public to get detailed information and ask questions about the environmental assessment of the proposed Ajax Mine Project and the proposed project itself.”

EA 101 Workshops

“The purpose of the workshops is to provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn more about the environmental assessment process and how they can participate. These workshops will be more general in nature, and not specific to Ajax or any other project. Participants will have the opportunity to work in small groups to learn more about environmental assessment in B.C., engage with representatives from the both the B.C. Environmental Assessment Agency and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, and have their general EA questions answered.

“In the past, we’ve referred to the Info Sessions as “open houses,” but changed the name to better coordinate with our federal counterparts over at the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.”

The ‘info sessions’ are Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 25 and 26, from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Kamloops Coast Hotel and Conference Centre. The EA 101 Workshops are the same dates and place at 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.