Nearly 250 people attended New Gold’s Blackwater Project open houses, held May 6-14 in Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Burns Lake, Quesnel, Fort St. James and Prince George.
“The open houses were a great opportunity to meet with people and learn more about their family, business and community interests,” said New Gold Director of Environment and Sustainability Tim Bekhuys.
“They also provided us with important feedback we can use to design the project in a way that leaves lasting benefits to the region.”
At the open houses, participants expressed interest in jobs and contract opportunities, and asked questions about environmental management and local training initiatives.
Blackwater Project staff was on hand to answer questions and local businesses had the chance to add their names to a directory of potential suppliers New Gold is building to support local contracting.
In 2012, New Gold reports the company spent more than $100 million on goods and services
in the local region.
Following the environmental review process, New Gold expects to hire 1,000 to 1,500 (peak)
workers during construction and 500 full time workers to operate the mine.
The Blackwater Gold Project
New Gold’s Blackwater Gold Project is located along the northern flanks of Mt. Davidson in the Nechako Plateau, approximately 160 km southwest of Prince George and 110 km southwest of Vanderhoof.
The proposed mine is currently in the advanced exploration phase, with construction forecast to begin in 2015 and production in 2017.
The project is subject to a federal and provincial environmental review.