‘Polite no’ to panel review on Ajax Mine

KAMLOOPS — Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq says without significant changes to the KGHM Ajax Mine plans, a panel review is unlikely.

Back in November, following a meeting between Mayor Peter Milobar and Aglukkaq, council reaffirmed support for asking for a panel review. A letter outlining concerns and the need to have the public voice better heard was sent in early December and earlier this month Aglukkaq responded.

“If changes to the project are brought forward, the (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency) and B.C.s Environmental Assessment Office will determine if the changes have any implications for the ongoing environmental assessment process,” she says in her response letter.

Milobar says he sees the letter as a rejection to the request.

“It sounds like a polite no, but that there's always the opportunity for (a panel review) if significant changes come up,” he says. “It's not sounding like they're rushing to implement.”

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.