Ajax - First Nations' Folly, Business Loss & More No Propaganda

In reviewing my daily Ajax inflow of data a few current points came to mind. There is a community of NO within our community, no matter what is put forward they show up with predictable rhetoric that would have one believe that this time the sky really was falling down. On the Ajax issue, they are alive and engaged. There are people who have legitimate concerns, the Aberdeen residents and other proximal residents have been active here as they perceive the potential for negative impacts. There are the First Nation’s issues coming to the fore. However, the community of no have once again ignited can’t do spirit and they seem to be gaining ground, like the political negative campaign; it is very hard to counter.  

The benefits of Ajax are there, however, they are held juxtaposed to video of a mushroom cloud of red dust begging the observer to “imagine what’s in there”, a fear campaign that makes astrology look credible. That image is in no way indicative of would could be done at Ajax if proper mitigation were in place.

MY PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE

When going to college I took a job putting in swimming pools, in one instance the pool had to go where solid rock was – right beside a house in a residential subdivision – the blaster drilled and blasted a hole with no ill affect on surrounding homes. I know people who have spent their entire lives working right in mines – in the mills that process the ore, who have lived long and healthy lives. I’ve spent my life around the land and seen nature manage most everything with time. Are there things to be concerned about with Ajax yes, the key is to ensure they’re managed properly and they can be.

To Mel Rothenburger’s point with respect to the press in his recent post, the press has been somewhat creditable I can grant him that, with respect to the hyperbolic NO propaganda I have to give a thumbs down. The NO community within a community, were effective here at curtailing what could have been a regional draw in the form of a waterfront hotel and conference center and now they are at work without reserve on Ajax. Thanks in large measure to their efforts, until recently we were losing our young people to other jurisdictions where opportunity exists. The out migration never slowed because of efforts in Kamloops, it slowed because falling oil prices and more folly elsewhere causing a general state of reduced opportunity. Mel’s right, this issue is toxic, so much so I had to put it away for a while – then I remembered, I believed if managed properly the mine can be net positive for Kamloops, so someone has to say Yes, and resurrect the CAN DO SPIRIT.

MY PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE

I would encourage the First Nations people to look closely here, as it is emblematic of a lot that is going on around the province. Ask yourselves, is my life better than it was when the treaty process started 20 odd years ago. Look around, are the First Nations people’s living standards at par with the rest of the population. Exactly who has benefited from 20 years of court battles, supreme court decisions that have cemented conflict into First Nations’ interface with the non-native community. You know the First Nations’ interest have yet to be served, you know the people who rely on the land for a livelihood have been restricted or have lost opportunity. So who is benefiting? If I were a member of the First Nations’ community, the next time the environmental movement comes looking for an ally, I would ask them to show me a living standard at par with the rest of the population or get lost, but that’s just me I guess.

Ajax if done quickly, and under the direction of an operating agreement that ensures the city’s interests are addressed with veto rights on some operation imperatives, can result in a good outcome for us here. If managed properly, in what amounts to a very short time in the context of the city’s life; there can be a premium land development left there, with an enhanced environmental circumstance. We should have an open mind, there could be a better Goose Lake around the corner. We need all the opportunity we can get in Kamloops. If Ajax happens properly in few years, the tourism industry will be unscathed, TRU will be bigger and better financed and Kamloops will prosper – one can only hope.  

More Thinking on the Subject

CLICK THE LINKS BELOW

Ajax - First Thoughts

Ajax - Rebuttal to Dennis Walsh's OPED in Kamloops this Week

Ajax - Rebuttal to Mel Rothenburger

Ajax Mine - Response to Kamloops Strong & Klean

MY PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE

Since the Ajax Mine proposal was introduced into the Kamloops narrative the “NO” side has been extremely vocal; to their credit many have spoken out clearly on what they believe and valid points have been made. Many on the other hand have engaged in rhetoric that is as hyperbolic as it is inaccurate; that is where I have been challenged with the discourse. I am unsure how the numbers shake out for or against, but it was my perception many in the business community want it and remain “silent” to avoid the ire of the no side.

The British Columbia mining industry has been a very successful industry when benchmarked to world standards. The mining act and accompanying regulation are very sensitive to environmental concern. I am unsure how you define self-regulated? I think the fact that there are provincial inspection personnel and requirements for a plethora of government personal to oversee the creation and operation of a mine suggests government oversight. The Prosperity mine invested in the neighborhood of $500 million in processing their application only to have it refused.

Mining is a provincial jurisdictional concern; this has been the case since we joined confederation. We need to ensure that we retain the right to manage our own backyard. The last thing we need is to have another layer of government impairing us from doing what we want, people turn to extra review processes to obstruct rather than seek rightful process. I know you’re in the real estate business, look what is required for a subdivision, mines are much more difficult to process. The environmental processes in place now are effective and for the most part the industry has an excellent track record.

One takes your point regarding image for the city, the fact is we had Afton operate for years and hardly knew it was there. The reclamation work done at Afton is excellent, and with new technologies and planning for the future, we could do a better job.

“It helps some times to begin with the end in mind - imagine if you will a time line requirement of, say, 25 years, from the beginning of mining to full extraction of all valued minerals; at the close of mining activates the city can plan for a residential development to replace the mine site. With this in mind, a model residential development site could be part and parcel of the mining process. So rather than a rectangular pile of rock as a tailings pile, the site could be sculpted perfectly to suite residential lots. Lots, with the perfect southern exposure, a sculpted lake, a geothermal complex for community heating and perhaps a nine hole executive golf course. The point here is, that what some perceive as destruction can be managed to provision a superior outcome if that outcome is planned for. I offer the residential development for thought, only because, that is what likely would have happened anyway. “

It is about a hell of a lot more than “Jobs”, it is about providing lives for young families – in Kamloops we under perform in providing strong employment for young people. I frequent a fast food restaurant because it is the only one open at 4 am, the caliber of young people there in the middle of the night tells me we have to do better. I can assure you, if we are aggressive in holding the mining company to account, if we instate a long term operating agreement that protects our interests and we narrow the extracting window, we can have the prosperity from the mine AND something of value at the end.    

Thank you for taking an interest in the issue, it is an important one.

MY PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE

Additional Comments

Mount Polley was a unfortunate occurrence, it was also anomalous. The vast majority of the 1000s of tailing facilities used over BC history have been sound and well engineered. With respect to Ajax, the sensitivity to the issue is higher now than before and the lay of the land is different - the tailing facility offers very little risk. I would never suggest anyone trust anyone with important interests, that is why since the proposal first came to my attention I advocated for a long term operating agreement between the mine and the city, so the city could hold in effect a operational veto should agreed practices be breached. I am unable to speculate on what Kelowna might do, what is relevant to me is whether we can extract the benefit from the operation for the region, have an agreeable circumstance through as limited operating duration as possible and be left with an asset - I believe we can. We need to be aggressive in seeing to our interests.

Kamloops Ajax Mine

Ajax – Opportunity for Kamloops

PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR LETTERS TO POLITICIANS  

Inverine Consultancy - Neil E. Thomson 
https://sites.google.com/site/inverine/home

The Ajax mine proposal has been a controversial issue in the Kamloops community. Kamloops splits down the middle on issues like Ajax, although this time there apparently is more than political concerns at play, in fact, some odd bedfellows have been made. Even labour representation has been cleaved locally, with some government labour opposing and industrial labour supporting the project. The business community in the main  favours the project, at least tacitly, few are willing to expose their bottom line to the wrath of the opposition. Regardless of who “wins” one of two things are for sure to be, it will happen or it won't, if it doesn't happen then the City will carry on, if it does happen the city will carry on – if it does happen however, the city needs to have influence over operational practices of the mine; this should provide the motivation for our city leadership to manage the execution of the project NOW.  

Where the residential area ends and the grasslands begin, there exists essentially the same ecosystem, save of course the residential area has houses on it, which will be the case in the future for the proposed mine site, regardless if it is mined or not.

It helps some times to begin with the end in mind, that is to say in this case, the one option – no mine – is business as usual, the other option – a mine – generates another outcome. So for a moment let’s contemplate the best possible outcome of the mine project being implemented. Assuming that all the concerns related to water, air, property values and visual quality are satisfied and the mine proceeds, what might we do as a community to have something left there that is an asset, rather than just an old mine; notwithstanding the known legislated reclamation requirements.

Imagine if you will a time line requirement of, say, 25 years, from the beginning of mining to full extraction of all valued minerals; at the close of mining activates the city can plan for a residential development to replace the mine site. With this in mind, a model residential development site could be part and parcel of the mining process. So rather than a rectangular pile of rock as a tailings pile, the site could be sculpted perfectly to suite residential lots. Lots, with the perfect southern exposure, a sculpted lake, a geothermal complex for community heating and perhaps a nine hole executive golf course. The point here is, that what some perceive as destruction can be managed to provision a superior outcome if that outcome is planned for. I offer the residential development for thought, only because, that is what would have happened anyway.

There are legitimate concerns for any project of this type and size, so we do need to be vigilant to see that the citizenry of Kamloops interests are cared for. The proximity of operation to a large center is somewhat unique and requires special interface to facilitate a successful outcome. The City of Kamloops has to be firm in demanding a seat at the table and demand of the provincial and federal governments the development of a Long Term Operating Agreement, that spells out clearly what the City’s expectations are AND provision the City with a “veto” style intervention capacity should expectations at any point in the future fail to be met.

There has been a lot of verbiage offered by the people opposed to the project with respect to City Image; implying that the presence of the mine would start us down the path to an industrial wasteland rather that an enlightened university town. I invite people to drive from Ashcroft to Logan Lake, you will pass by a very large mining operation and, if you’re honest, you will have to admit you hardly noticed. In fact, the “tailings pond” is kind of pretty, with an azure hue – it is really un-offensive. There is no real detriment to the City’s image from the mine, we had a mine nearby for years and it went nearly unnoticed.   

Here is the economic reality of Kamloops, we under perform in providing meaningful employment for our young people. I frequent the same restaurant every morning for coffee, the caliber of young people I meet working there, for a pretty dismal wage, is staggering. The opposition to the mine is coming from people who are established, union people with jobs, medical professionals with jobs and environmentalists, most of whom have jobs or are the beneficiary of generous pension plans. Consider Frank & Sally, living in an apartment grinding for a low wage, they have two kids and need a life too. I want the young people of Kamloops to have a reason to stay; the chronic resistance to development from some quarters in the city is nothing short of selfish. We simply have to do better.

There is a large bank of base data on relative real estate values for various areas of the city, we can easily determine if residents home values are affected. We can then establish as a part of a Long Term Operating Agreement the monitoring of home values and have as a term and condition of operation for the mine, the mitigation of losses incurred. We also, more than any other community due to the pulp mill monitoring over the years, have base data with respect to particulate and air quality in general. Once again, it is a matter of setting limits agreeable to the City with respect to air quality as a part of a Long Term Operating Agreement.

I believe this project is manageable in the context of Kamloops present quality of life and has the potential in the end to enhance quality of life, the City needs however; to take aggressive measures to design the interface between itself and other concerned parties – NOW.       

See Letter to Terry Lake Below. 

Neil E. Thomson

#8 – 3031 Westsyde Road Kamloops BC, V2B 0E4

250-318-6285, nthomson2@hotmail.com

January 9, 2012

Honourable Dr. Terry Lake

PO BOX 9047 STN PROV GOVT

VICTORIA BC

V8W 9E2

Telephone: 250 387-1187 Fax: 250 387-1356

Sent Via Email to: env.minister@gov.bc.ca, terry.lake.mla@leg.bc.ca

Dear Dr. Lake,

RE: Ajax Mine

As I know you’re aware, the economic expansion the Ajax Mine represents for the Kamloops and area is significant. It is my opinion the negative effects from the mine’s operation; air quality, visual quality and audible intrusion are all able to be mitigated. Detailed discourse with respect to the project is outside the scope of this communication, it suffice to say that, should you be counting supports and nay sayers - as it is wise to do as an elected Politician – you have a supporter here for the mine and of the BC Liberals.

It is my opinion that the pursuit of a federal review panel on the part of some parties is an act of obstruction rather that a legitimate attempt at good process. Further, British Columbia needs to rebuke strongly the perpetual advancement into provincial affairs by the federal government. The federal government’s processes have intruded and arrested several projects of late, this is a trend that must be challenged; I believe your actions have been consistent with this concern to date.

It is my assessment that the federal government is eager to collapse the layers of government that are responsible for redundancy and moving decision making away from the point of action and that if the province asserts itself, the provincial government will be permitted to administer its own back yard.

For Kamloops, the key consideration in interfacing with the mine operations should be the creation of a stakeholder mine oversight board at which the City of Kamloops has strong representation, this board in conjunction with an Extended Term Operating Agreement between mine ownership, the provincial government and the City would provide a means to secure the interests of Kamloops citizens throughout the mines operation.

I have contacted federal government members expressing my support of the project should you be interested in copies of correspondence.

Thank you for your leadership on this matter.

Sincerely,

Neil E. Thomson

Letter to Peter Kent

Neil E. Thomson

#8 – 3031 Westsyde Road Kamloops BC, V2B 0E4

250-318-6285, nthomson2@hotmail.com

December 2, 2011

Honourable Peter Kent

401 Confederation Building

House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario. K1A 0A6

SENT BY EMAIL TO: kentp@parl.gc.ca

Dear Sir,

Thank you for accommodating our Kamloops political representatives and allowing them to air their views on the matter of the Ajax Mine.

The Kamloops area's economy has a "newly" (since the 1980) diversified economy. However, many of our young people are grossly underemployed and employment opportunities of substance are wanting. The overall economic benefit promised by the Ajax Mine for Kamloops and region is most necessary.

For several years another mine operated only slightly further away from the city as the proposed operation, in fact the proposed mine is an adjunct to the old mine. The old mine offered no perceivable negative impact on the residents of Kamloops and its aftermath is certainly tolerable.

There is another mine in the region located near Logan Lake that provides considerable economic benefit for Kamloops and area. Their ore reserves are becoming depleted; this reality will threaten their viability in the near term and likely result in a closure in the medium term.

The people detracting from the mines operation have valid concerns, if one can manage to filter through the rhetoric. The primary opposition is emanating from residents concerned that their property values are going to be negatively affected. If said residents had their market concerns appropriately addressed they would likely be more agreeable. Of course there is concern for noise and vibration, when you tour the site you will understand from the lay of the land that these concerns while valid, are unwarranted.

The environment movement's concerns are largely preservationist concerns, it hard to imagine any real environment concerns from the perspective of bio diversity and the like. There are mitigation opportunities for any of the legitimate concerns related to air quality, visual quality (tourism concern) or impact on the watershed.

For all the reasons aforementioned, the mine project nets out positive. There needs to be strict monitoring and an Extended Term Operating Agreement that involves the City in ongoing monitoring and control of the operation. An Extended Term Operation Agreement with teeth, that enforces effective compliance with agreed operational modalities.

Mining falls squarely in provincial jurisdiction; I take offense at the federal government involving itself in these sorts of decisions. We keep applying layer upon layer of byzantine process and moving decision making further from the point of action, this trend is alarming. May I remind you where your political bread is buttered, we have lost one mining project to federal review already. The last thing we need is more review, whatever leverage the federal government has in this matter should be directed to ensuring stakeholder oversight of operations, as opposed to pandering to obstructive elements.

I am looking forward to your leadership on this issue, thank you for your good service to date.

Sincerely,

Neil E. Thomson CC:
Cathy McLeod MP Mayor Peter Milobar Senator Nancy Greene Raine