Brian Battison, Taseko Mines Ltd. corporate affairs vice-president, visited 100 Mile House on April 5 to talk about its New Prosperity Mine proposal to mine the largest gold-copper deposit in Canada located west of Williams Lake.
He met with the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of 100 Mile House and others to discuss potential benefits the large mine would bring to the region, including the South Cariboo.
If the mine project gets the required federal approval to proceed, the first of these benefits will come in the form of initial employment, followed by long-term job creation and the associated development of business opportunity, he says.
“It’s 700 people working for two years around the clock, essentially, to build it. And once up and operating, it’s roughly 500 direct employees.”
Battison notes he is aware of the existence of about 80 residents of 100 Mile House who are trained in regular mining activities who could fill some of these jobs.
The mine would generate approximately 3,000 direct and indirect jobs, he adds.
“There’s camp to build out there; we’ve essentially been building a hotel … and all of the services you would expect at a hotel will be required at New Prosperity.”
This includes everything from housekeeping and laundry to janitorial service, he says, adding companies providing mine supplies can reap significant sales.
“Just as there was during the gold rush, it was those [suppliers] who are the people who make a lot of money.”
Some of these may potentially be in the 100 Mile House area, Battison explains, depending on what mining needs can be filled here.
There is potential employment for “lots of unskilled labour” at the proposed mine, particularly around the camp, he says, adding the skilled jobs include equipment operators and truck drivers, which are not specifically mining jobs.
Then the influx of experts required to run the mine will further boost the economy by bringing in more people to live in the area, Battison notes.
Becoming part of a community and standing together with people who support and understand the company’s mission is key to its success, he explains, including its ability to attract the necessary specialists.
“If local communities are successful, we’ll be successful.”
With its plan for a live-in camp for employees during the workweek, Battison says the shift schedule is also important to “encourage local living.”
The work is planned to begin on a short shift schedule of three to four days, he explains, because that won’t allow time for people to live in cities, such as Vancouver or Calgary, to commute like they might on a seven-days on, seven-days off timetable.
Furthermore, the company plans to transport workers from Williams Lake and potentially other communities.
“Our intention is to bus people out there because one of the First Nation’s concerns was increased traffic in the area.”
While it hasn’t yet been determined if it will pick up workers in 100 Mile House, Battison notes there may be local entrepreneurs who wish to arrange to transport workers to meet the mine’s bus.
He adds the “enormous” opportunity the mine offers includes making “other things possible” for the region’s economy.
“We want people to live locally, and raise their families locally, and that makes stronger communities.
“Stronger communities are better for us because we can attract people … those we need to attract, make them part of the local fabric, buying homes, building new homes, that kind of thing.”
