Without mining, Kamloops will perish
Editor:
Re: The June 15 letters on the proposed Ajax mine, penned by John Schleiermacher (‘Mining controversy’) and Mary Hill (‘It’s time to stop Ajax proposal before it begins’):
Both letter writers have very uninformed opinions of mining in Kamloops.
What they don’t realize is blasting already takes place in and around Kamloops.
The appropriate government bodies are aware, but the townsfolk of Kamloops have no idea this has been occurring for years.
Have we noticed any adverse affect? No.
Would we have the Coquihalla Highway and the ability to drive to the Coast if this constant blasting did not take place? As for comments regarding the tailings dam and it seeping into our water, again, these are statements that are wrong.
This will not happen.
Nor will the fish die, nor will the local forests perish.
There are people employed in Kamloops to ensure this does not happen. Do we want all these people to join the queue at the Kamloops Food Bank if mining were to cease?
Kamloops needs mining to survive as the local mill, prison and lottery headquarters are not enough to keep the city going.
The new Abacus mine will create more jobs than Highland Valley.
There are clauses in the creation of these mines and they are required to employ a large number of local people.
Imagine the infrastructure required from local Kamloops businesses to set up this mine.
How many business do we see closing on a weekly basis?
Imagine a large project helping Kamloops residents, rather than blaming a proposal for declining property values.
Our economy will pick up with new mines opening.
The proponents are not asking to create a mine on Victoria Street. They are asking to create a mine on the outskirts of town, which is where the pulp mill and other mines are located.
Take away the mines and watch what happens to the Kamloops economy and housing prices.
I am not employed in the mining industry, but I understand what happens to a town when mines are forced out due to total arrogance.
Rebecca Haskett
Kamloops
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