We have been looking into the effects and consequences of hardrock mines, and copper mines in particular. Here are five short fact sheets we have found or compiled (all files are PDFs):
Courtesy of the First Nations Environmental Health Innovation Network:
Compiled from other sources:
Download all five in a ZIP file by clicking here. (550 K)
Photo Left: Catface Mountain, Clayoquot Sound Right: Selkirk Metals drilling core samples on Catface, summer 2008
Imperial Metals of Vancouver is undertaking a second round of exploratory drilling (22 drill holes) on Catface Mountain from spring to fall 2010. Imperial Metals took over ownership and drilling from Selkirk Metals, a junior exploration company that merged with Imperial in November 2009.
Imperial’s exploration is reviving the possibility of a huge open-pit copper mine on Catface Mountain in Clayoquot Sound. Imperial says it will decide in the next year or two whether to apply for a mine.
In summer 2008, Selkirk drilled 8 core samples near the top of the mountain. According to the company’s news releases, analysis of 6 of the cores yielded averages of 0.16% to 0.45% copper content. These assay results confirmed what is already known from Falconbridge’s 1960-1989 exploration: that Catface contains a low-grade copper molybdenum deposit (about 0.4% copper), with trace amounts of silver and gold.
There is widespread local opposition to the possibility of a destructive mine in the ecologically sensitive UNESCO Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, within view of the tourist town of Tofino.
We cannot let the colossal blunder of a copper mine that would remove the top third of Catface Mountain happen! Help us stop the mine!
Friends of Clayoquot Sound
PO Box 489, 331 Neill St., Tofino BC V0R 2Z0
Tel: 250-725-4218 Fax: 250-725-2527
Email: info@focs.ca
Backgrounders
Fact sheet about potential Catface Mine
Maps
Location of Catface Mt. in Clayoquot Sound
Map of potential copper mine (PDF file)
Copper Mining Overview
Copper Mining -- a Primer (PDF)
Reports
Catface Drill Results -- Summer 2008 (PDF)
Articles
Catface Exploratory Drilling 2008 (PDF)
More Catface Drilling -- Selkirk & Imperial Merge 2009 (PDF)
