Work had barely started on the $440 million Northwest Transmission Line that is to run 355 km. north from Terrace before a protest by a small native band threatened to delay the long-waited project. The high-power line is expected to spark a number of major mining projects across the northeast, according to the Mining Association of B.C.

But this week the 900-member Gitanyow native band, one of several bands along the power line route, said it will not support the project because BC Hydro has not discussed issues ranging from wildlife protection to band compensation. Part of the electric line runs through Gitanyow territory. A statement from BC Hydro said negotiations with the band are continuing.

Some of the projects tied to completion of the Northwest Transmission Line, which will run north to Bob Quinn Lake, include:

Imperial Metals’ Red Chris gold-copper mine: A $443 million open-pit mine with a 30,000-tonne-per day capacity, employing 300 people during a 28-year life of the mine, which would be about 115 km. from Bob Quinn. The mine already has federal and provincial environmental approval.
NovaGold/Teck Resources’ Galore Creek gold-copper-silver mine: The $5 billion project, near Terrace, was put on hold in late 2007, but higher copper and gold prices are expected to revitalize the mine.
Fox Creek Metals’ Schaft Creek gold-copper mine: The $1.43 billion open pit mine has an estimated life of 15 to 22 years, employing 500 to 700 people. The mine is within 90 kilometres of Bob Quinn. The project is in the midst of a joint B.C.-Canada environmental assessment.
Capstone Mining Corp.’s Kutcho copper-zinc mine: The $187.3 million mine would generate about 150 full-time jobs. The project is in the preliminary stage of its environmental assessment.