Goldcorp seeks city land for road

Fim may develop open-pit mine

Posted By Chelsey Romain, The Daily Press

Goldcorp has yet to finalize plans for the old Hollinger Mine property, but the company is looking at property in Schumacher for a potential haulage road.

A report was presented to council's committee of the whole on Monday night about the possible sale of two parcels of surplus city land to the mining giant.

One of the properties is located just next to the Shania Twain Centre/Gold Mine Tour site, with the other near Gold Centre.

Coun. Bill Gvozdanovic raised some concern over the sale, since the parcel of land for the haulage road is close to a residential area.

"If a family is sleeping there, is the noise going to be enough to keep them up all night?" Gvozdanovic asked.

Goldcorp Hollinger Mine project manager Dave Bucar was in the audience Monday, and was called up by council to answer some of the questions raised.

Bucar said the plan with the haulage road would be to stay away from the homes in the area.

"We wanted the full block of property, so we can keep as many trees as possible to manage the dust and noise," Bucar said. "It is our intent to stay as far west as we can to keep that distance from the residents."

Looking at the second parcel of land, located just west of Vipond Rd., Coun. Pat Bamford wondered by it would be needed, unless it would be to fix up mine hazards.

"I don't mean to be picky, but it looks like a treed area," he said, questioning whether the area had marketable lumber that could be made available. "Could we make an arrangement with Goldcorp for small local businesses to make use of it?"

Development and community services director Mark Jensen said that the fenced-in area is filled with mine hazards Goldcorp would like to rehabilitate, but it is possible to have a discussion with the company in regards to marketable lumber. However, it may create more problems if the trees are removed.

"When you're dealing with a haulage road, you want to keep some of the timber up to help with the noise and dust control," Jensen said.

Council indicated it is happy with the work Goldcorp has been doing in the city, calling the company "excellent participants in the community."

"We need mines, even if they are in the middle of the community, so we can put people back to work," said Coun. Gary Scripnick.

Goldcorp is currently in the feasibility study stage of the project. Bucar has told The Daily Press, a decision to go ahead with construction could be made by the end of this year.

Should it go ahead, the property behind Hollinger Park and east toward Schumacher will be turned into an open pit operation.

Currently, the property is useless since it is covered in mining hazards.

"I'm very proud of what Goldcorp has done in relation to mining hazards," said Mayor Tom Laughren. "This community is blessed to have such a company here and we will definitely work with you."

The sale of the property will be up for approval during the regular council meeting on June 7.

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