The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
What is one to make of all of the environmental concerns surrounding the Reed mine between Snow Lake and Flin Flon? John Vincic, vice president of investor relations and corporate communications for Hudbay, offered the following statement: On the question of the caribou, it is correct that caribou are present in the region, it is not correct that caribou are or were present on the site of the Reed project. The migration and calving locations of these caribou are very well understood, based on research by Manitoba Conservation. None of the locations currently used by the caribou are affected by the construction or operation of Reed. The Reed Project will affect neither migration nor calving. The areas identified by Manitoba Conservation's large-scale caribou study as migration corridors and calving are outside the project site. The Reed herd are known to spend most of their time on the west side of Reed lake, which is two and half kilometres from the project site, with the highway and forest in between. Generally, with regard to environmental concerns, the Manitoba Director of Mines followed the Reed project approval process. The proposal was shared with all relevant officers of Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship and federal agencies and departments. We also consulted with the Regional Manager of Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship located in The Pas. The environmental baseline information for the Reed site is extensive and the report has been uploaded to the website of Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship. Hudbay has filed a closure plan, backed by financial assurance for the total cost of returning the site to pre-project conditions. At the end of mining, the site will be indistinguishable from other areas that have been cleared for use as picnic grounds or campsites. The Reed project site is 0.07 km2, approximately 0.003 per cent of the total area of the park Grass River Provincial Park (approximately 2,279 km2.) All permits relating to Reed have been granted according to the laws and regulations of the Province of Manitoba. The park is categorized for resource management under the Provincial Parks Designation Regulation. It is classified as a natural park that will accommodate commercial resources, including mining, where such activities do not compromise other park purposes. The Reed site is in an area of the Park which has not been developed for recreational purposes. Hudbay has offered to work with provincial officials to explore opportunities for alternative final uses of the Reed site that could enhance recreational use of the Grass River Provincial Park.
