May 1, 2015, BATHURST (GNB) – The province’s economy will soon benefit from the establishment of a zinc mining operation near Bathurst which has received support from Opportunities NB, Premier Brian Gallant announced today.
“We are focused on creating jobs in New Brunswick,” said Gallant. “To do so, we have a diversified approach, which includes the responsible development of our natural resources. This project will help the provincial economy, all the while creating jobs in the north.”
Opportunities NB has supported the creation of 89 of the close to 300 jobs that have been created at the mine, as well as the establishment of vital communications infrastructure.
Trevali Mining Corp. of Vancouver is a zinc-focused, base metals mining company with operations in Canada and Peru. It owns the Caribou mine and mill, the Halfmile mine and Stratmat deposit all located in the Bathurst Mining Camp.
The company is currently advancing its 3,000 tonne per day Caribou mill complex and mine. Start-up production is expected to begin later this year.
“This project involves a rich zinc deposit,” said Natural Resources Minister Denis Landry. “About one million tonnes of mineralized material is available for production. The economic benefits to the region will be long-term.”
The provincial government is providing a $150,000 investment towards infrastructure and a $150,000 forgivable loan from Opportunities NB in support of job creation.
“As we are about to begin production at our Caribou Mine here in the Bathurst Mining Camp, we are very appreciative of the support for the new fiber-optic data and communications infrastructure,” said Mark Cruise, president and CEO of Trevali Mining Corp. “The initiative allowed us to maintain our operational schedule for the mine where about 300 people are currently employed.”
The project is expected to increase the provincial GDP by about $54 million annually once all the positions have been filled.
From left: Natural Resources Minister Denis Landry; Paul Keller, chief operating officer, Trevali Mining Corp.; Gallant; Restigouche-Chaleur MLA Daniel Guitard; Environment and Local Government Minister Brian Kenny; and Stephen Lund, CEO of Opportunities NB.
MEDIA CONTACT(S):
Shawn Berry, press secretary, Office of the Premier, 506-453-2144.
Elaine Bell, communications, Opportunities NB, 506-453-8607.
