Residents gathered at the Yellowknife Ski Club meeting hall on Wednesday evening to receive an update from Gold Terra executives regarding their plans to revive gold mining activities at the former Con Mine site located at the city’s southern perimeter.
During the meeting, CEO Gerald Panneton presented the latest progress, highlighting ongoing drilling activities at Tin Can Hill and within the old mine’s tailings pond. Additionally, Panneton outlined the company’s intention to continue exploration drilling at Walsh Lake, situated just north of Yellowknife, once the lake freezes in the winter.
Panneton expressed optimism about the potential of Con Mine, emphasizing the reusability of two existing mine shafts and citing the favorable current gold price exceeding $4,000 US per ounce as a significant factor driving the company’s revival efforts.
Concerns raised by attendees primarily focused on the power supply for the mine, considering the city’s strained electricity infrastructure, the impact of construction and operations on the local community’s quality of life, employment opportunities for residents, and housing arrangements for new workers amidst the city’s housing crisis.
In response, Panneton outlined plans for the mine to self-generate power using LNG, assured that technological advancements and geological considerations would mitigate environmental risks, and confirmed ongoing assessments for worker accommodation. The company aims for a permit by 2027, followed by a 12 to 16-month construction period before commencing mining operations, with a projected mine lifespan exceeding 20 years.
Local resident Steven Thomson, residing near the Con Mine, attended the meeting seeking clarity on the company’s overall strategy and expressed satisfaction with the information provided, noting the importance of responsible mining practices.
Mining engineer Kudzai Henry Mabika, present at the meeting, emphasized the need for Gold Terra to address community concerns regarding arsenic pollution from past mining activities, highlighting the importance of avoiding past mistakes to gain public trust and ensure environmental protection.
