TUESDAY JULY 28, 2015
VERTICAL DANCE
LOIS CREEK TRAILS
August performance planned.
Another project completed by Friends of Lois Creek
See LOCAL NEWS page 3
See LOCAL NEWS page 4
BUTTERFLY
BOARDWALK
THE BULLETIN PROUDLY SERVING KIMBERLEY AND AREA SINCE 1932 | Vol. 83, Issue 144 | www.dailybulletin.ca
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CAROLYN GRANT PHOTO
The massive solar trackers turn their faces to an elusive sun at the grand opening of Kimberley’s SunMine on Monday, July 27.
Kimberley is mining the sun
C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor
The theme from Space Odyssey came through the loud speakers, as — almost soundlessly — the 96 solar trackers that make up Kimberley’s SunMine turned their faces to the sun. Kimberley’s SunMine is now officially supplying power into the BC Hydro grid. That occasion was celebrated on Monday, June 27 with a brief ceremony at the SunMine, located on the old Sullivan Mine concentrator site. The fact that the site has transitioned from the concentrator of a massive lead zinc mine into a site producing clean solar power did not go unmentioned by the many dignitaries
present. Aq’Am First Nation Chief Jim Whitehead welcomed one and all to its traditional territory. Mayor Don McCormick said that the SunMine is first and foremost a symbol of Kimberley’s resilience after the Sullivan Mine shut down. “Many people believed Kimberley would die, but people worked hard not just to survive but to thrive. When Eco Smart visited in 2008 looking at partnering on the SunMine, Mayor Jim Ogilvie saw the value in demonstrating that Kimberley continued to be an innovative, relevant community. The 2011 referendum on the SunMine got 76 per cent support. Now it’s time to make hay while the sun
shines.” McCormick said that it was a project that required patience, having had five partners, three mayors and 18 contracts. “Early returns are already exceeding expectations,” he said. “We are open for business.” “This is special for the province of British Columbia,” said Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett. “It’s the first solar project feeding into the grid. But it won’t be the last.” Bennett called the fact that an old mine property was producing clean energy, “a beautiful symmetry”, and said it was emblematic of the province’s ten year effort to grow clean energy. Teck President and CEO Don Lindsay said
CAROLYN GRANT PHOTO
Kimberley’s Mayor Don McCormick turns the switch on the SunMine while Don Lindsay, President of Teck, Jim Whitehead, Chief of the Aqu’Am First Nation, Rick Jensen of Columbia Basin Trust and Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett look on. Missing from the photo is Michel de Spot of Eco Smart. that the SunMine marked the next chapter in the 100 plus years since Pat Sullivan staked his claim. “Teck is thrilled to
have the opportunity to support this unique project. It fits with our goals of supporting sustainable communities after the mining ceases
and supporting the growth of clean energy. “Kimberley is at the forefront in solar energy. Kimberley’s greatest resource has always been
its people. We are very excited to support a new era of resource development in Kimberley.” See SUNMINE, page 4