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SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 | Volume 32 No. 77
WEDNESDAY
CELEBRATE
FOREST WEEK WITH KTW ON PAGE B1
THWARTING THREATS
Federal Election
SD73 is looking at different ways after a flurry of incidents
TODAY’S WEATHER Periods of rain High 18 C Low 8 C
CAMPAIGN COVERAGE The latest candidate profile and more news from the hustings
Oct. 21, 2019 NEWS/A11-A13
NEWS/A3
ABACUS CLAIMS IT IS WORKING TO REVIVE AJAX MINE PROJECT KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK
Decals reminding commuters to pay attention when crossing railway tracks have been added to crossings in Kamloops. MICHAEL POTESTIO/KTW
2019 RAIL SAFETY WEEK
Look, listen, live is the message MICHAEL POTESTIO
STAFF REPORTER
michael@kamloopsthisweek.com
Eight new warning decals have been placed at two Kamloops train crossings thanks to Operation Lifesavers Canada. On Monday, dignitaries unveiled one of four yellow triangular signs with the message
“Look, Listen, Live” that now grace the pavement at the Third Avenue train crossing near the Canadian Pacific Railway yard — marking the first day of Rail Safety Week and the latest series of train safety videos from Operation Lifesavers Canada’s #STOPTrackTragedies campaign. Four other decals have been painted at the Lorne Street
crossing downtown, east of Sandman Centre. “Our hope is that when pedestrians, cyclists and drivers see these decals at the crossing, they’ll be reminded to stop, look in both directions [and] listen for oncoming trains,” said Sarah Mayes, national director of Operation Lifesaver Canada. See 2,000, A4
The controversial Ajax copper and gold mine project may not be dead. The project is coowned by Poland-based KGHM International and Vancouver-based Abacus Mining & Exploration Corporation. KGHM owns 80 per cent of interest in the project, while Abacus has a 20 per cent share. In a Sept. 23 newsletter to investors, Abacus president and CEO Paul Anderson said both Abacus and KGHM are preparing to “potentially” resubmit an environmental application. The proposed open-pit mine south of Aberdeen required approval by both the provincial and federal governments to proceed.
In December 2017, the application was rejected by the provincial NDP government. At the time, Environment Minister George Heyman and Mines Minister Michelle Mungall said the openpit mine would have significant, adverse effects that were not outweighed by its potential benefits. These included effects to Indigenous heritage and traditional land uses, and to human health, air quality and grasslands eco-systems. Heyman called the environmental review process “substantial, thorough and fair,” noting the length and level of engagement. “Ajax remains a priority for both Abacus and for our partner, who have begun the pro-
cess of re-engaging the project stakeholders,” Anderson wrote in the Sept. 23 newsletter to Abacus investors. “This process is being undertaken with a view to satisfying new provincial and federal environmental regulations which are now, or are about to be in effect, which include advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.” Despite the December 2017 rejection of the project by Victoria, Anderson said Abacus and KGHM have “continued to work to advance the project, including evaluating various strategies geared toward potentially resubmitting the environmental application.” See FIRST, A6
Let’s continue to
TRUST Cathy McLeod RE-ELECT Cathy McLeod as YOUR Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Campaign Office: 249 Seymour Street • Email: votemcleod2019@gmail.com • Ph: 250.828.0512 • Website: votecathymcleod2019.ca
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