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AI robot baby helps UNBC team study aging ... Page 29
Blackwater’s golden opportunity New gold and silver mine opens SW of Prince George TED CLARKE Citizen Staff
Premier David Eby was the final guest speaker introduced Friday at the grand opening ceremony of the Blackwater Gold mine. Just before he stepped up to the podium, a cloth was yanked away to reveal two 20-kilogram gold bars, each worth about $2.5 million, one leaning against the other. “That’s a generous gift, I’m beside myself,” quipped Eby. “I resign.” The crowd laughed as their eyes were drawn to the product of more than four years of planning and construction by Artemis Gold Inc., owner of the openpit gold and silver mine 160 kilometres southwest of Prince George. The mine entered commercial production last month.
CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE
This gold-silver brick poured at Blackwater Gold mine southwest of Prince George weighs 20 kg and is worth an estimated $2.5 million.
Forecast to produce between 190,000 and 230,000 ounces of gold this year, Blackwater is being touted as Canada’s greenest gold mine. Built to the highest environmental standards and endorsed
by the region’s First Nations, the project is expected to inject $13.2 billion into BC’s economy over its 20-year lifespan. “This is not only bringing prosperity to so many people, you’re doing it
the right way — with strong partnerships with Indigenous people and no untreated water leaving the site,” Eby said. “This is a long-term vision that includes what this site will look like after you’re done, and it’s inspirational to me. “British Columbia is going to be the economic engine of the new Canada that is emerging. It’s because of where we are geographically, facing two-thirds of the world’s population. It’s because of the resources in this province — like clean electricity — that Steven (Artemis chairman and CEO Dean) had the vision to tap into. We’re at a crossroads, and delivering projects like this across the country is essential. You are leading the way.” Built on the slopes of Mount Davidson, on the traditional territory of the Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation and Ulkatcho First Nation, the mine sits on reserves estimated to contain 11.7 million ounces of gold and 122.4 million ounces of silver. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2