About 150 people came out to Pan Pacific Aggregates' community open forum Aug. 10 to have questions answered about the proposed mine sites above Porpoise Bay.
Sechelt Indian Band elders Theresa Jeffries and Jamie Dixon opened with a prayer.
"I hope we'll open our hearts and minds to what is happening here on the Sunshine Coast," Jeffries said.
Panelist Don Nicholson, Pan Pacific CEO and chair of the board, apologized for not talking to the community before beginning its exploration work and for the noise and dust.
"It was bad and for that I apologize to the community," Nicholson said.
Pan Pacific project manager and geologist Cal Mark said, over the next several weeks, the company will evaluate the results of its exploration, then decide how to proceed with an exploration plan. Prior to exploration, the company will undergo an environmental certification process through various provincial ministries, which requires extensive local consultation. The process could take up to two years, he said.
The next panelist, Richard Pope of Dylan Consulting, said he would be managing the environmental assessment process by coordinating a team of local consultants. He will collect data over the next year, such as breeding bird surveys and surface water quality tests.
The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources' executive director of the southwest region, Graeme McLaren, was the final speaker on the panel. He said the ministry reviews and regulates mining activities to minimize impacts on people and the environment. Throughout the environmental assessment process, he plans to work closely with First Nations, local governments and communities, he said.
A question and answer period followed. One of the main questions the audience raised was what it would take to stop the mining project. Mark answered market considerations and transportation costs could be show stoppers. He said he was not aware of any environmental issues yet that could stop the project.
The suggestion came up that there should be a community advisory committee that could be involved in the environmental and permitting review process. Nicholson welcomed the idea, saying the committee could report to the board of directors on policy issues.
West Porpoise Bay Residents' Association president Ken Matheson asked why the company hasn't been removed from the agricultural land reserve at its compound at the top of Mason Road.
McLaren said it is not unusual for mining exploration to be on an agricultural land reserve, but the company is required to have a permit from the provincial Agricultural Land Commission. Nicholson said he didn't know if Pan Pacific has a permit from the commission but would find out.
Dale Jackson, president of the Pender Harbour and District Wildlife Society, questioned whether Pan Pacific is meeting the ethical standards promised on display at the open houses.
She said old growth trees were cut, new roads built and fish-bearing streams damaged. Nicholson responded much of the damage happened prior to Pan Pacific taking over the permit areas and the company has a program for repair.
"You have a program for repairing old growth trees?" Jackson said, and Nicholson responded no.
Sechelt Indian Band Coun. Robert Joe said Pan Pacific has not gone through the band's process for seeking jobs for band members, through the band's employment officer.
Pan Pacific president Alan Whitehead said the company advertised job postings without preference.
