Braga, A.L.F, L.A.A. Pereira, M. Procopio, P.A. deAndre, and
P.H.D. Saldiva. 2007. Association between air pollution and respiratory and
cardiovascular diseases in Itabira, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. CADERNOS DE SAUDE PUBLICA 23:
570-578. http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-311X2007001600017&lng=pt&nrm=iso&tlng=pt
Ghaffari, H. 2012. Ajax Copper/Gold Project- Kamloops,
British Columbia Feasibility Study Technical Report. Wardrop, Vancouver,
British Columbia. <http://www.amemining.com/i/pdf/2012_01_06_Feasibility_Study_Ajax.pdf
>
Kamloops Area Preservation Association (KAPA). 2012. Stop
Ajax Mine. <http://www.stopajaxmine.ca/home>
Koopmans, R. 2011. Ajax will forever change the Jacko Lake
grasslands. Kamloops Daily News. < http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/article/20110730/KAMLOOPS23/110729814/-1/kamloops23/ajax-will-forever-change-the-jacko-lake-grasslands>
The truth. It is something that the residents of Kamloops
are entitled to when it comes to the events that could soon be affecting
everyday aspects of life; however, it feels as though we are being kept in the
dark about some aspects of the proposed Ajax copper-gold mine. The Ajax mine will cover approximately 2500
hectares of prime grassland area just outside of Kamloops for a lifespan of 23
years (Ghaffari, 2012). The main concerns associated with the mine proposal are
the possible health, environmental, and economic effects. Ajax claimed that the mine would be 10km from
the city. In truth, some parts, including waste rock management, truck stops,
and tailings plant/storage facilities would be within city limits (figure 1;
KAPA, 2012). In fact, there are elementary schools, senior’s residences, and
residential housing that are only 2km away from the mine (KAPA, 2012).
Figure 1. A map of the proposed Ajax copper-gold mine in
Kamloops, B.C (KAPA, 2012).
Ajax claimed that dust will not be a problem. However, Bob
Hamaguchi, Highland Valley Copper's retired environmental engineer, was quoted
saying, “Dust has always been an issue at Highland Valley Copper… there were
days you could hardly breathe” (Koopman, 2011). So what would Ajax be doing differently?
There is a frightening lack of literature on the possible health risks
associated with living in close proximity to mines. In a paper by Braga et al. (2007), the researchers investigated the effect of fine particulate
matter (or dust) on respiratory and cardiovascular health of the citizens
living in close proximity to an ore pit mine in Brazil. The results showed a
startling 4% increase in hospital visits for children less than 13 years of age
and adults between 45-64 years of age, while adolescents 13-19 years of age
showed an even higher 12% increase. Scarier still, measurable levels of
aluminum, arsenic, manganese, chromium, strontium, and uranium can be present
in ore and waste rock (Ghaffari, 2012).
If this isn’t bad enough, the mine is to be built on 2500
hectares of grassland, an ecosystem that is in serious danger and now, makes up
less than 1% of British Columbia land area. The area is also home to many
endangered and at risk species that may never recover from a disturbance this great
(Koopmans, 2012).
On the other hand, those that are for the building of the
Ajax mine can see the potential income it would bring to the city. It is
proposed that the mine would provide up to 400 jobs, not including those that
would be employed during construction. However, what some people may not know
is that the ore will be shipped overseas for processing, which is income the
city of Kamloops will not see. Also, with the instability of copper prices,
there is always the possibility that copper prices could decline and the mine
would shut down (KAPA, 2012).
When you combine all the detrimental effects the mine will
have on the health of Kamloop’s citizens and the surrounding environment, do
the benefits really outweigh the costs? These are just some of the facts; but
as citizens of Kamloops, it is our responsibility to look at the facts and stay
informed about matters happening in our city.
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