Social Effects of the Ajax Mine

SECTION 8.0 ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL SOCIAL EFFECTS 

8.2 Community Health and Well Being 

1. Will KGHM Ajax be undertaking regular (e.g., every six months) blood and urine tests of its work force? 

2. Will KGHM Ajax be required to disclose to the Public Health Authorities the aggregate results of these tests? 

3. Will KGHM Ajax be willing to fund regular blood and urine tests of school children in the three elementary schools closest to the mine (Pacific Way, Aberdeen, McGowan) to determine if the possible health effects of mine dust? 

4. Is the EAO currently studying any other large copper gold mine near large population centers to determine the effect of those mines upon lifestyle, health and property values? 

5. If so, which communities, which mines and what data has been compiled, against which to measure the proponent's model predictions? 

6. If not, why not? 

When the social effects consultant retained by the proponent arrived in Kamloops several weeks ago, he stated Kamloops was known to be an industrial town, and asked why there would be opposition to more industrial activity. Kamloops has spent many years working to dispel an image of our city as an industrial town. 

Furthermore, there are activities such as home building in the Aberdeen, Pineview and South Sahali areas that may be undercut if demand for homes in this area decline. Should this transpire, property values may fall and homes may become difficult to sell as a result. 

To the extent that the mine will undermine these endeavours, KAPA wishes to know whether this issue has been studied to determine the likelihood that it will occur, and the cost it may have on existing businesses in the community. 

1. Have there been any economic studies or community surveys been undertaken, to determine the potential loss of jobs in the agricultural, construction, tourism or professional sectors in the event that the mine decreases the attractiveness of Kamloops as a place to live, work and play during the course of its lifetime? 

2. If so, what is that study, who is the author and what are the projections? 

3. If not, why has such a study not been undertaken? 

4. If a study of this nature has not yet been undertaken, will such a study be undertaken by the Ministry of Environment or any other government ministry, prior to completion of the assessment process? 

5. If not, why not? 

6. Have there been any economic studies undertaken, to determine a mine related diminishment in enrolment at Thompson Rivers University, in the event the mine is allowed to proceed? 

7. Have there been any economic studies undertaken, to determine the extent of mine related reduction in Tournament Capital Activities in the event that the Mine is approved? 

8. If so, what is that study, who is the author and what are the projections? 

9. If not, why has such a study not been undertaken? 

10. If a study of this nature has not yet been undertaken, will such a study be undertaken by the Ministry of Environment or any other government ministry, prior to completion of the assessment process? 

11. If not, why not?