Editor's note: Corrects name of company from North American Stone Inc. to North America Stone.
North America Stone Inc. has submitted an application to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources to commence surface drilling of granite rock at two sites near North Fork Road.
The City of Grand Forks was asked to comment on the application and submit their thoughts as part of the Ministry’s approval process.
The first project area is located approximately 30 kilometres up North Fork Road and 500 metres up new trail to the bulk sample site.
The second site is located 27 kilometres up North Fork Road and 1,000 metres up a new trail to bulk sample site past Lynch Creek Road.
According to the application, both sites would involve surface drilling of granite rock and the use of asemite expanding gel to break the rock, rather than explosives.
North America Stone Inc. was contacted but did not respond in time for print.
“Any time there’s new economic activity in Grand Forks, I think it’s a positive thing, as long as it’s done responsibly and doesn’t have a negative impact on our community” said Coun. Gary Smith. “If there was, it would be more of a detriment than a benefit.”
Smith noted that there’s not enough information at this time to see what the benefits are for the city.
The city was requested to comment before 30 days had elapsed, by Feb. 3, or it would be deemed the city has no qualms about the application.
Jenny Coleshill, a nearby resident and project manager for Granby Wilderness Society, lives near the proposed site and disagrees with the application.
“We’ve been looking at the permit maps and it looks like its 200 metres from our doorway,” she said. “There’s an environmental impact and there’s a health impact.”
The location of the area in the application is also close to the Granby River, which is a major wildlife corridor, Coleshill pointed out.
“The area itself has rock climbing routes all over it, and it’s one of the only established rock climbing areas in the Boundary,” she stated. “It also has an established mountain bike route up there too.”
There are three dwellings near the permit area, but Coleshill pointed out her neighbours homes are mainly summer dwellings.
“We’re the only permanent home there,” she added.
“There’s also the Granby Camp, PV Ranch Adventures, Big Whiskey Ranch, and they’re all trying to do the eco-tourism bit so it won’t be good for them either.”
Coleshill noted she doesn’t hate mining but the vicinity to the river is a big issue.
The application noted that when the 10,000 ton bulk sample is collected, the exploration trail will be reclaimed and reseeded/planted with trees and natural grasses.
Coleshill added she has been in contact with Lynn Davis at the Ministry of Mines, who stated any comments on the application by North America Stone Inc. are appreciated and can be directed to mmd-cranbrook@gov.bc.ca.