Western Copper and Gold Corp. will host meetings this week to inform Yukoners about their plans for the Casino mine project.
The company is currently working on its application to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board for the massive gold and copper mine.
The meetings in Carmacks, Whitehorse and Pelly Crossing will give people from the affected communities an opportunity to learn about the project, ask questions and give input prior to the permitting stage.
“We just want to make people aware, and if there are any concerns that we’ve overlooked, or that they want to reinforce, this is the opportunity to voice your opinion,” said Claudia Riveros, a spokesperson for the project.
The company released a feasibility study for the mine in February.
It is located within Selkirk First Nation traditional territory, to the west of Pelly Crossing.
The mine is expected to operate for at least 22 years, providing 1,000 jobs during peak construction and 600 jobs during peak production.
The project would include a power plant with a capacity of 150 megawatts, more than the current capacity of all electric power in the Yukon. It would be fueled by liquefied natural gas, to be trucked in from Outside.
The YESAB application should be filed before the end of this year, said Riveros. Production could begin as early as 2015.
The meetings will include formal presentations from the technical team, as well as poster presentations where experts will be on hand to answer questions.
Paul West-Sells, the company’s president, will also be present, said Riveros.
The company will be in Carmacks today from 4-7 p.m. at the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation’s Heritage Hall.
Tuesday in Whitehorse there will be two events, from 12-2 p.m. and from 4-7 p.m. at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre.
The public is asked to RSVP to for the Whitehorse lunch event. Contact Riveros at claudia.p.riveros@gmail.com.
On Wednesday the company will be back in Carmacks from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the recreation centre.
And on Thursday, company officials will be in Pelly Crossing at the Link Building from 1-5 p.m.
Food and refreshments will be served at all events, and childcare is available at the Pelly Crossing meeting.
Contact Jacqueline Ronson at jronson@yukon-news.com