Endako expansion given the go ahead
September 29, 2009 | Omineca Express
Things are looking good for Endako Mines.
The expansion of the Fraser Lake mine was approved to be restarted last month and is in the first phases. A contractor has been selected and a schedule is being put together. There is no estimated date yet for the completion of the project. The approved amount is $373 million, which includes engineering, procurement, construction and management costs.
Thompson Creek Metals Co. Inc. is contributing a 75 per cent share into the project and Japanese based Sojitz Corp. is responsible for the remaining 25 per cent.
Currently, the mine produces about 28,000 tonnes of ore per day. After the expansion it will produce about 50,000 tonnes per day.
“It’s a significant increase,” says Bob Jacko, Interim Mine Manager at Endako.
There will also be a number of construction jobs created.
“We’re not sure of the exact number yet, but we’re probably looking at 200 to 250 people,” said Jacko.
The number will start off slow, and gradually increase as the expansion goes on.
At the time of shut down there was 14 to 18 months of work on the expansion remaining, Jacko said.
He wasn’t sure how many permanent jobs it would add to the 257 employees who work there currently.
The brakes were put on the project late last year due to the recession.
