Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Tamerlane Ventures Inc. is an exploration and development mining company with advanced base metal development projects in Canada and Peru. The company is working towards bringing the world-class lead-zinc Pine Point property back into production in the Northwest Territories.
The company’s primary focus is the Pine Point project consisting of the Pine Point mine, which was the largest and most profitable base metal mine in Canadian history. The Pine Point project hosts over five billion pounds of lead and zinc in the ground and Tamerlane Ventures believes it will once again become one of Canada’s great mines.
Mr. Speaker, as with any project like this, there are many issues around timing and prices of commodities, and Tamerlane believes at this time the things are aligned, these different necessities are aligned and it is time to move on with this project. Just recently Tamerlane said that they have had some good news in their search for financing for their project and are in the process of signing proposals at this time and there will be further details coming about this in the next few weeks.
Mr. Speaker, for Hay River, this is good news. Tamerlane believes that with the effective implementation of the company’s HR management program and the assistance of government agencies, this project could generate a considerable number of employment and training opportunities for residents in the South Slave region. During the construction phase, up to 65 positions will be available. During the mining operation of the company, up to 227 positions will be available. Some of the specific training and employment opportunities would be construction equipment operation and maintenance, mining equipment operation and maintenance, administration positions, safety systems workers, first aid and emergency response teams and many other related jobs.
Mr. Speaker, as I said, there are always hurdles and obstacles for a project of this nature. One that has been discussed and we’ve heard some about is the cost of power in the Northwest Territories to operate their facility. I believe that there has been discussion that has gone on between the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Tamerlane on the issue of the cost of power.
Mr. Speaker, I’m here today to sound the alarm. Hay River needs something and we need something soon. If there’s any way that this government can do something to help see this project come to fruition and support it in a similar way they did for diamond secondary processing for Yellowknife, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
