The company hoping to restart the Pine Point mine in the South Slave has signed an agreement with the Town of Hay River to “work together” in support of the project.
In a press release this week, Pine Point Mining said the two would look to “seize opportunities for long-term sustainable growth for Hay River through the development and operations” of a zinc and lead mine at Pine Point.
Pine Point, located between Hay River and Fort Resolution, was once home to nearly 2,000 people before it was abandoned in the late 1980s when the local mine shut down. An open-pit lead and zinc mine operated from 1965 to 1987.
Last year, Pine Point Mining said it hoped to open a new mine by the end of the decade, anticipating it would have a life of at least 12 years.
Hay River Mayor Kandis Jameson was quoted as saying the mine “presents an exciting opportunity to significantly benefit residents and businesses of Hay River.”
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The town has listed the mine’s possible opening as a factor in projections that its population could grow by thousands in the years ahead.
Jameson said the town and company would work to “maximize the economic potential of the project while thoughtfully considering all aspects of community impact.”
Pine Point Mining had scheduled a town hall meeting for Hay River earlier this week, with one due in Yellowknife at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre from 6pm on November 25.
Zinc and lead would be mined using both open-pit and underground methods according to the website for Pine Point’s environmental assessment, a process that began in 2021.
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Pine Point Mining has said it hopes to submit a developer’s assessment report in 2025, which would move the environmental assessment to its next stage.
The company says other agreements in place include an exploration agreement with Kátł’odeeche First Nation signed in 2017 and collaboration agreements with the Deninu Kųę́ First Nation and NWT Métis Nation signed in 2019.
Impact benefit agreements are being negotiated with all three Indigenous governments, the company added.
