Ajax Mine blasts to be felt in adjacent neighbourhoods
According to InfoTel Media reporter Jennifer Stahn, if you live within four kilometres of the proposed Ajax mine near Kamloops you will feel vibrations from blasting, according to the latest letter to Kamloops city council from KGHM Ajax Mining Inc.
Earlier this year the company replied to a July 2011 letter from the city asking for more information, but council was still not happy with how little information was provided by the mining proponent. So the councillors asked for further clarification on several points. This week council will get a look at what external affairs manager Yves Lacasse has to say in 'average layperson' terms.
In the latest letter to the city, Lacasse admits the daily blasting will be felt by those living closest to the mine. Anyone about two kilometres from the edge of the pit, will be able to feel vibrations equivalent to three times that of a truck travelling at 50 kilometres per hour from 10 metres away. Lacasse doesn't clarify what type of truck, but he does note people living beyond four kilometres from the edge of the pit should not feel any vibrations.
In February, opponents of the mine said they were concerned over the initial blasting reports. They wanted more done to show just how much of an impact the blasting will truly have on the community.
Based on the numbers Lacasse cites in his letter, and using the Google Earth model provided by the company to determine the location of the pit, there are several neighbourhoods that will feel the vibrations. The tremors will rumble through parts of Pineview and most of the homes in Aberdeen, south of Hugh Allen Drive, including the two elementary schools.
Lacasse also states the company doesn't conduct human health studies because it has met all necessary government standards. KGHM will be conducting a human health and ecological risk assessment as part of the environmental application.
There is no intention to build a berm or other physical barrier to protect the Aberdeen and Knutsford communities from noise, light and aesthetic impacts. There will be a buffer between the pit and Jacko Lake. Storage areas will create a buffer along Lac le Jeune Road.
Source: InfoTel Media/Reporter Jennifer Stahn
