New Afton is looking beyond its 2030 closure to ensure best outcome possible

KAMLOOPS — The New Afton Mine has lots of life left — with a projected closure in 2030.

However, it’s not stopping the company from starting to plan for the inevitable.

“Obviously, we hope that through exploration we can push off the closure of the New Afton Mine even beyond 2030, but at this point, that’s where our transition into closure is,” noted New Afton’s manager of environment, lands and permitting Scott Davidson. “So really, it’s getting this dialogue going, so we have a plan.”

The company struck up the Beyond New Afton committee about a year ago — headed by Korah Dewalt-Gagnon. There is representation from mine employees, as well as local First Nations members.

“It’s just really making sure the employees have the opportunities to use their voices, let us know their concerns, as well as knowing they have creative solutions,” Dewalt-Gagnon told CFJC Today. “We don’t always have the answers, so it’s allowing them to use their voices to help build this plan, so there’s buy-in at the end of the day as well.”

When the mine does close, it will take about two to three years to remove equipment and reclamate the site as close to its original state as possible. New Afton wanted to be proactive in starting the process, so it can have the best reclamation plan.

“The time to start planning is now,” said Dewalt-Gagnon. “You can look at developing a plan, bringing it together, but then also formulating a timeline for implementation. Some of these projects may take years to implement, so it’s looking at understanding what those processes are, so you have the time to put them in place.”

New Afton is hoping to hear from all 610 employees, as well as contractors at the mine. But beyond the stakeholders, the mine is seeking input from Kamloops residents on what should happen when the mine closes.

“We would like to encourage everyone who can in the community to take advantage of the survey on our website and to lend your voice,” said Davidson. “It’s really through having many diverse voices that we’re going to be best positioned to look at how we can leave behind a positive legacy. This is a positive legacy for our employees, for our contractors, but also for Kamloops.”

To fill out the survey, you can visit here.