B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office is forcing a mining company to dismantle a workers’ camp 110 kilometres south of Vanderhoof by Aug. 31 after finding it did not have approval to build or operate the camp on an electrical transmission corridor beyond the mine site.
The enforcement order to remove the camp was issued to the Blackwater Gold Project open pit gold and silver mine after a May 14 on-site inspection. Blackwater Gold is owned by Artemis Gold Inc.
According to the inspection record, the uncertified facility had at least 48 accommodation units, three generators, and potable water storage and had been housing Blackwater Gold transmission line construction workers since April.
Blackwater Gold’s environmental certificate only permits a main construction camp of up to 1,000 people and an operations camp housing up to 500 people. Both must be located within the mine site.
According to documents, Blackwater Gold was ordered to cease operations at the unauthorized camp by Aug. 7 but was given an extension to Aug. 21 because wildfire contractors had been using the facility.
The camp has been ordered removed from the site by 6 p.m. PT, Aug. 31.
CBC has reached out to Artemis Gold for comment.