An additional mine on the upwind outskirts of the city would only worsen air quality and negatively impact the health of the people in the city.
These threats to our community health from the proposed Ajax mine are documented in a new study and literature review released by KPHES that is presented in both a four-page illustrated pamphlet and in a two- page text version. Both are available on the society’s website www.kphe.ca . The four-page version will also be distributed today to homes in Kamloops as a newspaper insert.
The British Columbia air quality guideline for fine particulate matter reached the provincial maximum in Kamloops in 2012 and exceeded it in 2013. A short distance upwind, Kamloops already has Highland Valley Copper, Canada’s second highest emitter of fine particulates (PM2.5) in 2012.
On its western edge, Kamloops has Canada’s third highest emitter in the same year, New Gold/New Afton. The construction of yet another major mine on the southern edge of the city should not be permitted.
Dr. Jill Calder said that there is clearly enough scientific information available to reach an informed opinion that this mine will be detrimental to the health of the citizens of Kamloops. "I’m not alone," said Dr. Calder, "The former medical health officer for Kamloops was so concerned that he felt the permitting process should not proceed, as this proposed mine presented a great threat to public health and safety."
The addition of even more particulate matter into our airshed and into the lungs of our families must be stopped. We should be reducing our air pollution not adding to it.
