Members of the Haines Economic Development Corporation board voted unanimously to request a seat on the Chilkat Valley Mining Forum Committee.
The forum committee, chaired by Constantine Metal Resources vice president of external affairs Liz Cornejo and Haines Chamber of Commerce executive director Tracey Harmon, was formed to “organize public information forums designed to provide quality information on mining topics,” according to its mission statement. It has organized two mining forums that brought speakers from around the state and Canada including state officials, scientists and a woman whose home was impacted by the Mount Polley mining disaster.
Adding new members to the forum committee requires a 70 percent vote from its members. HEDC executive director Margaret Friedenauer told HEDC members Cornejo indicated they’d be open to providing them a seat at the table. “I reached out to Liz who is the chair of the committee,” Friedenauer said during Friday’s HEDC meeting. “She said the group is always happy to consider new members and Constantine would very much like to see HEDC as a member.”
HEDC president Heather Shade said mining is an industry that is coming up on their agenda, and having membership in the forum committee “is one way in which we can be involved.”
Constantine is a mineral exploration company searching for copper, zinc, gold and silver at the Palmer Project 30 miles north of Haines.
The forum committee’s member organizations include Chilkoot Indian Association, Constantine Metal Resources, Haines Borough, Haines Chamber of Commerce, Northern Southeast Gillnetters, Alaska Miners Association, Haines Sportsman’s Association, Takshanuk Watershed Council and the Palmer family.
Lynn Canal Conservation and the Chilkat Indian Village dropped out of the committee after its first forum in 2017. LCC board president Eric Holle said the committee was composed of pro-mining interests.
On Sunday, Feb. 24 the committee is hosting a forum from 2 to 5 p.m. at the American Legion where speakers will discuss how a future mine will change the community.