Liz Cornejo is leaving her role as a part-time consultant for Constantine Metal Resources.
Since 2009, Cornejo has served in various technical and community-liaison positions for the company as its Haines-based mining exploration project, the Palmer Project, moves through the permitting process.
Cornejo began feathering herself out of the company last year with a target date of stepping away completely around April 2021, according to Constantine president Garfield MacVeigh. He said her departure date is somewhat flexible and will be based on when Cornejo finishes wrapping up loose ends.
Last June, Cornejo resigned from her role as vice president of community affairs to work as a part-time, Haines-based consultant. At the time she left the vice president position, she was the fourth company manager to resign in a six-month period.
Cornejo didn’t offer specifics about why she decided to leave.
“There were a variety of factors that led to my decision. I am grateful for my 12 years with Constantine, working with great co-workers and community members on an important project,” she said in an interview Monday.
She said she plans to take time off to enjoy Haines and visit family this summer. She plans to remain in Haines and will continue serving as president of the local chapter of the Alaska Miners Association.
MacVeigh said it’s possible Cornejo could work for Constantine again in a consultant capacity. “I would never rule out the opportunity to request certain work from her if she’s amenable to it,” he said.
MacVeigh said plans to replace Cornejo are a work in progress, but at present, Constantine doesn’t have anyone lined up to fill the role of community liaison.
Community members with questions can reach out to Constantine through its Haines office, 766-2057.
After this summer, Constantine will no longer have a majority interest in the Palmer Project. DOWA Metals and Mining, Constantine’s partner in the joint venture mine exploration project, will assume up to 56% interest after spending $8.8 million to fund the entirety of 2021 work. The shift is unlikely to change much about the Palmer Project’s day-to-day operations, according to MacVeigh, and Constantine will continue to operate the project on behalf of DOWA, a Japanese based smelting company that is involved in three mines operating in Mexico and Canada.