B.C.’s Environment Minister says the process would be different this time around if the proponent of Ajax Mine tried to revive the project near Kamloops.

George Heyman says a revised version of the Environmental Assessment Act will come into effect this fall.

“It’s fair to say it will be more rigorous, but also more transparent. In many ways, more inclusive and respectful of Indigenous and community values. But it’s also a clear process, if a project does have the possibility of going ahead under certain conditions,” Heyman says.

“That should be apparent far earlier, and therefore lead to a greater certainty for proponents who have the potential of a project that could be acceptable, both environmentally and to the community and Indigenous people in the area.”

In December of 2017, the province rejected an environmental assessment certificate for the proposed open-pit Ajax Mine, which was proposed less than two kilometres outside Kamloops city limits.

Late last month, the minority owner of Ajax, Abacus Mining, made a statement that it would be re-engaging stakeholders about the proposed open-pit mine just outside of Kamloops. Chiefs of the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc and the Skeetchestn Indian Band have both continued to voice opposition, and so too has at least one city councillor.

No one from Abacus Mining has returned a call to NL News.