New Gold Inc. has appointed Cementation Canada to commence the underground development at its new Afton Copper-Gold project, located just 10 km from Kamloops.
If the current feasibility study supports a production decision, new jobs products and services will be required from technicians, miners, maintenance specialists and industrial service providers to extract mineralization from the current resource containing an estimated 1.5 billion pounds of copper and 1.6 million ounces of gold found underground.
“These are exciting times for the New Afton project. We have local companies involved in assay testing and site preparation of the pit,” says Kevin Ross, Chief Operating Officer of New Gold Inc.
Several sectors of the Kamloops economy should see increased business from the New Afton mine activities, such as contractors, miners, technical specialists and heavy equipment suppliers.
The tourism sector will be one of the first beneficiaries providing short-term accommodation and meals for employees and contractors. As the project develops further into 2007, the need for wide range of construction personnel will be required.
During the next stage of development, the need for supplies such as construction materials, concrete and explosives will be in immediate demand as the site begins its underground development and drilling.
New Gold is focusing on completing the feasibility study, submitting a permit application to the Regional Mine Development Review Committee and finalizing the financing.
New Gold Inc (NGD:TSX/AMEX) is a Tournament Gold Corporate Sponsor of Venture Kamloops. For more information, visit www.newgoldinc.com.
KAL Tire amalgamated its western distribution and tire manufacturing plant from Edmonton to Kamloops, The new facility opened in November 2006
Citing good availability of labour as one of the key factors for relocation, Kamloops will enjoy a $5 million dollar boost into the local economy. The economic impact is the result of KAL Tire purchasing new state-of-the-art hi-tech molding equipment, building a fifteen thousand square foot expansion to the existing facility, and delivering an annual payroll of $1.1 million.
KAL Tire decided to close the plant in Edmonton and move to Kamloops to retain and attract new skilled employees. “Kamloops has a great workforce to draw from and workers are just not available in Edmonton,” states plant manager, Bert Jameus.
“Our local employees are telling us they love the Kamloops quality of life particularly the fishing, hunting, and sporting options – they have no intention of going any place else.”
The expansion is good for Kamloops as KAL Tire will be hiring up to 60 employees and operating 3-shifts per day Monday through Friday. Workers are able to earn a journeyman rate and receive their Master Certificate within 2 ½ years.
KAL Tire offers competitive industry wages plus a comprehensive bonus system based on shift performance and overall plant performance levels. Profit sharing and pension plan options kick in after two years of employment, and employees can earn up to $5,000 per year in RRSPs.
The massive tires that KAL Tire intends to make locally are used on gigantic earth moving tractors in the mining sector. These tires range from $40,000 to $70,000 each.
It is an expensive cost item for mining customers. Long-term clients like Highland Valley Copper have trusted KAL Tire to provide quality products, repairs and rethreading services for their high performance industrial tires that mostly work in severe conditions. KAL Tire boasts a 100% reliability rate with its clients.
KALTire Manager, Bert Jameus standing in front of industrial earth moving equipment tire
"Kamloops is the most strategic place for our distribution plant,” says Jameus. KAL Tire has a diversified group of clients that conduct business in not only mining but also in logging and farming sectors - reaching a market from Alaska to Thunder Bay, Ontario.
“We chose Kamloops because of the people. Personally, I have lived in many cities and I think Kamloops is the best city in the world. We enjoy our family life, we are strong supporters of minor baseball, and I coach as well. But it’s the fishing and ski-doing that I love most,” says Jameus.
For more information about KAL Tire, visit www.kaltire.com Tom Ford started the first KAL TIRE plant 53 years ago. Bert Sauer operates KAL transport managing a fleet of 40 transport truck and 300 trailers. Kamloops is the Western Canada Distribution Centre producing 500-800 tires per year supplying mining operations in a global economy fulfilling a worldwide shortage for earth moving tires.
Description This indicator measures the dollar value of permits issued by municipalities for non-residential buildings, on a per capita basis. It includes commercial, industrial and institutional construction. Also included are alterations, renovations and additions to non-residential buildings.
Email industry updates and upcoming events to michael@venturekamloops.com Team Venture Kamloops Jeff Putnam, CEO Anita Grover, Manager, Economic Development Michael Eibl, Manager, New Business Development Wendy Snelling, BusinessCARE Manager Cindy Dueck, Office Administrator
www.venturekamloops.com
Venture Kamloops 297 First Avenue Kamloops, BC V2J 3J3 Tel: 250.828.6818 Fax: 250.828.7164 Toll Free:1.888.526.5667
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