Dick and Sue Chambers Box 859 Nakusp, B.C. VOG 1KO Kinky Honored DAUGHTER, MARIE, WANTS TO BE THE CADDY Wednesday, March 3rd was an emotional evening as long time friends, co-workers and family gathered to bid farewell to Aldo ‘‘Kinky” Borsato.. Kinky began his career with Cassiar Mining in June, 1959 as a Tramline Mechanic and pro- ‘moted to Tramline Foreman in December, 1966. _ He held the position: of: Safety-Supervisor from June; 1974 until 1978; at which time he took the Tramline-Crusher responsibilities. In August, 1982 Kinky returned to the Safety Eerie as Supervisor until his retirement. During nearly twenty-nine years in teat Kinky wore many hats, including that of Fire Chief from November, 1968 until June, 1979. He also coached the Mine Rescue Team for the past several years. Mine Manager, Bill Zemenchik. presented Kinky with a set of golf clubs which will be put ~ to good use in Cranbrook. Kinky also received a stock of ‘1,000,000 Hour - No Lost Time Accident” caps to keep the sun out of his eyes on the golf course. A certificate of appreciation for Kinky’s many years of service to the company and the community was also presented. LIONS AGAINST DRUGS Members of the British Columbia Lions Football Team and the Kaiser Substance Abuse Foundation have teamed up to tackle the drug abuse problem among the province’s youth. j Launched as a concept eight months ago, the program is now hitting the road with the the message that ~ “the abuse of drugs will prevent you from reaching your full potential”’. The Lions input comes through a group known as the B.C. Lionbackers, formed at the urging of team President, Chuck Walter, as a way for the football ‘club -. to put something back into the province. donate their time, and with the assistance of thirty-six corporate sponsors, the program is well on: the way. The Kaiser Foundation is providing technical, expertise and programming support. Sponsored locally by the Coalition enti Substance Abuse, B.C. Lions members, Jaime Buis and Todd Wiseman will be in Cassiar on Thursday, April 7th to meet with students of Cassiar Secondary and Snow- ridge School. They will tell their own stories and share their experiences. That evening football fans are invited to meet Jaime and Todd in the highschool gym. .Gerry Gramek, who was instrumental in bringing these guests to Cassiar, would like to thank Canadian Airlines Internation and Time Air for providing the Ce a ny es FE aS accommodation): The players.. > _ transportation ‘and AES Mining Company for guest s Teele ¢ pe ne APRIL : Canada 74% i Sth mm NEW LIFE FOR CASSIAR! The residents of Cassiar enthusiastically applauded Stephen Rogers, Minister of State for the Nechanko Region as he announced a $25 million government loan to enable Cassiar - Mining Company to develop the McDame under- ground asbestos deposit. The $60 million new development is being financed by the company and private lenders with support from the pro- vince of British Columbia. “This will extend the life of the mine until at least the end of the century,” said Jack Davis, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “The McDame deposit has proven reserves for at least ten years and good potential thereafter, while Cassiar’s existing open-pit reserves can only sustain operations until 1991. “Funds will be advanced under the In- dustrial Development Incentive Act.” said Eco- nomic Development Minister, Grace McCarthy. “The high quality fiber produced at Cassiar is exported to more than forty countries through- out the world and ranks as one of our important export products.” The McDame Project will sustain 400 permanant jobs in Cassiar’s mining and milling, in addition to those necessary for the $43.4° million..contriction program. A further seventy jobs will be maintained in head office and in transporting the product to dockside in North Vancouver. “Cassiar has been the major regional center in northwestern B.C. for more than thirty years. It is home to 1200 people and the center for schools, services and transportation: What the infrastructure that you have developed in this community means to other people, has helped convince the Cabinet to make this decision.’ said Stephen Rogers. “Extending the mine’s life means the region’s outlook for new development is assured.” James_ O’Rourke, President and Chief Executive Officer for Cassiar Mining stated that 1987 had been an exceptional year in that sales were up and the demands for fibre in 1988 are higher. There will be no summer shutdown Cassiar botsrier yi > the Voice of Cassiar Country 1988 15° McDame Underground Project to Go Ahead NECHAKO MINISTER OF STATE, S AND CASSIAR’S BILL ZEMENCHIK, ARE ALL SMILES AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT this year as a twelve month production period is necessary to maintain a good supply of fibre. The chrysotile asbestos from Cassiar’s existing open-pit operation and from the new McDame deposit is used in applications which meet the International Labour Organization ‘and U.S. Health Standards. Cassiar is research-_ ing new milling technology to produce a better, more economical, product. The British Columbia Provincial Govern- ment’s agreement to provide the Company with the development loan of up to $25 million was a key factor in the decision to go under- ground. This loan helps offset the lack of in- frastructure in the area and will be repaid from a portion of the cash flow generated from the McDame deposit. Bank financing, cash flow from operations and the working capital will make up the balance of funds required. The atmosphere in the meeting room was electric as union workers, school board employees, private entrepreneurs, government employees discussed their reaction to this long awaited announcement and what it means to our community. The future for Cassiar and area is bright! NECHAKO REGION UPDATE Ross Harper, Lee Coran, Carey Moffatt and Bill Zemenchik recently attended a meeting of the Economic and Social Services Committee held on January 29th in Smithers. The Honorable Stephen Rogers chaired the meet- ing, which had representatives from Atlin, Burns Lake, Cassiar, Dease Lake, Fraser Lake, Fort St. James, Good Hope Lake, Granisle, Houston, Smithers and Vanderhoof. Coran and Harper are on the Social Services Committee and Moffatt and Zemenchik, the Economic Development Committee. Government representatives were also in attendance. The objectives of the first meeting were to become familiar with regional concerns in economic development and social ‘service. Priorities for the northern Nechako area are the provision of hydro electric power, better roads and upgrading airstrips. The Minister advised that a 60KV line would be extended to Stewart this year. The Highways Minister is presently preparing a list of priorities for all highway projects and could not give any inform- ation at this time as to what highway work will be done in the Nechako region in 1988. Concern was expressed regarding the large increase in stumpage fees, the development of a fish hatchery in the Burns Lake area and Agricultural Land Reserves in the region. - - Information should. be: eavailable » at thes next; sae ase 4 CS oe. Bees ae WO.S 828. .@ O20 4 BS sheeting ‘of thé. Committee) Se The Minister advised that studies had been done regarding completing the B.C. Rail extension to Dease Lake and that it was not feasible at this time. The lack of banking facilities in Dease Lake, Atlin, Telegraph Creek and Cassiar was discussed. Cassiar is the only one of these four centers with a bank and that is because Cassiar Mining Company pays a wea fee to the bank to provide these services. Other economic development areas touched on were the need. for a customs office in Smithers, the large increase in liquor licensing fees to non-profit organizations and small enterprizes such as hunting lodges, etc., the effect of the change in flow-through shares financing on mining development, and tourism. Because of the large physical area of the Nechako Region, some local concerns would have to be considered, all agreed that the upgrading of present highways and the building of new highways to facilitate development was necessary. Before proceeding with any plan, the Cortes felt it was important to assess the assets and liabilities of the region and how to best develop or market the assets. Consultants will be hired to assist in this process. The Social Services Committee’s main concern was the delivery of medical services to the entire area. Discussions, were hely } regarding the Aifficulty. of attracting -. $38 On Se See tt Ne eye a cate tae ‘GONT. ‘ON.PAGE 15%,