a]

ng ae

Exhibit 4.1 overleaf is a summary table of the direct economic impacts during
the initial start-up phase. It can be noted that nearly 173 man-years of
employment will be provided, with wages and salaries totalling $4.3 million.
Income tax to British Columbia from the wages and salaries is estimated to be
$262 ,000 over the start-up phase. Sales tax revenue to British Columbia

from capital valuation expenditures of $8.8 million is estimated to be $584,000.

4.1.2 Direct Economic Impacts: Operating Phase

The operating phase period for the economic impact evaluation was assumed to

be 25 years. This time period coincides with the estimated mineral reserves
of the Cassiar mine. and the proposed Kutcho Creek mine near Dease Lake. The
economic impacts during the operating phase are identified on an annual basis.
The principal economic impacts resulting from the operating phase are operating
employment, wages.and salaries, materials and supplies, replacement transport
equipment, and taxes to the province and municipalities.

The annual operating employment will be around 95 persons, of whom some 64
will be employees of Cassiar Asbestos Corporation Ltd. Transport Division
relocated from Whitehorse. The total annual wages and salaries are estimated
at nearly $2.5 million. Subsequent income tax revenue to the Province of
British Columbia is estimated to be some $168,000 per year.

Truck operating expenditures including the replacement of equipment, fuel,
lubricants, tyres and other materials and supplies, are estimated to be
$600,000 per year. Similarly, tug and barge operating expenditures are
estimated to be some $29,000 per year for equipment replacement at the marine
terminal and $100,000 per year for materials and supplies for the tug and
barge operation. Replacement containers for domestic use on northbound
general freight are estimated to be some $7,000 per year.

Other operating expenditures identified are fuel taxes, motor vehicle license
fees and permits, and municipal taxes for the terminal facilities.