The future of the mining camp is the hot topic du jour in Snow Lake.
The Town of Snow Lake issued an open request last week for comments about local support for having a camp for Hudbay workers and contractors. The request for comments officially ended July 9.
“Currently in Snow Lake, we have a camp to accommodate workers and contractors working for Hudbay… What level of support or opposition do you have for a camp in town for Hudbay workers and contractors now and into the future? Is this support or opposition dependent on things like location, size or any other factor?” read a notice sent out by the Town on social media.
Hudbay plans to build a new camp near Snow Lake to accommodate workers coming to the community to work on projects in the area, including the Lalor mine, Stall concentrator, New Britannia mill and other projects in development. The exact size of the camp is not yet known and whether the new camp should be the same size as the current camp or larger is a subject for debate.
A Hudbay spokesperson said the company is currently satisfied with the camp facility as it stands, but may require expansion of the camp as plans with Snow Lake-area mining facilities advance.
“The current Snow Lake camp is sufficient for our needs at this time. As part of our transition planning, we are in early discussions with the Town of Snow Lake to determine if there are more optimal camp solutions for the future Snow Lake operations,” said the spokesperson.
While some local businesses rely on the presence of out-of-town workers, workers not living in the community year-round or purchasing property may have some long-term negative impacts on the town.
Town councillor Penny Roberts shared her views on the camp issue online, saying the workers have a role and that Hudbay has provided support for the community.
“I believe we will always need a camp for contractors, as they are here today and gone tomorrow depending on the company and its requirements at the time… these are the people spending the dollars in the local establishments,” she said.
“Hudbay has come to the table in a big way, as we now meet monthly and talks are positive on the most part. We signed a five-year agreement which allows us to do the upgrades to water and sewer, but now the provincial government is lagging and we are at a standstill.”
Roberts said she had concerns with whether having an expanded, permanent camp for Hudbay employees would dissuade people from buying homes in Snow Lake and moving to the area permanently.
“If we have a camp for employees of the company, does this encourage people to move here? Without families, will we eventually lose our school? Without people, grant offerings will be limited as they are sometimes based on numbers. Will it end up being 900 locals and 440 camp people or will it increase again to say 600 camp people? How will this affect the sustainability of the community? If they raised the Snow Lake premium, would this entice people to come?” she said.
Snow Lake Chamber of Commerce president Gerard Lamontagne said a possible removal of the camp from the community could be disastrous for some businesses.
“I can tell you that the removal of the camp from town would be absolutely devastating to our local business community,” Lamontagne said.
“The business generated by camps and dormitories in Snow Lake has played a vital role in our local economy from the inception of our community, since the late 1940s. People who were raised here have never known the town without a camp or dormitory in it.”
