Hosting mine tours to all who are interested
YELLOW DOG PLAINS -- The public has spoken, and Rio Tinto says they've listened. The community has requested more communication and transparency about the Kennecott Eagle Mine Site.
In response, Rio Tinto is offering public tours of the facility. Saturday, dozens were eager for one of the first-ever public viewings of the project that has garnered community attention and controversy for years. It's just one of four tours the company is offering in response to requests for more community access to the site.
"The activities up here are second to none, and we just want to show people what we're doing here," says Principal Advisor for Communities and Social Performance for Rio Tinto's Kennecott Eagle Mine Project, Chantae Lessard.
According to Rio Tinto, anyone who is interested in the tour and registers is welcome. For the first four tours, they've received an overwhelming response; all are currently booked, and there's a waiting list.
As part of the tour Saturday, guests entered the reverse osmosis water treatment plant where employees explained how all the water on site is treated through a series of processes. They say these processes exceed worldwide standards to protect the area's water quality. They also got an up close look at some of the equipment that will be used underground and a bus tour of the premises.
For some, it was a long-awaited, eye-opening experience.
"I learned what they've been doing, and they're taking great interest in taking care of everything properly," said tour guest Bill Taitale.
"Part of the mystery is taken away; it's a great opportunity to show what we're doing and we're very proud," Lessard said.
There are currently 60 people on the waiting list, so Rio Tinto is hoping to create additional tour dates before winter and will be releasing that information when it's available.
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