It's been 20 years since Taseko Mines Ltd. reopened the Gibraltar Mine north of Williams Lake.
To mark the milestone, Taseko hosted an anniversary party in Williams Lake Wednesday, Feb. 5 at the Fox's Den Restaurant. Members of the management team, former employees, suppliers, business partners, contractors and government officials were among those who filled the room.
"We've worked hard to ensure that we are giving people career opportunities and to live a productive and successful life here in the community," said Taseko president and CEO Stuart McDonald who joined Taseko in 2013.
McDonald outlined some of the mine's economic influence.
There are 700 direct jobs at Gibraltar and a total of 2,860 jobs when suppliers and contractors are taken into consideration, he said.
Taxes paid by the mine and the employees have also generated substantial revenue for to provincial, municipal and federal governments, he added.
"Looking ahead we have a great future," McDonald said. "We still have got over 20 years of reserves in front of us and we are going to be here for decades to come."
Recently the company commissioned an economic impact study for the mine that McDonald said will be released to the public next week.
Chief operating officer Richard Tremblay, who was general manager of Gibraltar for five years, said the mine's success comes down to the people - the management team, contractors, suppliers, retirees and government officials who have been involved.
"The mine site itself wants to be an active contributor to the community and we've encouraged our employees to reside in the communities," he added. "That's been the attraction and that's what we have used for recruitment and retention of the folks we have here."
Vice-president and general manager of Gibraltar Ben Pierce has worked at Gibraltar for almost 17 years.
"Reflecting on the last 20 years, I know it wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and collaboration of so many of you in this room," he said, adding he considers it a privilege to work at Gibraltar and does not take it for granted.
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said the city is grateful for the investment into the region by Taseko and thanked everyone working at the mine for helping toward the success of Williams Lake.
"Taseko's commitment to safety and sustainability is very key to its success and is very impressive and I wish you continued success," Rathor said.
Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson was unable to attend in person but sent a video greeting.
He thanked the company for creating an "incredible economy around the mine."
Cariboo Prince George Conservative MP Todd Doherty seized the opportunity to make a political comment.
"Now more than ever, we need only look at the news and social media to see that we need more projects like this to make sure that Canada is more reliant on ourselves and in companies and projects such as what we see here," Doherty said. "I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Taseko for believing in our communities."
Bill Chestnut worked at Gibraltar Mine right from the beginning when it opened in 1972. He attended the party with his wife Donna.
"I made a living and supported my family and I was happy with how I was treated," he said of what kept him there through all those years.
Tremblay said Taseko is presently building a new mine project in Florence, Arizona an hour's drive from Phoenix that will be open and operating by the end of this year.
He also referenced Taseko's Yellowhead Project, an open-pit mine project proposed for the Clearwater Vavenby area.
Taseko has opened an office in Barriere and hopes to begin the permitting process by the end of 2025 or early 2026 for that project, he said.
