I a iainad " teeee w + eye | oot Vi a?) eee py FarLEo ous: VICI INT oe, wok Vayel f ; “ if” ' . ty — + RUPERT STEEL a SALYARE LTD, ) _ TERRACE-KITIMAT COPPER BRASS. Se | | ALLMETALS | & BATTERIES | , MOK. = SAT. OPEN TLS pn, Lecation Seal Gove Phone 626-5839 = a VOLUME 72 No, 109 20° TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1978 -The Alcan administradon bullding focated at the ‘Kidmat smelter. The decisions to buy 9$@0 million worth of Japanese technology were made in this ‘pailding by key personnel, * ecaused by a hot steam pipe At Kitimat Alcan changes result of study | by Scott Browes One of the major reasons why the Alcan Kitimat” smelter is to get Japanese technology aimed at im- proving productivity and working environment is ‘‘as aresult of the findings of the . McGill University health study released in March 1977 which showed some Increase time but no change is ex- pected,” said Cambridge. This first phase is planned to be completed by late 1979 and is seen by company officials as a demonstration, rather than a test. “The demonstration is for setting up of training packages and operating ‘procedures,’ says Cam- in risk of contracting lung ' bridge. eancer’ after. 21.3 years of exposure to tar fimes in the ““Pidtlings of AS dhd C, (Alean - Smeltera and Chemicals), eastern smelter In Arvida Quebec,”’,says Alcan public relations manager Brian Hemingway. . Technology is being bought from Sumitomo and NKK, (an Alcan affillate), of Japan which will “hopefully save up to 15 percent of the energy now used and in- crease productivity significantly,’’ - Hemingway. . Dr. E.L. Cambridge is themanager in charge of the division of the smelter which the new technology will most effect. Dr. Cambridge explains that the first phase of the project is the in- stitution of the new technology in 25 pots, electrolytic celis, changing them from the traditional method to the new Japanese method. This project is estimated to cost $8 million “There is no way to estimate any change in the alze of the workforce at this What’ are the actual ‘changes the technology will ‘bring? Details could x nit be“ released by the officials due to a binding agreement, but generally speaking the two -Officials sald that a change in ‘anode materials and some operating practices con- Btitute the~ acquired technology. Kitimat is the only vertical anode stud plant owned by AS and C in Canada, this is why only Kitimat is to said receive the new technology which is specifically designed for vertical anode atud electrolytic cells. Some basic operating practices will change. “‘A re- orientation of the workers will be part of the training program,’ explained Cambridge. The training will be for all potroom workers who must adjust to the new pots. Workers will not be more | apecialized in their duties, assured Hemingway, “Just have different jobs centering around monitoring the Maintenance of the pots will stil be required, as is The smelter presently holds two development lines of pots, about 140 cells, part of which will be demonstration area. These new pots will not look any different to the untrained eye, according to Cam beige. Two changes tha’ be visual are crane and , pt hdr modifications, . The . existing . anes, run. ‘along each: potroom d heavy jobs with a cab about 40 feet above the floor. The new cranes will be a gondola type, with the cab suspended lower tothe floor which will allow for ter IMmaneuverability. Crust- ‘breakers will have new dities. Mitted itmelf to 25 new pits * plus one building, about 70 pots, to be equipped with the new technology. Tn its entirety the project all 900 cells over to the Japanese method, contingent wpen demon- stration results, is estimated to run at 660 million but must Toe company is boning to have eal exchange personn the Japanese firms during the demonstration stages of instituting the new pots. June 2 was the date when the official decision to- purchase the Japanese methods was made, but “this has been on ongoing project of investigation forthe ‘last - two years,” explained Emissions area priorityto Cambridge. the workers in the smelter. The internal environment of the potrooms has caused the ‘company to institute the wearing of protective dust masks but ia expected to be discontinued with the new technology. “The new pots will bring working en- vironment tar exposure levels down to below government — established levels. should remove the necessity for protective masks,” according to Cambridge. This is seen as the long-term solution to working environment problems, according to Cambridge. The company has com- tleast fifty miles ‘Highway 16 between Tervace and Prince Rupert, telephone poles rere heen sty ile Bie with a saw and placed parallel to the road on the shoulder overlooking the Skeena river. Unsecured as they are, some of the logs have moved and are in a dangerous position close to the road where they could pose a threat to drivers having toswer ve onto the ahoulder to avoid oncoming traffic, eee (en The plant now hap a modernization program updating stud maintenance, lighting, and bullding ven- tation as well as other aspects of the plant which are becoming antiquated which will continue with the new methods. technology ‘will begin. after ogy the details are recelved fram Japan, within a month Hemingway estimates, and engineering plans are :completed, De Rails SMITHERS, B.C. (CP) — The Canadian - National Ralivays ne between Prince George and Prince ‘Rupert was reopened to traffic early today after three derallments in as Many days forced a tem- porary closure, CNR of- ficials said. Officials reported a grain car deralled Wednesday in a tunnel near New Hazelton and Thursday two grain cars and two cabooses were Geralled near Telkwa. The latest derailment, in- volving 29 cars, occurred Friday about 15 kilometres weat of Houston. 2 die when truck burns SMITHERS, B,C, (CP) — two persons died early today when the semi-trailer truck in which they were riding overturned and burned about five kilometres east of this weat-central community. Names of the vietims were not released Hiker dies KEREMEGS, B.C, Aah _ Scatt Atkinson, 20,.of 1108 Highland Drive Weat Van- . couver, a student of Canadian Outward Bound Mountain School, co! and died Saturday while on an organized hike. - Kitimat | “company = in Youth drowns in Diana Lake - Sixteen year old Jefirey Warner, of Prince Rupert, drowned while attending a party at Diana Lake, near Prince Rupert, on Friday, June 2. He was reported missing by friends who had observed him awimming into the lake and disappear, according to > Prince Rupert RCMP. His body was recovered by divers at a.m. Saturday, after police and Rescue 15 personnel had been called in at 11:50 p.m.,, - Friday night, . Jeffrey was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Warner, of Prince Rupert.: RCMP . Report Eurocan Puip and Paper Fitimat reported a small fire oc- curring at thelr plant on Saturday at'about 9:45 p.m. The blaze was apparently which is adjacent to hog fuel bins and South East wall 2X8's. .The flammable materials were within close range, according to Kuracan. fire chief G. White. Damage of the blaze was estimated at $50, Kitimat RCMP report a digital watch found in the Kildala neighbourhood.,. ‘owner may claim aft the Public Safety Building. Also turned in at the police. station were: a pair of blue | jeans, a beige pull-over hirt, a pair of size four Six Million Dollar Man sneakers and ai small amount of money, All items “were found near: Haisla ’ bridge. Owner(s maycain at the” "Public Safety ~~ A false-alarm fire was _ Teported on Saturday night. | The Kitimat fire department would like stress that not only are false alarms costly ta the municipality but they are dangerous. If & real fire was burning while fire personnel attend a fage alarm the result could -be catastrophe. Milfoil study - VICTORIA (CP) — The ministry of environment has appointed two biologists to carry outa survey of lakes in Oritish Columbia to document the spread of the Eurasian milfoll weed a spokesman said today. A recent survey of 200 lakes showed that milfoil has spread to Magic Lake on Pender Island, numerous ponds in the Greater Van- couver area and = is threatencng Centennial beach in Delta, the spokesmannsaid. - He said the survey, which ‘will include most lakes in the province, will take most’ of thesummer to complete. If it is found ‘the .weed is spreading, more money will be spent next year to combat the problem, he said. — The sun shone bright upon the crowd and competitors Saturday and Sunday during the Loggers Sports Days ; events. Pictures and results inside, British Columbia, - Salmon Derby “Surprise” HAINES,, Alaska (AP) - ‘This community's annual saimon derby was one of the best ever until their Panadian neighbors were zd out. The Canadians, who come from just across the border ‘in the Yukon Territory and were ordered out of the derby as a * result of the termination ofa United.” States-Canadian fishing :treaty.. ten lene te i cee HALIFAX (CP) — There . was no sign of U.S. fishing vessels’ operating in. waters. off the Canadian East Coast on Monday as a two-way ban imposed by thé two countries went into full effect. H.Douglas Johnston, Atlantic regional director for ‘the Canadian ‘fisheries department, said “it looks as if the American fishermen are co-operating." He said fisheries patrol vessels and aircraft saw mo sign of U.S. fishermen taking catemes in the Canadian zone in checks of the area Monday afternoon. The fishing ban went inte effect at noon local times Sunday, but the U.S.- registered vessels were given another 24 hours to haul their nets and steam out of Canadian waters. Canadian fishermen in U.S, waters were expected to meet the same deadline. However, fishing con- tinued uninterrupted for Canadians and Americans alike in one area off the East Coast: a disputed section’ of “My God, they’re our neighbors,’ said Dave Olerud, chairman of the derby. “The damage created internationally probably wasn’t as serlous as the damage created locally.” Wendy Hyde, a city hall spokesman, said ‘this . is . terrible for Haines since the Canadians make up most of . . the.tourists. in the city.” All quiet on fishing front Georges’ Bank, a rich -scallop-fishing ground of southwestern Nova Scotia. Both Canada and the United ‘States claim ownership of the bank, SEE NO CHANGE No dramatic change in surveillance of Canadian East Const waters was planned with the imposition of the ban, officials said. Surveillance has not been changed since Canada im- plemented its 200-mile zone in 1977. ; . “We carry out daily surveillance all year long, practically, and this b has not been escalated,” Johnston The fine for violating the ban ranges from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the amount of fish the intruding vessel has caught, _ Meanwhile, the queation of Canadian fish exports to the United States.was raised on at least two fronts ashore, He said it was possible he and his counterparts in New- foundland and Nova Scotia would meet within a month. The U.S. Coast Guard sald that from 180 to 200 Canadians had. been par- ticipating until they were evicted on the last day of the event, ; Olerud said the derby had been “fantastic this year. The fish were superior. The ‘largest was 52 pounds.” The winner got $1,000. He said the Coast Guard posted a tictice at ‘noon agreeable and no strong action was taken.’ The community of 463 persons is located 120 - Kilometres north of Juneau and about 26 kilometres from theB.C. border. The Alaska state ferry system links up with a loop of the Alaska ay here, ‘The situation causes some serious 5 for Haines since we are 50 close to the border,’ said Olerud. Canada and the U.S. authorized thelr coasi guards to arrest fishermen from each other’s country at noon Monday after'a 24-hour grace perlod elapsed. The grace period was intended to allow fishermen time to “understand the rules," said a Coast Guard spokesman jn Juneau. _ Weather: Continued sunny arid hot today. Employees at the local Pacific Northern Gas building pui up picket Unes Monday morning at 6:15 following last week's strike action by workers in Vancouver. ployees of the company have been represented by the + Em- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) since May, 1977, and have been attempting to finalize a first agreement since that date, until negotiations broke down, A spokesman for the union said the next step will be to negotiate with individual customers of PNG asking ~ them to convert to alternate fuel sources rather than fas. “That will reduce consumption of natural fas ” drastically,’’ the spokesperson said.