Mayor Peter Milobar says he’s trying to ensure KGHM-Ajax understands the concerns and frustrations of Kamloops residents as the environmental review process for the proposed mine continues.

He met a few days ago with the mine’s new public relations representative in town and sent off a letter recently asking for a meeting with mine representatives and about the 3-D modelling the company provided in a video that he and many others have felt was inadequate.

“It’s really trying to convey some of the frustration people are having out there. Why the frustration is out there in terms of misunderstanding and time lines of the process,” he said Friday.

“Certainly the pace at which some of the information has come forward is frustrating people, stuff like that.”

Milobar’s letter got a response from KGHM chief executive officer Marcin Mostowy, who wrote him back about the mayor’s letter of concern.

In it, Mostowy said KGHM is committed to being a good neighbour in Kamloops.

“We want to assure you that we are working diligently to obtain answers to all of the questions your community is asking,” he wrote.

“Representatives from our KGHM International Group would be pleased to meet with you to discuss our proposed plans and the community’s concerns.”

The letter went on to say the company is finalizing its management plans.

“Then we plan to travel to Kamloops and meet with you. We ask that you be patient with us as we finalize these plans,” Mostowy wrote.

Milobar said he thinks the company is starting to recognize people here have many concerns about the mine proposal.

“I think they’re getting it. It doesn’t hurt to repeat it,” he said.

KGHM representatives have indicated to him they’re looking at building a physical model of the mine site, possibly in some kind of a partnership with Thompson Rivers University.

“I’ve left the ball in their court to come up with something. They’re hearing the same thing in the community I’m hearing.”

They’re also looking at 3-D options and possibly some computerized images of the site, he said.

“Again, we’re going to have to wait and see what comes forward.”

Milobar said regardless of what happens, he doesn’t want to see city residents split apart by the controversial mine project.

“Do you allow any one project to rip a city apart or not? The end is, with or without a permit, we have a city of 90,000 and you want it to be as cohesive a city as possible. If they get a permit, you don’t want people living in fear.”