TOFINO — Jobs and taxes are the only two benefits an open-pit copper mine in Clayoquot Sound would bring to adjacent communities and the provincial government, says an independent mining analyst.

Arthur Caldicott, who has worked as an energy analyst for 10 years, told about 60 community members gathered inside Tofino’s Royal Canadian Legion Tuesday night that a mine on Catface Mountain would, however, cause problems for salmon-bearing streams.

He said a mine would also require massive amounts of power – as much as one-ninth of the power generated by the planned Site C Dam in northern B.C. – require construction of transmission lines and roads and lead to acid-metal drainage into the local environment.

“You’ll forgive me for this horribly crude metaphor,” said Caldicott.

“Mining companies are very much like dogs after a bitch in heat. You know there’s no thinking going on there. They are just profit oriented. Mining is their business.”

He said the companies don’t have “warm hearts for your concern about the fish.”

“They’re focused on that one thing.”

A resident of Victoria, Caldicott travelled to Tofino to attend a public meeting organized by NDP MLA Scott Fraser.

Fraser told the mostly sympathetic crowd he’s received lots of calls from constituents who are concerned about the Imperial Metals Corporation’s plans for Catface Mountain.

A Vancouver-based company, Imperial Metals Corporation bought out Selkirk Metals Corp. in November 2009 and now holds mining rights to Catface Mountain.

Caldicott told the crowd the company has two good reasons to mine Catface.

He said the world demand for copper is insatiable, and the life of an Imperial Metals mine known as Huckleberry is ending in 2012.

“They’ve got pretty strong incentive to get another mine operating someplace to keep those revenues up and keep their shareholders happy.”

He said a mine could be operational in three to four years, employ 250 to 360 people and have a lifespan of 30 to 40 years.

Several community members also raised concerns about a potential copper mine.

Joe James, a member of the Ahousaht First Nation, said he is opposed to a mine on Catface Mountain because of the environmental impacts.

He said his family maintains a camp and trap lines at the base of the mountain.

“That mountain has a spiritual significance to us,” he said.

John Caton, secretary treasurer of the Wilderness Tourism Association, said his resort, the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, has been talking to the Ahousaht First Nation about creating an eco-resort on Catface Mountain.

Caton said he can’t believe people are actually discussing a mine in a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

He said a mine would “rip families apart” in Ahousat.

To survive, he added, the Ahousaht need economic opportunities, too.

Only one person who appeared to support the mine spoke up during the meeting.

Early on, the unidentified man said “that’s why we need to mine, then,” when Caldicott was explaining how much copper society uses.

No other company officials identified themselves.