Protesters gathered in front of a mining company's office building in Vancouver on Wednesday afternoon in an effort to prevent a potential copper mine on Catface Mountain.

About three-dozen people from the Friends of Clayoquot Sound (FOCS) and Western Canada Wilderness Committee gathered in front of the 550 Burrard Street building in Vancouver where, inside, Imperial Metals Corporation was hosting its annual general meeting.

"A mine would blast off the top of Catface Mountain-a location highly visible from Tofino and the other communities of Clayoquot," according to a statement from the FOCS. "Copper mines are some of the worst polluting mines, so there's a lot more than just the view at stake.

The May 19 protest saw participants handing out leaflets of information, giving speeches and greeting people walking in and out of the building. Imperial acquired Selkirk Metals and is currently conducting tests on the mountain across the water from Tofino's harbour.

Catface Mountain is in the UNESCO biosphere reserve and the Ahousaht First Nation's traditional territory. Imperial signed an agreement with the Ahousaht, despite initial concerns by the hereditary chiefs, Byng Giraud, spokesperson for Imperial, said to the Victoria Times Colonist.

"We are still very much in the exploration stage," he said. Ahousaht's hereditary chiefs demanded outsiders stop undermining its leaders and their decision-making process, in a statement released May 19.

John Frank, Ahousaht's chief councillor, said no one has come forward to speak with his community in opposition to the mine. "We don't want to get confrontational with anyone...we want to get along with people in our sandbox, so to speak," Frank said. "But what is so hard with giving somebody resources?"

He said his community wants to become independent and not ride on the backs of taxpayers anymore, which is why he says having a hand in industry could offset current atrocious unemployment rates.

"Help us and say we understand where you're coming from," Frank told the Westerly. "Will we make sure that the environment is protected and kept the same after thousands of years? I think so...Will we make sure our territory is protected in the most pristine way? I think so."

Frank said he wants his neighbours to respect the First Nation's right to its territory. "Give us the chance to control industry and the company's conduct in our First Nation's territory."

Although Imperial has not decided to apply for a mining permit, if and when it does, its project must undergo a provincial and federal environmental assessment. Randy Hawes, provincial minister of state for mining, told the Times-Colonist that B.C.'s environmental review process is one of the most rigorous in North America.

"Imperial is a very, very responsible company," Hawes said. "If they find there's something there, we go into a much more extensive program-and that's where community opinion will definitely be sought."

He also pointed out the average annual salary in the mining industry is $112,000, which provides "great supports for families." Check www.westerlynews.ca for updates