Peter Percival
Peter Percival graduated with a BSc in mining engineering from the University of Alaska in 1969. He began working for New Imperial Mines, the forerunner of Whitehorse Copper Mines, in 1970. He was hired as a geologist and worked as a miner, shift boss, project engineer, blasting engineer, and mine engineer. Peter was responsible for the success of the “vertical crater retreat” at Whitehorse Copper. He supervised the mine closure in 1983 and was one of the last people to be laid off.1)
Percival was heavily involved in public hearings held by the Yukon Utilities Board on its contentious 20-year resources plan. The Board was willing to provide financial compensation to people and individuals awarded intervener status. The hearing process, started in July 2006, ended in May 2007 and Percival applied for $11,375 in compensation. Percival believes his input was instrumental in the rejection of a $24-million purchase-power agreement between Yukon Energy and Sherwood Copper that would have brought electricity to the Minto mine.2) Percival opposed the tentative deal, saying the cost of a power line between Carmacks and Stewart Crossing should not be fronted by the Board. He also questioned Yukon Energy’s offer to take over Sherwood Copper’s diesel generators after the hydro line was operational. He called for a full public review.3)