Tamerlane Ventures received a warm reception Tuesday when it laid out plans to revive the defunct Pine Point lead-zinc mine during a meeting in Hay River.

Tamerlane, headed by former Giant Mine boss Margaret Kent, wants to conduct a pilot project at the site this summer, sinking a shaft and digging up a million tonnes of ore.

The Washington-based company purchased the old N.W.T. mine on the south shore of Great Slave Lake, between Hay River and Fort Resolution, in 2006.

Hay River businessman Rocky Simpson said he supports the test mine proposed by the company.

"I think it's time we had something positive, and this is a project that could be real and could be important for Hay River, and the reserve and Fort Resolution," he said. "Things here have been slow, waiting on the pipeline, on the bridge."

The company hopes to begin its pilot project at Pine Point this summer, employing up to 70 people.

If the mine is reopened, it would create an estimated 150 jobs.

The company believes strong world demand for lead and zinc should keep prices high.