Western Copper and Gold Corp T.WRN

Yukon Chamber of Mines wants Gateway Roads Sped Up

[EvenSteven27]

Yukon Chamber of Mines wants action on road building promises
 
  
Resource Gateway program announced by Prime Minister to appreciative mining executives in 2017
Dave Croft - CBC News
Posted: 1 Hour Ago
 
Trudeau Yukon
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses mining executives and media in Whitehorse in 2017 announcing the Resource Gateway initiative. (Dave Croft/CBC)

The Yukon Chamber of Mines says the territorial government needs to speed up implementation of the Resource Gateway program announced more than three years ago.
 
The program announcement was the highlight of Justin Trudeau's first visit to Yukon as prime minister.
 
Yukon Premier Sandy Silver and Trudeau jointly pledged just over $360 million in funding to build and upgrade mining roads. Mining companies promised another $108 million.
 
The main targets of the money were connecting Newmont's Coffee gold project to roads in the goldfields south of Dawson City, Casino's copper-gold mining project west of Carmacks to the Freegold Road and Selwyn Chihong's zinc-lead property north of Watson Lake, accessed by the Nahanni Range Road.
 
The Chamber of Mines is worried that funding might dry up if it's not used soon, said executive-director Samson Hartland.
 
"We continue to be deeply disappointed that none of the projects are moving forward in any manner," said Hartland, "and even more concerned that if government doesn't move quickly to allocate the funds and commence the projects, that federal funding might be reallocated elsewhere," he said.
 
Hartland said one of the biggest challenges facing resource exploration is a lack of transportation infrastructure.
 
"I don't think you can overstate, you know, a half billion dollar commitment to infrastructure development in the territory that has some of the best infrastructure and the best geology in the world," he said.
 
Yukon Highways and Public Works minister Richard Mostyn said the government is moving ahead with the program.
 
It announced last week that it has an agreement with the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation to upgrade three bridges on the Freegold Road. The government previously announced a bypass to keep mining related traffic out of Carmacks.
 
Mostyn said the government also has an agreement with the Liard First Nation to improve bridges on the Nahanni Range Road and improve the Robert Campbell Highway.
 
He said there's also an agreement with the Ross River Dena Council to improve the North Canol Road and the roads between Faro and Ross River. These were not part of the original Resource Gateway program.
 
Work on roads in the goldfields south of Dawson City has not begun, Mostyn said, because the government is still negotiating an agreement with the Trondk Hwchin First Nation.
 
"It's the signing of that agreement with affected First Nations that allows us to start the planning and tendering and execution of those construction projects," Mostyn said.

[jclarke042]

Anyone else see this yesterday? ATAC Resources down 25% after Yukon rejected a formerly agreed to road because one of the First Nations objected to it. I'm sorry but I find it outrageous projects are simply denied becaue a small, and otherwise insignificant group of people say NO. Maybe Paul needs to still be carving Pumpkins, or dressing up as Santa this year. https://www.newswire.ca/news

[cb2task]

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[blueboron99]

FYI, a copy of the Wildlife Baseline Report prepared by by EDI - Environmental Dynamics Incorporated for the proposed Casino mine. Page 4, the Executive Report discusses the Woodland Caribou Klaza Herd that migrates through the area /or may frequent the Casino landbase. https://casinomining.com/_resources/proposal/A.12B_Wildlife_Baseline_Report.pdf (bb-99)

[EvenSteven27]

Yes, I am in on ATAC, as well. Graham Downs is threatening a lawsuit. Ranji Pillai says not outright rejection and can always be resubmitted. Two groups oppose on two separate grounds: 1. The FNs want to be assured access and hunting rights, and 2. The Yukon Conservation Society under Randi Newton doesn't want develop in the watershed area. Think Downs would be better off sitting down at the

[EvenSteven27]

We are in a different boat than ATAC...we already have full government and FN support. ATAC was only proposing a single lane dirt tote road with no, or minimal, environmental impact. However, access and hunting rights were not solidified. The conservation society would never have the power to block on their own...they just love making noise. 

[MetalMinded]

Wonder if our negative action today is a result of this bad news for ATAC?  TIming seems to line up.  We need to do what we can to remove infrastructure uncertainty by getting signed agreements with the associated FN.  Then it's just constrcution uncertainty.

[cb2task]

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[Heywood_Silvers]

I reached out to Graham today and discussed the tote road.  We both agree that the goal is to arrive at an amicably achieved solution with all parties.  I assured him that shareholders such as myself who believe in the project aren't jumping ship - we have seen this rodeo before with the permitting hurdles and back and forth with the indigenous peoples.  They just want their

[EvenSteven27]

No worries, heywood...I have exactly the right amount of my portfolio in both WRN and ATAC...I believe WRN holds the motherlode for their district and ATAC holds the motherlode for their district...should be noted that Graham Downs was a chief Geologist for Cathro & Archer for several years before ATAC ... in fact, they got this property from Cathro & Archer. Yes, they do need to reach an

[cb2task]

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[Heywood_Silvers]

Well, if the natives want to join the 21st centruy, they should appreciate the opportunity for jobs and a future.  How many jobs are they providing on their own?! Here in the States, sad truth is that the Native Americans rely on casinos to generate tribal revenues.  Ain't got that up in the Yukon I bet.  Selling hides and crafts won't cut it, you need a real economy in the

[cb2task]

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[cb2task]

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[EvenSteven27]

Believe that's the plan, CB, from i've been hearing through the grapevine. Everything is on track...in that direction.

[cb2task]

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[EvenSteven27]

You hit the nail with staged mining, CB...finding more is cream and to help market the project...staged mining comes first.

[EvenSteven27]

Oxide caps = lower strip ratio...good economics for WRN... leave minerals in sulphide for later. WRN will likely go after the oxide caps first...an educated person gave me their two cents on this...and it's somebody I trust...no vested interest.