RE: Letter to the EditorHere is the link to the letter to the editor. Good job again Jordon3.
https://www.gfwadvertiser.ca/index.cfm?sid=340147&sc=297
Dear Editor:
Common sense has flown the coop!
Central Newfoundland must be made aware of asituation that has impeded the economic development, job creation,increased tax base (personal and corporate) and investment opportunitiesthat would significantly benefit the province of Newfoundland. Thissituation involves the never ending (decade-long) dispute betweenVinland Resources versus the Government, Noranda and Canstar Resources.In particular, it pertains to the Mary March property located 20 kmnortheast of and within the same geological group that hosts the formerproducing Buchans mine. Discovery holes drilled in 1999 and 2000produced some of the highest-grade base and precious metal intersectionsever achieved in the area outside the Buchans mine.
It must be emphasized that this dispute isbetween Vinland Resources and the Mining Recorder (Government). This hasbeen clearly stated by the Department of Natural Resources, "as you areaware, this is largely a matter of dispute between my Department, asrepresented by the Claims Recorders Office and Vinland Resources."Canstar Resources is not involved in the litigation directly, merelycaught in the middle as the property titleholder. Canstar simply wantsto explore and develop the property and has basically been held in limbofor a decade.
Vinland Resources alleged the Mary Marchproperty was not part of the Anglo Newfoundland Development (A.N.D)Company's package and therefore open for staking. On Oct. 23, 2009,after a lengthy examination, the Mineral Rights Adjudication Boardunanimously (100 per cent) confirmed that in fact the Mary MarchProperty is part of the A.N.D. package. This very fact is what thegovernment has always represented and indicated.
The potential of this property issignificant. Government legislation could easily end this currentimpasse in a matter of days, opening up the property for CanstarResources to immediately initiate exploration. The governmentmust/should demonstrate leadership and the will to do so. Lawyers havestated time and again that the government has full authority to do so.For the government to allow this to continue for another day amounts tofurther delaying opportunities for the province of Newfoundland and itscitizens.
It's time the citizens of centralNewfoundland stand up and ask why the government hasn't resolved thisdispute for the benefit of economic development and job creation.Buchans, Buchans Junction and Millertown are the three communities thatwill significantly benefit from a potential mine. Simply changingregulations to "protect" claim holders rights could bring this to animmediate resolution.
The potential number of employees andbenefits is significant when you consider Teck's Duck Pond mine, verysimilar geologically to the Mary March Property and is located just 15km from Mary March. It employs approximately 290 people directly andcreates 500 or more spin off jobs. The services required locally tosupport such an operation are very significant.
Again, this dispute is largely betweenVinland Resources and the government. These potential jobs and serviceshave unnecessarily been put on hold due to the government’s reluctanceand lack of initiative to end this dispute. Simple and quick legislationcould/should have resolved and ended this dispute many years agoresulting in a much needed economic boost for central Newfoundland. Theconsequences of allowing this to continue are obvious.
If the government doesn't demonstrateleadership and end this ridiculous dispute, then this situation could goon for years. Continuous appeals and legal roadblocks may continue toextend this situation for as long as possible.
How many more tax dollars is the governmentwilling to waste on legal fees and the like?
Vinland Resources has lost three decisionsto date. It's time the government steps up to the plate and bringsimmediate resolution to this redundant dispute.
Don Clark
Victoria,B.C.
https://www.gfwadvertiser.ca/index.cfm?sid=340147&sc=297