Matoush Uranium Project Should be Rejected Canada: Matoush Uranium Project Should be Rejected
Published Date: 06-12-2010
Source: MiningWatch Canada, CNW
Source Date: 02-12-2010
Matoush Uranium Project Should be Rejected say MiningWatch, Cree Nation of Mistissini and Others
MiningWatch Canada
24 November 2010
Mistissini Cree Nation - The message was clear - reject StratecoResources' proposal for an advanced uranium exploration project at itsMatoush site In the Otish Mountains.
The message came from Mistissini Chief Richard Shecapio, fromMiningWatch Canada, from the Canadian Coalition for NuclearResponsibility, from Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and fromindividuals living in Mistissini and from southern Québec who traveledhere for the first of two public hearings on the proposed project.
The first to present was Ramsey Hart of MiningWatch Canada. Mr. Harthighlighted a number of fundamental weaknesses in the proponentsjustification and impact assessment for the project giving examples ofseveral assertions made by the company that were not backed up byevidence. Two of the most serious flaws, in Hart's view, were thefailure to address how the 2.4 km underground ramp would interact withgroundwater and the failure to provide information about the mineStrateco hopes the advanced exploration project will lead to. He quotedinformation from an April 2010 document, not included in theenvironmental impact statement, that 2-million tonnes of tailings wouldbe dumped into two nearby lakes. "These are the kinds of issues weshould be discussing now" said Hart.
Gordon Edwards from the Coalition for Nuclear Responsibilityreviewed aspects of the project documents for MiningWatch. He pointedto the companies failure to provide information on basic aspects ofradiation and its hazards while identifying important errors in thecalculation of the concentrations of radioactive materials in the rocksfrom the project site.
In his address, Chief Shecapio was critical of Strateco for theirfailure to provide adequate information, answer the community'squestions and to gain their trust. He expressed his community's concernover the potential for lasting impacts to wildlife and about theproximity of the project to a newly formed national park. The lack ofcare taken in developing their impact statement made him question howcareful the company would be in implementing the project. He alsostated that the mining of uranium would go against fundamental valuesof the Cree.
Thomas Coon, a Cree elder made an eloquent and passionate speechcomparing the feeling in the room to the feeling in the community whenit was faced with massive hydro-electric developments in theirterritory. He described it as: "the feeling of fear, the feeling ofthreat, the feeling of uncertainty that something is going to happen toour land, the land that we love."
Of the 10 presentations made to the panel tonight, none weresupportive of the project. A second hearing is planned for the Town ofChibougamau on Thursday.
For Additional Information:
Ramsey Hart, Canada Program Coordinator, MiningWatch Canada
ramsey(at)miningwatch.ca
cell: (613) 614-9937
Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) Supports Mistissini's Position on the Matoush Project
CNW
25 November 2010
NEMASKA, Eeyou Istchee - The Grand Council of the Crees (EeyouIstchee) wishes to acknowledge and provide full support to the CreeNation of Mistissini's decision to reject a proposal for a uraniumexploration mine within their territory.
Earlier today, Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come expressed his thoughts about Mistissini's rejection of the Matoush Proposal:
"Being from Mistissini myself, I know the community's decision wasnot taken lightly. It took several years of fact finding and soulsearching. Decisions of this nature are especially difficult for FirstNations, particularly at a time when we are seeking out developmentproposals to address very real employment challenges. The Cree Nationas a whole remains open to mining development opportunities that arecompatible with the Cree way of life. However, as Mistissini indicated,the community felt the potential impacts of this proposal far outweighits benefits. With this in mind, the Grand Council of the Crees (ofEeyou Istchee) will respect and support Mistissini's decision."
The Grand Chief's comments are in stark contrast to previous reportsin the media that incorrectly stated that the Grand Council of theCrees (Eeyou Istchee) had previously supported the Matoush project.
For further information:
Bill Namagoose (613) 725-7024
Romeo Saganash (418) 564-1598 (French Enquiries)