RE:RE:«Yukon First Nation calls for halt of mining on its land🇨🇦 So first of all, here's a link from National News that opens and doesn't require a subscription.
Halt mining in Yukon should says Na-Cho Nyk Dun chief (aptnnews.ca)
And here's some comments I have in relations to its contents:
The First Nation of the Na-Cho Nyk Dun says it wants an “immediate halt” of all mining activity in Yukon and is calling for an “urgent Independent Investigation and Review of the region’s most recent and potentially catastrophic mining failure,” at the Eagle mine site.
[HB77 - So this is still a "potentially catasrophic mining failure" is it? Hmmm, nothing new to report then]
“We have been sounding the alarm for decades on the need for sustainable development and responsible mining,” said Chief Dawna Hope in a statement released on Wednesday. “The integrity of our lands, people and ecosystems are our top priority.
[HB77 - Go read the 2023 Technical Report and then the HLF Manual Chief Hope and then try and convince me that that no one is listening to your 10 years of alarm sounding. If after all the steps taken and consultation process, the FN peoples didn't want mining in their Territory due to the risk, then why did your people agree to the project going ahead and waste million of investor's dollars? This mine has cost upwards of $600 million to build and has employed a significant number of FN people and provided significant prosperity to the Territory. Did you not think there was any risk whatsoever to build a Heapl Leach Mine in your Territory? If what is still a "potential catastrope" is proven to be a 'real catastrophe' then your concerns will certainly have more merit. In the meantime, stirring up the FN people about a "potential Catastrophe" before the facts are known is not leadership.]
“There must be an independent investigation and review immediately to understand environmental impacts from this disaster.”
[HB77 - Really? And what do you think is occurring right now? The Mining and Resource officials are Yukon Governemnt employees and don't work for Victoria Gold. If you think there is some sort of conflict there then hire independent experts to work with them so we don't have to do all this twice. This way everyone will all be on the same page and we can all get to the bottom of this a lot sooner.]
The territory said it would hold another technical briefing Thursday.
[HB77 - The Minister announced last week that further Technical meetings would occur each Thursday and so the next meeting is tommorrow - July 4th where we all should expect to learn more facts about this incident. Why would you choose to do a news release today ahead of that meeting instead of waiting one more day? This is the legal authority that is in charge, if you / FN people don't trust them, then why are they in this position? The Minister of Yukon Mining and Resources is apponted by the Yukon Government that is elected by the Yukon people so we need to all respect that process and let them do their job.]
“The severity of contamination from cyanide and other chemicals has not been publicly conveyed,” said a statement from Hope. “This event has implications on all life in the region, including salmon stock recovery, something so crucial that Alaska and Canada recently committed to a seven-year moratorium on salmon fishing. Cyanide contamination of the land and water has implications for spawning rivers and their tributaries and for all life in the area.”
[HB77 - You speak Chief Hope like you already have factual information about the "severity of contamination" that has not yet been publicly conveyed. Or did you mean to say the "potential" severity of contamination? If you don't have factual knowledge of this then why make the statement and restate your concerns about the environment, fish, wildlife, etc. Everyone is well aware of these concerns and restating them over and over doesn't help the situation. ]
“We will pursue every available avenue, including legal options, to protect and preserve our rights and to ensure that this environmental catastrophe is addressed and the lands and waters of our Territory are safe for the fish, wildlife, and people that have relied on them for generations,” said Hope.
[HB77 - Of course you will and that's your full right to do so. And "to ensure that this environmental catastrophe is addressed and the lands and waters of our Territory are safe for the fish, wildlife, and people that have relied on them for generations,” . There you go again with that word 'catasrophe', even though the facts are still sparse at best. ]
PTN News asked the Yukon government about the concerns from the First Nation and call for a halt to mining. In an email statement, the territory doesn’t address the request for a moratorium but said it “remains committed” to working with First Nation of Na-Cho Nyk Dun.
[HB77 - Are you suggesting Chief Hope that all mining in the Yukon be halted? Exploration work too and all the employees just go home? Because the Eagle Mine operations is already Halted since the event last week so that the company, the official authorities, an FN hired experts can all sort through this mess and figure out next steps. Asking; Are we there yet? is like the annoying kid in the back seat on the way to Grandma's place.]
“Our top priority in the immediate term is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of people and the environment,” the statement said.
[HB77 - Everyone is working hard to assess if and what level of contamination occurred and may exist and mitigate that first. If you think this isn't everyone's top priority right now then I'n not sure what else you expect.]
I respect the FN people's traditional land rights and concerns about this event and truly hope this event is not the catastrophe it is perceived to be. But I disagree with the way the FN leaders and some FN people are putting the cart before the horse. If this does turn out to be as bad as is perceived, then instead of standing around and pointing fingers, how about show some leadership and work together to get this issue resolved quickly (which I believe is what we all want). Investors are vicitms in all of this as well and they deserve a little consideration and respect from FN in all this as well. Let's hope tomorrow's Technical meeting and hopefully public statement provides some solid facts as to where things really stand.
My opinion only.
HB77