CHON-FM FNNND Chief Dawna Hope speaks outFrom CHON_FM During the briefing, when asked about First Nation of Na-Cho Nyk Dun’s call to pause mining in its traditional territory, Minister Streicker said that the government would need time to think about it. He also said he would need some clarification; expressing concerns that the First Nation was asking Victoria Gold to leave the area before they finished cleaning.
Speaking with CHON-FM, Chief Hope provided that clarification.
“We did not ask Victoria Gold to stop cleaning up the mess that they made,” said Hope. “We asked Yukon government for a halt – a pause – and stop, temporarily, their ongoing permitting process for mining industry within our traditional territory. The Crown knows that they have a duty to consult; and right now, we can’t be consulted on ongoing projects due to the Wildland Fire evacuation notice and this emergency unfolding within the south McQuesten river valley.”
As for clean up efforts, heap leach analyst Mark Smith said at yesterday’s briefing that Eagle Gold Mine gets enough rainfall in the spring that the slide could move again. According to Minister Streicker, teams met Thursday afternoon to discuss this risk and try to develop a plan to address it.
The Government of Yukon will continue to hold weekly briefings with updates on the Eagle Gold Mine incident as necessary this summer.
https://www.chonfm.com/news/chon-fm-northern-news/fnnnd-chief-speaks-out-about-eagle-gold-mine-clean-up-efforts/
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