Pillai: Where Things Appear to Stand Now Yukon premier says he won’t halt mining on First Nation but will pause new projects
By Sara Connors
Aug 06, 2024
Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai said his government isn’t prepared to halt all mining activity on the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyk Dun’s (FNNND) traditional territory – though it is willing to grant some of the community’s requests.
In late June, Victoria Gold’s Eagle Gold mine experienced a landslide allowing cyanide to be released into the surrounding environment.
On July 3, the First Nation released a statement demanding the government stop all exploration and mining activities in its traditional territory.
In a statement released Aug. 5, Pillai said he responded to Chief Dawna Hope four weeks later on July 31.
“The scope and nature of FNNND’s request to halt all exploration and mining activities on their Traditional Territory has significant legal and economic consequences,” he said.
“The Yukon government is not prepared to halt all existing, permitted mineral development activities in FNNND’s Traditional Territory.” (note: Casino is not on FNNND Traditional Territory, so I do not know how much any of this applies to us anyway).
The statement notes mining companies’ ability to operate in the territory is protected under federal and territorial legislation, as well as the Umbrella Final Agreement (UFA).
The UFA sets provisions for individual First Nations with Final Agreements.
“Acting on the request from FNNND to stop all exploration and mining activities on FNNND Traditional Territory would require the Government of Yukon to take actions not contemplated in the statutes born of the Umbrella Final Agreement, such as the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA) or the Waters Act,” he said.
Pillai said the statues ensure mining activity in the territory is conducted in a way that considers environmental protection, socio-economic impacts, and Aboriginal and treaty rights.
“The consequences of (halting mining activity) would be significant, with serious and far-reaching consequences for all Yukoners,” he said.
RANJ PILLAI
Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai says halting all mining activity on the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyk Dun’s traditional territory would have serious consequences for the territory.
Council of the Federation
The government open to other requests
However, Pillai said his government was open to FNNND’s request to halt the staking of new mineral claims.
It proposed applying a prohibition of entry on new staking claims in areas of cultural and environmental importance “where mining would be an incompatible activity.”
Pillai also said the government has agreed to pause existing consultation processes and not commence new consultations within FNNND’s traditional territory for two months. The pause would not include decisions made on applications that FNNND has already been consulted on and are almost closed.
Pillai said the government has further committed to not licensing another heap leach facility in the territory until an independent review board on the incident is formed.
(i am not clear if this is referring to FNNND Traditional Territory or the whole Yukon Territory).