Victoria Gold Corp VITFF

The double standards of Yukon Government

[KenoHillYT]

I wouldn't be surprised if more people are going to be forthcoming in the next while.


This account came from an ex-VG employee who went through the days directly after the spill and the immediate reaction by YTG to just "throw" undoable edicts around to "fix" this.

For example,  build the berm "now" when site engineers on site said no due to safety concerns.  I agree with John McConnell for saying no.  I would listen to my engineering team in an abundance of caution rather complying with some YTG official(s) directing what I must do.  At least YTG stopped short of having John McConnell arrested for non-compliance.;)

By this account VG was doing what was required, according to the safety plan, should the absolute "unthinkable" breach of containment happen.  It states there was always to enough equipment ready to mobilize and start dealing with containment.  That would have been job one, not running around counting the poor Sculpin that perished.

How many fish were exterminated when the slide happened, probably a lot more as there are reports of people needing fish for sustenance from the area, so why focus on these ones?.  As an aside the Yukon fish issue is larger than Haggert Creek and is a mess from 125 years of place and sluicing activity with debris left over and no one careing.  It's an inconvenient fact the world over that mining is such.

"The government's Sept. 6 news release declared the original camp unsafe, announcing that a new camp had been constructed. Yet, a mere two days later, all workers were moved back into the original camp, now apparently deemed safe again"

YTG needs to expand on this as it appears? they have been advised that the remaining in-heap pond is now empty and the slide area is now safe with the remaining majority of the Phase 1 maaterial now stable?

"They also insisted upon water treatment capabilities, at unattainable rates, within four days. In contrast, the receiver takes a month to complete a much smaller pond, and a new water treatment contractor, ousting the existing contractor, gets weeks to "get up to speed."

Four days?  I can just imagine what site thought of that, I can assure you the team was not high-fiving that edict.

"The government's handling of this situation risks undermining confidence in its ability to foster a predictable and stable regulatory environment, which is crucial for attracting responsible investment and ensuring the sustainable development of the Yukon's mining sector."

YTG needs to get serious, YTG is all for bringing in the investors cash into the generally environmental risk free junior mining sector, you know, flying around prospecting, getting funding, drilling a few holes, reporting great core results and generally whipping investors expectations into a frenzy with the net result of bringing more cash into the government coffers.

Back to VG loss of containment engineering needs to do a RESET on how these HLF's are designed and the assumptions being made as to how they perform in the "real world".

PS  Badger nice to hear from you. :)

https://www.yukon-news.com/opinion/letter-the-double-standards-of-yukon-government-7532547