Right now VG is concentrating on safety, stabilization and env. cleanup. That's what they need to be doing and one which I agree with. Get on with it.
There's some boots (no offence) on the ground doing the heavy env. lifting and specialists that will probably expand. Should the camp be moved.or abandoned, oh yeah, great! EMR is going put new rules, regulations and designs on that .OK
Now there is no reason they can't move forward with planning. Now if JM or Legal is waiting to close shop then they migh just want to come out an say it. Like others have mentioned the silence is deafening.
First I am more familiar silver processing via floatation systems, producing concentrate and shipping to say a smelter in Montana. ;) But Engineers being the sneaky (smart) ppl they are know that gold can be processed other than with an HLP in the mix. ;) And as many of you may have surmissed I am not a willing numbers guy unless I am dragged into a boadroom kicking and screaming to pore over books anf finances. Oh yeah and forensic accounting is the worst imo (no offence)..
But let's get to the HLPF thoughts
(HLP is used why, because it's the cheapest system for low grade ore, it really is and always was about the $$$). BTW there are 100's in use in the world (some running for decades) so why did Turkey and Yukon fail?
There are modular processing "systems" that can be brought ot bare rabpidly and no this is not a plug for SRS . It's just what they do, I don't care about the who just the what.
First the 3 VG crushers are still there so they need the gold processing part. OK
If I was VG mine managment I would be looking for technical solutions at this while cleanup and stabilization is occuring. Let JM and the BOD work with First Nations, YTG, EMR, creditors and so forth. It's their fudiciary duty...
My experience is with moslty with stationary buildouts but there are modular cotained systems that can be readily deployed.
https://www.sgs.com/-/media/sgscorp/documents/corporate/brochures/sgs-nr-gold-processing-en.cdn.en-PE.pdf Of course this will all come down to if anyone WANTS this mine to operate. There not many operational mines in the Yukon and just cleaning up and saying it's wrap will have to deal with the economic loss.
Can the Yukon withstand this type of econominc downturn? Maybe but a percentage of ppl may leave, they end up in BC ;) it's all happened before. Porter Creek and Riverdale may look like ghost towns, oh well the tourists can pour over the mine ruins and add to the "The Larger than Life" long story of the Silver Trail. If you want to see it in style take that nice mercedes benz sprinter 4x4 motor home and enjoy a great travel expereince of wide open spaces (the Dempster is amazing) :)
Best