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Miners Will Need to Notify Tr'ondek Hwech'in of Class One Exploration

Wednesday, 28 February 2018 at 08:14

New mining rules require notification for any Class One on entire TH Traditional Territory.

Miners looking at conducting Class One mineral exploration activities within the entire traditional territory of the Tr’ondek Hwech’in First Nation of Dawson City, will soon have to notify the First Nation of their intended work.

As of April 1, miners will have a duty to consult the First Nation on any exploration which could include trail building, clearing trees, digging and using explosives.

The First Nation and the Yukon government agreed a year ago on mineral exploration consultation, effectively an extension of the 2012 Appeals Court decision in favour of the Ross River Dena Council. That ruling provided that the territorial government must consult Ross River, before any type of exploration work is performed.

Sue Thomas, a communications analyst with the department of Energy, Mines and Resources says the government is extending notification requirements to all Tr’ondek Hwech’in Traditional Territory. “In March, to resolve the outstanding court case, the Yukon Government agreed to implement Class One notification on all of the Traditional Territory of the Tr'ondek Hwech'in. In response to the Supreme Court consent order, on April 1, the Class One notification area will expand to include all the Tr'ondek Hwech'in Traditional Territory.”

EMR is trying to assist miners in the new process, by allowing them to apply online for a Class One permit, an upgrade from the old system of filing paper forms. “It is similar to the existing Class One notification that exists for numerous areas within the Yukon, but we are looking at implementing an online system. People will be able to go into the Mining Recorders Office and do the Class One notification paperwork online, rather than on a form. That [application] will be forwarded to the First Nation for their comment, as well as to our Mineral Resources Branch.”

Thomas stated. It is expected that miners can start to file for their Class One permits on April 1, for this mining season.

(Dan Jones Whitehorse Feb. 27, 2018)

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