As criticism of how the Yukon government has handled the Eagle Gold Mine disaster mounts, more effects are becoming evident across the territory. They stem from the major June 24 heap leach pad landslide.
On Tuesday, the Cantex Mine Development company paused its exploratory work at a site about 120 kilometres from the Eagle Gold Mine, which is 95 kilometres north of Mayo.
That follows a demand from the First Nation of Nacho Nyäk Dun for a moratorium on mining in its traditional territories following the problems at the Victoria Gold site.
As reported by the Stockhouse.com web site, the company said, “Cantex (TSXV:CD) has halted exploration at its North Rackla project in the Yukon after a massive spill of a cyanide solution at Victoria Gold’s nearby Eagle Mine late last month. The decision follows a request by the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, on whose traditional territory the projects reside, to temporarily pause all mining activity on its land.”
That’s the first such action known by a mining company in the Yukon.
Cantex management said it intends to continue its 2024 drilling program as soon as the request is lifted to expand copper mineralization encountered in the first three holes.
Meanwhile, the Yukon Conservation Society (YCS) has some strong words for the territorial government.
Spokesperson Kayla Brehon told The Yukon Star on Wednesday “we’d like to see YG take over and use all their resources in addressing this disaster. This means all hands on deck.
“Issues raised in the inspectors’ report such as installing additional groundwater monitoring wells, additional water storage facilities and water treatment must be acted upon quickly. Furthermore, YCS would like clarification as to what the future of the mine site may be,” Brehon said.
YCS is “concerned over the lack of movement on critical issues such as groundwater interceptions and lined water storage facilities. Moving quickly to reduce the impacts to the environment and people is crucial,” Brehon said.
“We call on the Yukon government to step in immediately to ensure further disaster is mitigated.”
A Yukon government news conference on the situation is scheduled for Thursday morning.
Victoria Gold Corp., which owns the site, has failed to return media inquiries since the disaster occurred.
