Yellowknife (Dec 08/04) - The long, cold wait is over.

The folks waiting in line to register prospecting permits were let into the Bellanca Building on the morning of Dec. 1 to do their final paperwork.

"The permitting process should be tossed out," said prospector Trevor Teed.

Originally, the process was developed to promote prospecting in the harsh climate and sparse population of the North, said Teed.

But now, things have changed.

"Today, there's good communications, good transportation and the system no longer requires it," said Teed.

The present-day system also removes large tracts of land, eliminating a lot of opportunity for small prospectors who are actually out on the line staking the land, said Teed.

"The feds are into it because it's a cash cow for them," said Teed.

Malcolm Robb, acting director for mineral and Petroleum Resources Directorate with Indian and Northern Affairs, disagrees.

"They put down a deposit and if they do the work they get the money back," said Robb.

"So it's a work cow as opposed to a cash cow," Teed retorted.

Teed explained his frustration when he said that real prospectors working to stake the land can only hold it for two years prior to filing work on the land.

Prospecting permits, which are effective for five years North of 68, take up large tracts of land and freeze the little guy out, he said.

Regulations surrounding prospecting are currently being reconsidered and another draft document on revisions is expected some time after Christmas, Teed said.

No laws broken

Manager of municipal law enforcement Doug Gillard said no complaints were received concerning the people lining up for prospecting permits, and that, in his opinion, no municipal laws were broken.

Dave Grundy, manager of communications and information with Workers' Compensation Board, said there is nothing in the WCB Act that refers to cold weather and how to deal with this type of situation.