Guy Quenneville
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 21, 2008
FORT FRANKLIN - The Deline Land Corp. will oppose all future uranium development in its district until outstanding issues having to do with the old Port Radium mine are resolved, the organization announced recently.
The move stems from dissatisfaction among Deline community members, who are waiting for issues to be resolved between Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and the land corporation before granting further access to land, according to Danny Geudet, the chief negotiator for the corporation.
The outstanding issues stem from 26 recommendations made to the federal government in 2005 concerning the long-term social and health effects of the long-defunct Eldorado Mine at Port Radium, which operated as a radium and uranium mine from 1931 to 1960 and as a silver mine from 1964 to 1982.
Several Deline residents who worked as ore carriers died of cancer, according to the land corporation.
"There's still 17 other items that have not been addressed, dealing with health and social issues," said Geudet.
The corporation is currently in talks with INAC, added Geudet.
"We're taking action now," he said. "Government has called and said they want to sit down at the table again with Deline."
Deline community members are concerned about further development by Alberta Star, a Vancouver-based exploration company looking for base and precious metals, as well as uranium, in Port Radium.
Alberta Star has worked out a permit to explore Port Radium, but not the surrounding area, which it is also interested in, and that's a problem, says Geudet.
"The community has nothing against Alberta Star, or any company," said Geudet. "All it's saying is that there's a whole series of issues that are not addressed out of the recommendations.
"In order for the community to go forward, we need to address those issues. Then we can work towards developing more."
Tim Coupland, president of Alberta Star, said the company has done approximately $18 million worth of drilling in Port Radium, and that it is also interested in exploring nearby areas.
"We've applied for a permit (elsewhere), but (the corporation's announcement) does not affect our operation in any way, shape or form," said Coupland.
"Uranium is an aside. If we get some, it's a bonus. But our primary focus is on base and precious metals."
Coupland said there are other companies looking for uranium that could be affected by the Deline Land Corporation's decision, such as Solitaire Minerals Corporation, also of Vancouver, which has a 21,000-acre property adjoining Alberta Star's.
"They don't have a permit," said Coupland. "It's going to have a serious impact on their ability to conduct business up there."
Mike Vaydik, general manager of the NWT Chamber of Mines, said while he understands the Deline Land Corp.'s decision, the effect on the mining industry will be negative.
"It's a concern, because if we can't explore, we can't develop the next mine," Vaydik said.
"Everybody's fat and happy right now because the diamond mines are producing jobs and business opportunities. But the mines have a limited life. In fact, the end of Ekati is in sight. And if we don't allow exploration, we're not going to have the jobs to replace those."
