Michelle DaCruz
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 08/02) - The first Northern Mines Ministers' Conference in Yellowknife was so successful it warrants another meeting to be held in the Yukon next year, says Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Robert Nault, co-chair of the meeting.

The conference gave ministers from the federal government, Nunavut, the NWT and the Yukon the chance to hear industry concerns and better co-ordinate their efforts to build and maintain Canada's mining reputation on the world stage, said Nault.

He also announced the completion of the mine reclamation policy in Nunavut and NWT.

"We have a legal obligation to clean up these mines. There are funding resources available for clean up," said Nault.

In particular to Nunavut, Nault said the Nunavut Water Act is in its final stages.

"This act is extremely important to the mining industry," he said.

In the area of aboriginal participation in mining, Nault said each government has challenged industry to train and hire more aboriginal people.

"We know that we still have a long way to go in this area," said Nault on the aboriginal issue.

He also remarked that while environmental groups did participate in the state-of-the-industry and industry-government overview committee, environmental interests will be invited to provide more substantial input next year in the Yukon.

"We need to hear all voices," he said.