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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Northern Frontier Visitors Centre was packed Tuesday night for a public meeting about oversight for the Giant Mine reclamation project.

A public meeting about oversight for the remediation of Giant Mine was held Tuesday night at the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre. - Kevin Allerston/NNSL photo

Approximately 35 people were at the event, which was organized by Alternatives North to share what was being discussed during workshops on the issue held Tuesday, which continued Wednesday, at the Champagne Room on Franklin Avenue.

"I was very pleased with the turnout," said Kevin O'Reilly, a spokesperson with Alternatives North. "I think it's a good indication of the interest in the issue."

The cleanup efforts are being overseen by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, the same department that manages the remediation project.

During the meeting, two case studies for what oversight might look like were presented.

Laura Johnston, director of the Independent Environmental Monitoring Agency (IEMA) that monitors the Ekati Diamond Mine gave a presentation on what they do with Ekati and how something similar could work with Giant Mine. In their case, the agency receives funding from BHP Billiton, but Johnston said that doesn't stop them from being able to independently make recommendations for the best ways to protect the environment around the mine.

Representatives with the Montana-based Stillwater Good Neighbor Agreement Oversight Committee also gave presentations. In their case, they can set legally binding, measurable goals for the Stillwater Mining Company.

"I'm hoping that they will set up an environmental board that will keep the public informed and that can make recommendations saying 'this has to be done at this time, and this stuff requires immediate action,'" said lifelong Yellowknifer Fred Lemouel.

"I think what we really need here is an agreement that lays out clearly what the roles and responsibilities are and who's watching over who, and I think we heard the public say that they would like that kind of agreement for Giant Mine," said O'Reilly.

The meeting also included a question and answer session, which many used as an opportunity to vent their frustration over the current status of the remediation efforts.

"There's a lot of wasted money out there and nothing's getting done," said Steve Christenson. "There's a lot of wasted money with the freezing. That's something they're going to be spending money on for years."

Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro, who attended the meeting, said she agreed with sentiments raised by many in the audience that a better job has to be done of communicating what is happening with the mine.

"I've felt for quite a long time now that they haven't done a decent job of reaching out to the community," said Bisaro referring to Aboriginal Affairs "I really feel if we can get more information about what's happening, people will feel more comfortable."

The clean-up plan for Giant Mine is undergoing an environmental assessment by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board. A technical report is expected March 16.

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