SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Dangerous drivers on the old Crestaurum mine site road by Vee Lake are causing havoc for TerraX Minerals.
Workers Brent McAllister and Duncan Studd stand in front of one of the TerraX drill operations. The road they use has been frequented by dangerous drivers recently. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo |
The company is running a winter drilling program in the area for gold and has seen positive results, but "yahoos" in sports cars are taking a toll workers' safety.
"You can see they're hitting snow banks," said David Connelly, a consultant who does work for TerraX.
"Now we've had incidents where they've come very close to hitting recreational users and just a couple of weeks ago they came within inches of hitting one of our vehicles."
And that was after the work vehicle had already stopped the drivers and warned them not to speed on the road.
"They came whipping around the corner at speeds that were hugely in excess of what they should be and but for the great driving of our staff, who was able to pull off into the snow, it would have been a very unfortunate ending," said Connelly.
TerraX Minerals has invested part of its budget in managing seven kilometres of the road, which is publicly accessible and frequented by snowmobilers, skiers and other recreational users.
The Department of Transportation does not manage the road.
TerraX has put up new safety signs and is concerned it will have to involve the RCMP if the dangerous driving continues.
"(That) is not something we want to do but if people are going to continue to be irresponsible yahoos, we have to become more proactive in policing the road," said Connelly.
TerraX wants the road to be used by both industry and recreational users in harmony, but that vision might not continue.
"Our message is please, please, please - we've had hundreds of engagements with responsible users to try to ensure that the recreational users, harvesters and the exploration industry can all jointly use the roads and trails for everyone's purpose and enjoyment, and we've got a few yahoos who are risking ruining it for everyone," said Connelly.
