Whitehorse residents raise concerns about exploration project within city limits

Delegates spoke to mayor and council on April 7 about proposed exploration activities on 35-kilometres of land within city limits Delegates spoke to Whiteorse’s city council on April 7 about concerns regarding mineral exploration activities proposed to take place within the city’s municipal boundaries. Gladiator Metals, a B.C.-based exploration company, has recently submitted a proposal to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) to carry out mineral exploration activities on a strip of mining claims running north to south from near Crestview to near the Mary Lake Subdivision.  “Quite honestly, I’m not against mines and exploration. I know we need minerals, but can we do it right? Can we do it so that the environment and the people are considered first?” said Cowley Creek resident Glenys Baltimore. Baltimore spoke to the News on March 27 about the YESAB proposal, which is still under adequacy review by YESAB’s Whitehorse office since Feb. 17. Baltimore attended the standing committee in the city’s council chambers as a delegate to raise concerns about the potential environmental impacts that mineral exploration activities could have on Whitehorse residents, wildlife and its environment. The exploration project is expected to span 35 kilometres of the Copper Belt project in Whitehorse. Delegates Angela Sabo, Sybil Hackney and Baltimore raised concerns about water contamination from exploratory drilling near residential properties, fearing pollution to drinking water as homes located in subdivisions close to the project’s exploration sites rely on water wells. Several delegates also questioned the efficacy of the Yukon Quartz Mining Act, which some claimed dates back to the Gold Rush era. “They keep talking about stimulating the economy, but certainly there should be better controls, which is why we need a new mining act and Quartz Act,” Baltimore said. Tory Russell, a downtown Whitehorse resident, suggested to council that the city impose a moratorium on all mineral activities within city limits until the Yukon’s mineral legislation is modernized, arguing that companies should not be grandfathered into outdated practices. Delegate Jonas Smith, executive director of the Yukon Chamber of Mines, spoke in support of mining and exploration activities. He emphasized the economic potential and the importance of minerals like copper in facilitating the transition to sustainable technologies, arguing that mining is essential to move away from petroleum. Smith explained that the project’s goal is to assess the area’s mining potential. He noted that obtaining a mining license for extraction typically takes around 10 years. Additionally, he said that mining in the territory is further regulated through the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act established through the Umbrella Final Agreement. Several delegates at the city’s standing committee raised concerns to mayor and council about the potential impacts to recreational sites and trail networks located on the city’s western municipal boundary. “When we have a lot of activity going on, recreation areas will definitely be affected. Mount Sima, Mount McIntyre’s cross-country trails, the ones I’ve done year after year, those will all be impacted,” delegate Don Roberts told council. Residents of Cowley Creek and Mary Lake expressed concerns that the project might disturb the peace in an otherwise quiet region of the city. They noted that the exploration project could impact trails and generate noise and dust near their homes. “There’s a noise issue and they’re interfering with trails that we maintain back there for mostly skiing and cycling, but people take motorized vehicles back there as well and just the degradation of the land in general. I’m really concerned about water, because a lot of people have wells here,” Baltimore said to the News on March 27 when referring to previous exploration activities taking place in the area. Roberts, a Whitehorse resident since 1965, criticized open and free staking as no longer beneficial for the city’s residents. He highlighted the risks associated with climate change and pointed to a lack of comprehensive studies on bodies of water feeding into the main head of the Yukon River. According to Gladiator Metals’ YESAB proposal, proposed exploration activities involve diamond drilling on known mineralized zones, as well as geophysical surveys to identify drill sites. The company have also stated that activities will involve collecting environmental baseline data as a means to mitigate any risks to wildlife and the environment.Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com