Tr'ondk Hwch'in opposes Dome Road mining claims

The Tr'ondkHwch'in First Nation says a proposed placer mining operation along Dawson City's Dome Road conflicts with its owndevelopment rights in the area.

Darren Taylor, the First Nation's director of natural resources, has sent a letter to the Yukon Socio-Economic Assessment Board (YESAB), spelling out the First Nation'sobjections to the proposed mine.

Darrell Carey has applied to YESAB for a 10-year permit to operate a placer mining operationon 34 claims on the east side of the Dome.

Carey is already well known in Dawson for convincing the government to move the Dome Road to accommodate his Slinky Mineoperation.

Tr'ondkHwch'insays Carey's new proposal is unacceptable because the First Nation's final agreement gives it development rights over some of the same properties.

The First Nation is concerned that a mine would lower the economic potential of its own plans for the area.

The letter to YESAB also spells out "general apprehensions" about the project, saying the mine operationwould destroy local cross-country ski trails, and be too close to a residential area.

YESAB is accepting public comments on the proposed mining operation until Sep. 7.