Sepro Mineral Systems says 'bickering' clouds Yukon opportunities

The sixth annual Yukon First Nations Resource Conference brings together First Nations and mining companies to talk about successes and opportunities, but some delegates at the conference see clouds on the horizon.

"I see some very, very encouraging signs and I also see some extreme negativitywith the bureaucracy in placeand some of the regulation and some of the bickering, says SteveMcAlister, director ofSeproMineral Systems Corp, a company that provides equipment to the mining industry.

Seprodoes business around the worldincluding projects in Africa, South America and Russia and McAlister says Yukon First Nations and governments should realize theyre competing for investment on a global scale.

"Mining companies can go anywhere in the world, and they're going to go where the risk is least and the projects are most lucrative, he says.

McAlistersays ongoing court battles between First Nations and governments, such as the legal battle over land planning in the enormous Peel watershed and threatened legal action over Bill S-6 make the mining industry uneasy.

He says companies need certainty when theyre considering investing, and says he, personally,isfeeling ambivalent about spending his companys money here.

His advice for all governments?

"Make sure you have your act together because the Yukon isn't the only game in town."

McAlisteradds companies do not like surprises such as court cases.