YESAB shelves placer gold project planned for Dawson City's Dome Road

Plans to expand aplacer gold mining operation near Dawson City'sDome Road have hit a snag.

The Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) has suspended its review of the plan because ofa legaldispute between Darrell Carey and Rod Adams, the owners of the claims.

Sebastian Jones ofthe Klondike Active Transport and Trails Societysaid the suspension is a relief, for now.

"It's kind of a strange occurrence," Jones said. "We don't know what [the YESAB decision] means. The project hasn't been withdrawn."

Many residents steadfastly opposethe plan,saying the proposed mine would destroy cross-country skiing trails and disturb a greenbelt corridor for wildlife on the Dome.

"Whenever you have a placer mining project, there are always going to be environmental impacts," Jones said.

Controversial from the start

Another mineproject by Careyis also on the Dome andhas also been controversial. The Slinky Mineis near a residential area on land that was zoned for new housing development. But the mineral claims predate the expansion of Dawson's municipal boundary to encompass the area.

Area residents were also angered by a deal between the Yukon government, the City of Dawson and Careyto re-route the Dome Road so Careycould access deposits located underneath the original roadway. That project cost the Yukon government $1.3 million.

Dawson City Mayor Wayne Potoroka acknowledges the Dome projects arecontentious.

"This really speaks to the lack of clarity around how to deal with these operations in a reasonable and respectful manner," he said.