Latest news with #NaChoNyakDun
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Receiver planning sale of Yukon gold mine involved in contaminant release disaster
Victoria Gold's Eagle gold mine site north of Mayo, Y.T., is shown in this handout aerial photo taken Wednesday, July 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO — Yukon Government The court-appointed receiver of a Yukon gold mine that suffered a catastrophic heap-leach facility failure last year said it plans to sell the mine and will be seeking approval within the week to start the process. In its fifth receiver's report issued earlier this month, PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. said it will seek court approval for a sale process for the Eagle Gold Mine near Mayo, Yukon, in a motion scheduled to be heard Wednesday in an Ontario court. Eagle Gold Mine was the site last June where a containment failure at the heap-leach facility released about two-million tonnes of cyanide-laced ore and water into the environment. 'The Yukon Government in its capacity as receivership lender …, the lending syndicate and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun were consulted in the development of the Eagle Mine sale process, and each provided feedback to the Receiver,' PricewaterhouseCoopers said in its latest report summary, adding each submission was 'carefully considered' in finalizing the proposed sale process. 'The Receivership Lender (the Yukon government) has confirmed that it is satisfied with the form and substance of the proposed Eagle Mine sale process and supports the approval of the sale process at this time.' In an email, the territory's government confirmed the receiver is planning to begin a sale process by July for the Eagle Gold Mine, if it were to be approved by the court. But the territory also said it is 'premature to say what the process will look like,' stating that it will likely be 'robust, transparent and fair' since it is subject to court supervision. 'The Government of Yukon is a key stakeholder as the main mining regulator and lender to the Receiver, and it will ensure that the interests of Yukoners are protected and communicated to the Receiver,' the government's statement said. 'Right now, the focus of the government and the Receiver is to address environmental remediation and site safety.' The Yukon government said earlier this month that the work is continuing at the mine site to manage additional water from the spring snowmelt, while water contaminated from the failure is being treated and discharged. PricewaterhouseCoopers was made receiver of the mine last year by an Ontario court through an application by the Yukon government. The proposed sale process timeline listed in the latest receiver's report said the plan is for an initial bid deadline of Aug. 6, with the deadline for selecting qualified bids on Aug. 20. The process would then move to its second phase, where due diligence on qualified bidders would be completed by Oct. 15, with a selection of the successful bid for the mine on Nov. 5 and closing on Dec. 31, pending court approval. The Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nation did not respond to requests for comment on the proposed sale process of the Eagle Mine, which is located on the nation's traditional territory. The development with the Eagle Mine comes days after another nearby Yukon mine site was sold to the Selkirk First Nation. In a statement, the nation — located about 120 kilometres south of Mayo and 280 kilometres north of Whitehorse — said it completed the acquisition of the former Minto Mine site located on its traditional territory on June 18. Chief Sharon Nelson said of the purchase that the act is 'self-determination in action' and allows the nation to 'move forward deliberately and on our own terms' with the mine's future. 'Going forward, we will be guided by our responsibilities to protect the land, promote economic self-reliance, and ensure that any opportunities will benefit our people and our community,' Nelson said in her statement. The Selkirk First Nation said it plans to conduct feasibility studies on the site to determine long-term options, and it is possible that the mine could 'develop into an economic stimulant' for both the community and Yukon. The nation also said mine ownership paves the way for the Indigenous community to operate it 'in ways that reflect First Nation values and priorities.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 22, 2025. Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Receiver moves to put Yukon's Eagle mine up for sale
Victoria Gold's receiver wants to put the Eagle mine in Yukon up for sale. In a new filing in Ontario's Superior Court of Justice, PricewaterhouseCoopers states the proposal is based on three "milestones." The territory forced Victoria Gold into receivership in a bid to thwart further environmental effects after part of the mine catastrophically failed almost exactly a year ago, with large amounts of cyanide solution and heavy metals seeping into the environment. The receiver has overseen work by contractors to stabilize the mine. Now, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) states things have improved at the site, with emergency work expected to be completed by September 30. As well, the heap pond will soon be drained. The receiver also states the Independent Review Board has completed its investigation, which will be publicly available at the end of the month. The Yukon government tasked the group with providing expert opinions and advice on mine waste management at the site. The Yukon government has not launched a public inquiry into the slide. The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun has called for one, repeatedly. Finally, PricewaterhouseCoopers states hosting a sale is a requirement of a credit agreement. The receiver said the Yukon government, Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and PwC's financial advisor were consulted on sale plans, with each providing feedback, which was "carefully considered." On June 30, there will be a court hearing, where the receiver will present its case for making a sale. A Yukon cabinet spokesperson said it's still early in the process. "But because the court is overseeing it, we're confident it'll be solid, transparent, and fair," Laura Seeley said in an email to CBC News. The receiver wants to close on the sale by the end of December.
CBC
08-05-2025
- CBC
Leaders in Mayo, Yukon, urge people to come forward to help solve 2023 double homicide
Social Sharing More than two years after a double homicide in Mayo, Yukon, police have made no arrests in the case — and that's left residents feeling unsafe in their own community, according to some local leaders. Benjamin Symington and Michael Bennett were both fatally shot in March 2023, at the C-6 subdivision in Mayo. "People are still not feeling quite safe," said Chief Dawna Hope of the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyӓk Dun. "Every time we have a gathering we're continuously asked to install cameras, and more procedures — so that we can offer more avenues, or resources for people to contact when they are concerned about activities going on that they're witnessing." Hope said that since the shootings, the First Nation has installed cameras around the C-6 subdivision, and is currently looking at installing them in other areas around the community. She said it's given some people a small sense of security but it still doesn't address the larger issue remaining for citizens. "Still knowing that there is a murderer out there, or a double murderer out there, they're very concerned," Hope told CBC News. "And [they] still talk about that. They still feel unsafe until that person's found and we get to the bottom of what happened." Hope said she understands that people may be hesitant or scared to share any information they might have about the shootings, as Mayo is a very small community. But she said doing so would take the power away from people causing harm, and put it back into the hands of the community. "Please find somebody who you feel comfortable talking to, and you can provide any information that you may have heard of or have concerns about," Hope said. "You can do that in an anonymous way. All we're trying to do is feel safe in our community again." Mayo's Mayor Trevor Ellis said he feels powerless when community members ask why an arrest hasn't been made yet, after so much time has passed. Ellis said all he can say is that he trusts RCMP are doing everything they can with the evidence they have. Like Hope, he's urging anyone with information to go to police. "I mean, if you're scared of testifying, go to the RCMP and have a discussion with them. To remain silent is to just prolong the situation," Ellis said. RCMP look for leads on 'vehicle of interest' On April 22, Yukon RCMP issued a news release saying police were still investigating the homicide deaths of Symington and Bennett. They also called for people to come forward with any additional information that could help move the investigation along. "We believe there are still individuals with information" said Cpl. John Gillis of the Yukon Major Crimes Unit, in a statement. "We know there are individuals who have not been forthcoming with information, and others who are choosing not to co-operate with police. We are appealing to these people to come forward and speak with police to help provide answers and justice for the family and friends of Ben and Michael." The release also says RCMP are looking for any leads about a "vehicle of interest," describing it as a "large truck with a lightbar ... believed to have been in the area of the murders on March 11, 2023." "If anyone knows anything about this vehicle and any possible link to the investigation, police ask for them to come forward," the release says.
CBC
08-05-2025
- CBC
Local leaders in Mayo, Yukon, urge people to come forward to help solve 2023 double homicide
Social Sharing More than two years after a double homicide in Mayo, Yukon, police have made no arrests in the case — and that's left residents feeling unsafe in their own community, according to some local leaders. Benjamin Symington and Michael Bennett were both fatally shot in March 2023, at the C-6 subdivision in Mayo. "People are still not feeling quite safe," said Chief Dawna Hope of the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun. "Every time we have a gathering we're continuously asked to install cameras, and more procedures — so that we can offer more avenues, or resources for people to contact when they are concerned about activities going on that they're witnessing." Hope said that since the shootings, the First Nation has installed cameras around the C-6 subdivision, and is currently looking at installing them in other areas around the community. She said it's given some people a small sense of security but it still doesn't address the larger issue remaining for citizens. "Still knowing that there is a murderer out there, or a double murderer out there, they're very concerned," Hope told CBC News. "And [they] still talk about that. They still feel unsafe until that person's found and we get to the bottom of what happened." Hope said she understands that people may be hesitant or scared to share any information they might have about the shootings, as Mayo is a very small community. But she said doing so would take the power away from people causing harm, and put it back into the hands of the community. "Please find somebody who you feel comfortable talking to, and you can provide any information that you may have heard of or have concerns about," Hope said. "You can do that in an anonymous way. All we're trying to do is feel safe in our community again." Mayo's Mayor Trevor Ellis said he feels powerless when community members ask why an arrest hasn't been made yet, after so much time has passed. Ellis said all he can say is that he trusts RCMP are doing everything they can with the evidence they have. Like Hope, he's urging anyone with information to go to police. "I mean, if you're scared of testifying, go to the RCMP and have a discussion with them. To remain silent is to just prolong the situation," Ellis said. RCMP look for leads on 'vehicle of interest' On April 22, Yukon RCMP issued a news release saying police were still investigating the homicide deaths of Symington and Bennett. They also called for people to come forward with any additional information that could help move the investigation along. "We believe there are still individuals with information" said Cpl. John Gillis of the Yukon Major Crimes Unit, in a statement. "We know there are individuals who have not been forthcoming with information, and others who are choosing not to co-operate with police. We are appealing to these people to come forward and speak with police to help provide answers and justice for the family and friends of Ben and Michael." The release also says RCMP are looking for any leads about a "vehicle of interest," describing it as a "large truck with a lightbar ... believed to have been in the area of the murders on March 11, 2023." "If anyone knows anything about this vehicle and any possible link to the investigation, police ask for them to come forward," the release says.
