Recent mining developments
In the past months, mining activity in the South Nahanni Watershed has accelerated:- In April, 2007 a permit was issued to Canadian Zinc Corporation to re-construct the long-opposed winter road to the Prairie Creek mine. This road will cross the limestone formations of the Nahanni karstlands - a sensitive and globally significant area identified for inclusion in the Nahanni park expansion;
- In April, 2007 Selwyn Resources (formerly Pacifica Resources) applied for a permit to conduct exploratory drilling at Howard's Pass in the Nahanni Headwaters area. This proposal is currently in the environmental assessment process. The company is also in the final permitting stages to re-construct an all season road to the exploration site, which was grandfathered and not subject to environmental assessment;
- In May, 2007 yet another junior mining company -- War Eagle -- applied for a permit to conduct exploration drilling in the Nahanni Watershed near the Yukon border; and
- In June, 2007 Canadian Zinc Corporation applied for permission to re-construct the section of road closest to the mine site to all season standards, admitting that the road they had originally said was in good condition, had eroded so badly that it was now needing upgrades and a new permit. They propose to quarry 6,200 cubic metres of rock and place it right in various creek beds to re-build the road. Some of these creeks are known or suspected habitat for bull trout - a species very sensitive to disturbance, particularly sediment in streams.
- Additionally, despite significant public concern, a proposed drilling program on the Rifle Range Creek ice field near the Cantung mine was not referred to environmental assessment, and is continuing through the permitting process. As of April 2007, this project has been delayed pending further consultation.
- The combined impact of all these mining exploration proposals within the South Nahanni watershed, if allowed to proceed, will have a significant impact on the future health of the Nahanni ecosystems.
