An Indian band in northwestern Ontario recently put a halt, temporarily at least, to drilling by operator Eldor Resources on property at Windigo River.
According to Staff Sgt. Reg Weeks of the OPP detachment at Sioux Lookout, a group from the Muskrat Dam reserve, located about 6 km from the mining property which is believed to be on Crown land, arrived at the site Sept 14 and asked the drill crew to leave. The Indians talked with a geologist, who organized a dismantling of the one drill rig in use.
“It was quite peaceful,” the officer said. Police arrived on the scene later in the day but Staff Sgt. Weeks said “there was really no need for us to go to the site.”
The Indian band is concerned the drilling may damage sturgeon spawning grounds. Also, because the drilling sites are within traditional hunting, fishing and trapping territories, the band feels its consent should be sought before any work takes place. The Muskrat Dam reserve is located 370 km northeast of Sioux Lookout.
Eldor, the exploration arm of federal Crown corporation Eldorado Nuclear, is involved in a joint venture at the property with Oxford Gold, a private mining company which is financing the current exploration program, and Canadian Occidental (TSE).
In a press release, Nishnawbe- Aski nation, a political organization representing 45 Cree and Ojibwa bands of Treaties 9 and 5 in northern Ontario, and the Muskrat Dam band say they will insist upon settlement negotiations if Eldor has long-term plans for the property.
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