The Government of Yukon has applied for a judicial review of the assessment of the Michelle Creek mineral exploration project. This is the first mineral exploration project to be assessed in the area covered by the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan since the plan was approved. The Yukon government has identified a number of significant concerns in the evaluation report that impact the government's ability to reach an informed conclusion about the next course of action for this project.
Under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act, the Yukon government decides whether to accept, reject or vary the evaluation report recommendations for this project. The law doesn’t allow the government to refer the evaluation report back to the designated office for reconsideration. The only way to have the evaluation report reconsidered is through a judicial review.
The Government of Yukon is asking the court to send the evaluation report back to the designated office for reconsideration in order to ensure the project is properly assessed.
The Yukon government is seeking a judicial review to ensure we have a full and complete assessment from which we can make a well-informed decision on the project. Our government is committed to implementing the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan and advancing work on other regional land use planning. This work honours the final agreements of Yukon First Nations, helps reduce land-use conflicts and provides more certainty for industry.
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources John Streicker
Silver47 Exploration Corp. is proposing to explore for minerals such as silver, lead and zinc at the Michelle Creek property. The project is located approximately 120 km northeast of Dawson City and approximately 20 km from Tombstone Territorial Park. The site is accessible by helicopter only.
The project is located in the Traditional Territories of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun. It straddles landscape management units that are designated for both conservation and development.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
John Thompson
Energy, Mines and Resources
867-332-6042
john.thompson@yukon.ca