The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (FNNND) is demanding the Yukon government call a public inquiry into a massive landslide at a gold mine on its territory.
In a letter released by the community on Tuesday, FNNND says it is “writing once again to further our governments’ efforts to develop effective parameters for an investigation into the Eagle Gold heap leach collapse.”
The community has been lobbying for a public investigation since July.
The controversy is over the handling of the June 24 landslide at the Eagle Mine Gold site in central Yukon that allowed millions of tonnes of ore and chemicals to leak into local streams.
“The catalyst for much of this is, of course, the 4 million tonnes of ore material that fell down a mountainside and millions of litres of cyanide solution entering our watersheds,” wrote McGarry Selbee, executive director of FNNND.
“We can learn from this moment, but a deep and honest reckoning is necessary for proponents, for public government, for Indigenous peoples, and for all Yukoners.”
The mine used a process called heap leaching where ore containing gold would be loaded into a lined pit. The ore was then sprayed with chemicals, including cyanide, to separate the gold from the rock. When the landslide occurred, it breached the holding pit.
According to three letters between the community and John Streicker, minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, and his deputies, the government is only offering an Independent Review Board that will “erase FNNND’s role with respect to the Independent Review Board’s (“IRB”) work entirely.”
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The community said it wants to “co-manage” the review and is proposing FNNND and the government “each appoint two members to serve as advisors.”
FNNND alleged the Eagle Gold mine was a “steady regulatory blight from its inception to its collapse.
“It is clear that the heap leach landslide on June 24 was merely the culmination of a years-long process of failed assessment, monitoring, and enforcement,” it claimed in its letter. “Indeed, geotechnical issues relating to the heap leach facility were identified almost as soon as sections were completed.”
According to the letters, the government says establishing a public inquiry will delay the start of an investigation. But FNNND suggested the investigation could start with the review board and be “converted” to a public inquiry.
“FNNND acknowledges YG’s unwillingness to commit to a public inquiry at this time, and so FNNND seeks a commitment that YG will expend best efforts to initiate a public inquiry into the systemic causes of the Eagle Gold collapse within the next three months,” the letter added.“We have been more than reasonable in compromising on this point but require YG’s acknowledgement of our concerns and the systemic nature of this issue.
“The public needs—and deserves—true transparency and accountability with respect to the role that all parties including government may have played in this environmental disaster.”
A statement from the territorial government didn’t address the FNNND’s concerns about the lack of a public inquiry. It said experts are being employed to assist the review board with the investigation.
“Nearly six weeks ago, the Government of Yukon sent draft Terms of Reference to the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun (FNNND),” said the email from Laura Seeley, senior communications advisor for the government. “Since then, alongside FNNND, we have worked closely to move this forward with urgency, and to define the involvement of all parties.
“The FNNND has reviewed draft Terms of Reference and has an open invitation to join the Independent Review Board process at any time.”
The email added that “The Independent Review Board will investigate all contributing factors and submit a final report by March 31, 2025, which will be made public after government reviews it.
“The Board is now close to being formally announced and beginning their important and urgent work.”
The company that owned the mine, Victoria Gold Corp., has been placed in receivership, its president and CEO fired and board relieved of its duties.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Aug. 30 with a statement from the territorial government.
