Order halts [mineral exploration] drilling [on traditional FN territory] – by Kate McLaren (The Daily Press – April 30, 2011)

The Daily Press is the newspaper of record for the city of Timmins.

First Nation gets court injunction

The community of Constance Lake First Nation (CLFN) has obtained an injunction to stop a mineral exploration company from drilling on traditional territory. The order was imposed Friday in the Ontario Superior Court in Toronto.

“This is a victory for us,” CLFN Chief Arthur Moore told The Daily Press Friday afternoon. “We’re very happy to have this time in the interim to go back to the negotiating table.”

The injunction was filed against Zenyetta Centures Ltd., a company in association to Cliffs Resources. Cliff Resources is involved in the Ring of Fire mineral discovery. The company has been prohibited from drilling until May 9 and have been ordered back to negotiations with the First Nations community.

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OMA member Vale makes lasting conservation commitment

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

 

Community leaders, environmentalists, painters and award-winning folk singers all applauded the announcement by Ontario Mining Association member Vale to surrender portions of its aggregate license near Willisville, located south of Espanola.  The subsequent result is that historic Willisville Mountain will be untouched by the company’s future operations in the area.

“Willisville Mountain is an area rich in beauty and even richer in history,” said Jon Treen, General Manager of Vale’s Ontario Operations.  “It is an iconic landmark that should remain undisturbed and Vale is committed to the ongoing stewardship of the area.”

Vale and predecessor company Inco have operated a quarry in the area since the middle of the past century, which supplies silica to the nickel producer’s smelting operations in nearby Sudbury.  “On behalf of the residents of Willisville, the LaCloche Mountains Preservation Society and their many supporters, I applaud Vale on their leadership and resolve to save the pristine wilderness,” said Jon Butler, President of the La Cloche Mountain Preservation Society and Willisville resident.

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