WHITEHORSE, YUKON (February 6, 2009) - A committee of senior officials from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Government of Yukon, Selkirk First Nation and Ross River Dena Council has reached a consensus on a closure plan for the Faro Mine Complex.
The consensus on the closure plan for the former lead-zinc mine in central Yukon was announced today by the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and the Honourable Brad Cathers, Yukon Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources.
"This plan will enable various levels of government to move forward together on the closure of the Faro Mine Complex," said Minister Strahl. "The department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will cooperate with the Yukon Government and affected First Nations to protect human health and the environment while maximizing socio-economic benefits for the people of Yukon."
"The Government of Yukon is pleased to continue working jointly with the Government of Canada, Selkirk First Nation, Ross River Dena Council, Liard First Nation, and the Town of Faro to ensure the effective management and remediation of the Faro Mine Complex," said Minister Cathers. "Clean-ups at contaminated sites like Faro will create positive legacies for both the environment and the local economy."
"It has been a long process and a lot of hard work and planning," said Chief Darin Isaac of the Selkirk First Nation. "It's time for action and implementation. We want to be involved in decision-making, planning, and design in the care and protection of the land at the Faro Mine Site. It's important to move forward with the closure plan and implementation and start right now with training and job opportunities for First Nations and Yukoners."
"By working in partnership with all levels of government, we have been able to see significant accomplishments throughout the closure planning process," said Chief Gordon Peter of the Ross River Dena Council. "We have come a long way since this process started and will continue to work together as we move forward toward implementation of the closure plan."
Implementation of the closure plan will begin once the regulatory, environmental and socio-economic assessments are completed and the project receives final approval. This process could take between two and three years.
Faro was an open-pit lead-zinc mine that closed in 1998. The Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon are taking a collaborative approach to the management of the Faro project, including planning for final closure and remediation. Funding for the remediation and closure of the Faro Mine Complex is provided by the Government of Canada.
Backgrounder - Closure Plan for the Faro Mine
For more information, please contact:
Faro Project
Erin Macpherson
Communications- Faro Project Management Team
867-456-6772 or 867-667-3360erin.macpherson@inac.gc.cawww.faromine.ca
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160
