Mohawks oppose Quebec mining project

By Lynn Moore, Montreal Gazette June 9, 2010
 
MONTREAL- The Mohawk Council of Kanesatake restated its objections Wednesday to a controversial mining project on disputed territory near Oka Park.

And it has informed Quebec that it categorically rejects the Niocan Inc. project which seeks to mine niobium.

"Our position is clear. We will never allow our land to be used without our consent and in a way that is harmful to the environment," Grand Chief Sohenrise Paul Nicholas, said in a statement.

The formal objection comes as the provincial government is expected to rule on Niocan's request for a Certificate of Authorization from the Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs.

"The Council of Kanesatake wishes to remind those concerned that the entire Seigneury of Lake of Two-Mountains, including the area chosen for the mining project, is currently the subject of territorial dispute.

" Therefore, until an agreement has been reached, the governments should impose a moratorium on any development project that could have a negative impact on the rights of Mohawks," the statement said.

The project, which issued its first feasibility study in 2000, has generated widespread local opposition.

A coalition of environmentalists, residents and farmers are particularly alarmed by the enormous amount of groundwater the proposed mine will use and the cumulative impact of the mine's uranium-laced waste.

In March, Niocan, headed by Bernard Coulombe who is also president of asbestos producer Jeffrey Mine Inc., issued an update on its socio-economic impact study.

The project would create 160 direct jobs, 20 per cent of which would be reserved for Mohawks of Kanasetake, the company said.