News Release

Canadian United Minerals Seeks to Expand Controversial Exploration Program in Tombstone Park

March 20, 2001 – Whitehorse – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Yukon Chapter is again calling on the Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND), to fulfill his commitment to remove controversial mining claims from Tombstone Territorial Park. Canadian United Minerals Inc. has applied to expand its drilling program in Tombstone Territorial Park by five times – from an original 20, to 100 drill holes, over five years.

Last spring Minister Nault stated that mining exploration and development activities are inappropriate in parks and committed DIAND to keep industrial development out of Yukon protected areas. Now, one year later, Yukoners are faced with yet another application by Canadian United Minerals which, if approved, will increase the company’s environmental impact on the park. “Mining has no place in protected areas. Canadian miners made a commitment to this principle in the 1994 Whitehorse Mining Initiative. With this new application, Canadian United Minerals continues to challenge the public interest in protecting Tombstone Park,” said Juri Peepre, executive director of CPAWS-Yukon.

Canadian United Minerals has failed to honour commitments it made when the local DIAND Mining Land Use office approved work on its claims in Tombstone Park. For example, in its annual report the company failed to: submit results of annual tests for acid rock drainage from a reclaimed trench, account for drill hole cuttings known to contain arsenic and, submit a wildlife sighting log. The company also failed to notify the Tombstone Interpretative Centre prior to blasting in the park.

“Canadian United Minerals has shown that it will not or cannot honour its commitments. It now has the gall to go back to the local DIAND Mining Land Use office to ask for an expansion of its program. The company does not appear to take its responsibilities seriously. The application should be denied and permission to do further work under its existing permit should be suspended,” says Mac Hislop of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. Canadian United Minerals’ request to expand its activities in the park will affect the experience of visitors to the park by increasing helicopter noise, disturbing wildlife and increasing overall activity. Increased exploration activity will decrease the appeal of the park to Yukon visitors, commercial outfitters and tourists. This, in turn, could harm the local economy.

“All three levels of government – the federal, territorial and Tr’ondek Hwech’in First Nations governments – agree that mining doesn’t belong in Tombstone Park. It is up to federal Minister Robert Nault and Premier Pat Duncan to resolve the continuing crisis in Tombstone Park through a negotiated solution,” added Juri Peepre.

For more information, please contact:

Mac Hislop
Campaign Coordinator
Telephone: 867-393-8080 ext. 3