The staking ban in Ross River Dena Council territory has been extended to January 31, 2015.
A 2012 Yukon Court of Appeal decision found that the Yukon government violates the rights of the First Nation by allowing staking on its territory without consultation.
The Yukon government has said it will meet the court’s declaration by consulting the council on what areas of the territory, if any, should be excluded from mineral staking.
The deadline to meet the court’s declaration was December 2013.
But the First Nation and the Yukon government have yet to agreed on how to meet the legal obligations that flow from the appeal decision.
As a result staking continues to be banned in the entire Ross River area.
“The Yukon government continues to consult with the Ross River Dena Council on how to address this decision,” according to today’s news release. “The government is committed to completing the consultation and reaching a solution in time for the 2015 exploration season.”
Miners with claims in the area will be exempt from requirements to work their claims until the issue has been resolved.
(Jacqueline Ronson)