The Yukon government has extended the staking ban in the Ross River area for two months, until June 30.
The ban was originally scheduled to finish at the end of April.
It was put in place in response to a Yukon Court of Appeal decision from December 2012 surrounding the government’s duty to consult with the First Nation on staking and low-level exploration activities.
“We are extending the interim prohibition of staking to complete our work,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said in a statement.
“A two-month extension to the withdrawal gives the First Nation time to complete community consultations and deliver their findings.”
The ban only applies to new claims under the Quartz Mining Act and the Placer Mining Act.
Some changes to those two pieces of law have already been put in place.
The government now has the authority to designate areas of the Yukon where a notification for the low level, Class 1, work is required.
Currently, only the Ross River area and parts of the Peel watershed have been given that designation.
After the notice is given, the new regulations say the government has 25 days to consult with the First Nation.
Pasloski said the rest of the court-ordered work should be done by the time this extension expires.
“This withdrawal shows that we are meeting our obligations under the Yukon Court of Appeal decision from December 2012, and are committed to engaging in meaningful consultation with the Ross River Dena Council.”
(Ashley Joannou)