Kudz Ze Kayah mine

Last updated
Kudz Ze Kayah mine
Location
Yukon
Country Canada
Production
Products Zinc, Copper, Lead

The Kudz Ze Kayah mine is a mining project proposed by BMC Minerals Ltd., located within the Kaska traditional territory in the Finlayson District in Southeast Yukon, Canada. [1] The project expects to produce an average of 240,000 tonnes of zinc, copper and lead annually through open-pit and underground activity, and will be in operation for a minimum of 10 years. [2] On June 14, 2022, the Kaska Nation submitted issues and concerns regarding the project proposal. On June 15, 2022, the project was given final approval by the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon. [3]

The proposed Kudz Ze Kaya mine is located within Kaska territory and is named after a sacred Kaska area, kudz ze kayah, meaning "caribou country." [2] This region is an area of cultural significance, serving as a core migratory ground for the Finlayson caribou herd and habitat for other plants and animals that Kaska have relied on for generations. [2] Additionally, it encompasses burial grounds, traditional travel and trade route, which are important to Kaska heritage. [2] The opposition by Kaska Nation concerns how this project development would disrupt these ecological and cultural landscapes, and threaten the Finlayson caribou which are listed as "special concern" under the Species at Risk Act. [3]

In July 2022, the Ross River Dena Council (RRDC) filed a judicial review of the June 2022 decision document, arguing that the consultation process was inadequate and that their concerns regarding the project proposal were neither respected nor properly considered. [4]

In December 2023, the Yukon appeal court ruled in favour of the Kaska Nation, quashing the new approval for the project and ordering that consultation take place on Kudz Ze Kayah's economic feasibility. [5]

References

  1. ↑ Lancaster-Homes, Nicole (2023-10-09). "9th October 2023 – Kudz Ze Kayah Project ABM Mine Economic Review Confirms Robust Project Economics". BMC Minerals. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Hong, Jackie (Apr 13, 2023). "Canada, Yukon chose 'quantity over quality' when consulting Kaska on mine project, court hears". CBC News. Retrieved 2025-02-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. 1 2 Gignac, Julien (June 16, 2022). "Yukon's Kudz Ze Kayah mining project gets go-ahead from governments". CBC News . Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  4. ↑ "First Nation 'encouraged' by Yukon court ruling on mine project consultations". Eye on the Arctic. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  5. ↑ Hong, Jackie (Dec 8, 2024). "Yukon appeal court orders more consultation on Kudz Ze Kayah mine project". CBC News. Retrieved 2025-02-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

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