The First Nation of Nacho Nyäk Dun has stated that it has no stance regarding the potential transfer of Victoria Gold Corporation’s dormant Eagle gold mine to Boroo Pte. Ltd., a mining company based in Singapore. Despite this, the First Nation has raised concerns about the procedure that led to Boroo being granted the exclusive right to pursue the acquisition of the Eagle Gold Mine.
In a news release on Tuesday, the First Nation criticized the Yukon government’s approval of the exclusivity agreement between Boroo and the mine’s receiver, emphasizing the government’s focus on resolving the past issues rather than addressing the root causes. The closure of the Eagle mine in 2024 due to a significant failure of a heap leach pad, which resulted in the contamination of local waterways, has been managed by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the appointed receiver.
The Yukon government provided a $220 million loan to PwC for the cleanup process and is keen on recouping its investment. The First Nation emphasized that while they do not oppose or support the sale of the mine to Boroo or any other bidder, they insist that all decisions regarding the current and future management of the site must be made in close collaboration with their nation and citizens.
The First Nation declined to give interviews on Tuesday and highlighted their dissatisfaction with the current management of the Eagle site, mentioning that the Yukon government has been slow in implementing necessary changes to the mining industry in the territory. In a separate legal action, the First Nation is suing both the Yukon and federal governments for permitting mining projects on their traditional lands without a finalized land use plan.
A spokesperson for the Yukon government, Tim Kucharuk, emphasized that any agreement must have the endorsement of the First Nation. He stated that the exclusivity period allows the purchaser and the First Nation to consider the latter’s viewpoint on the proposed transaction and restart plan. Kucharuk added that the sales process aims to ensure that the buyer is responsible, experienced, well-resourced, and not limited by nationality, with a focus on safeguarding the interests of Yukon residents, workers, and the environment.
