Dawson City mine's water licence application delayed

The Yukon Water Board says it needs more information before it can consider whether to grant a water licence to a proposed placer gold mine in Dawson City.

Placer miner Darrell Carey needs the water licence to operate his Slinky mine, which is located within Dawson City's municipal boundaries, in the Dome Road area.

But the mine is at a standstill this month while Carey awaits the Yukon Water Board's decision.

Water board manager Carola Scheu told CBC News that Carey has been asked to provide more mapping information, detailed mining plans and information about groundwater in the area.

"Our licensing officer contacted the applicant and we're getting more information during this month," Scheu said Tuesday.

"It will go back to the board for a decision next month."

Residents call for hearing

Carey has plans to reroute Dome Road in order to mine the ground under it. However, his plans have met resistance from residents like Glenda Bolt, who lives near the mine site.

"A mining operation in an area that's zoned for country residential [lots] does not work," said Bolt, who said the Yukon government should rewrite its mining legislation.

Bolt said she and other Dome Road residents hope the Yukon Water Board will call for a public hearing on the issue.

"Many, many people in the community want to see a public hearing and have requested for it," she said.

Carey's project also faces another potential hurdle: municipal officials in Dawson City have threatened to file a court injunction to halt work on the Slinky site.

But several weeks after the town threatened the court action, the paperwork has yet to be filed in court.