Opinions clash at Yukon meeting over mining within city limits

There was blunt talk at a public meeting in Dawson City Thursday night where around 50 people came to talk about plans by Darrell Carey to expand his placer gold mining operation on the Dome Road.

The meeting was held by the Yukon Environmental Socio-Economic Assessment Board (YESAB) as part of Carey's application process.

The screening agency's Dawson City manager Bobby Milne stepped in to referee when tempers flared. 

"If you guys could just speak to that inner child in you and try and find find common peace," Milne pleaded.

Carey has applied to YESAB for a 10-year permit to operate a placer mining operation on 34 claims on the east side of the Dome Road. 

​He's already well known in Dawson City for convincing the government to move the Dome Road to accommodate his Slinky Mine operation.

At last night's meeting, people were asked their opinions on the values, effects and mitigation for the project. 

Many spoke about the impact mining would have on cross country ski trails, wildlife habitat and residents on the Dome Road.

Glenda Bolt, whose home is adjacent to claims Carey has already been mining, said it's just not a workable idea. She said Carey's existing operation has already decreased the number of birds, including eagles, she sees.

"I prefer green space to mined out space," Bolt said. "I still feel very strongly that mining within  a municipality is wrong."

Some people at the meeting suggested that Carey voluntarily surrender some of the claims.

That didn't sit well with engineer Randy Clarkson, who spoke on behalf of Carey. He compared it to people living near the Vancouver airport complaining about air traffic.

"Kind of like somebody building a house in the flyway in Richmond and getting  upset about jets coming over and this area had a pre-existing placer mine," Clarkson said.

The public has until Sept. 7  to comment on the proposal.