Mining company vague on plans despite protests

The main investor in God's Lake Resources won't say when the company plans to start drilling for gold on a First Nations burial ground.

In Toronto Tuesday afternoon, the company was the subject of a protest by Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation, which wants to stop the mining activity.

Mike Sherman, a major shareholder with God's Lake, told CBC News he's seen several protests representing groups from around the globe at the Prospectors and Developers convention.

"The Indians from up north will have lots of company," he said.

Sherman noted he wouldn’t respond further to the protest, and added that it's up to the police to deal with the situation.

Chief heads to burial grounds

KI Chief Donny Morris wasn't at the protest, as he was heading to the burial grounds Tuesday after he learned the mining company was to bring in a big mining drill. The area is about 150 kilometres away from the community.

"My heart and soul is over there, that is my land," Morris said. "And I will be in an environment that I call home."

The community has tried several times during the past year to stop God’s Lake Resources from digging around on its burial grounds. Now it's hoping the rally, held outside the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto, will bring the drilling to a halt.

Ontario's mining minister attempted to pre-empt the protest. On Sunday, he announced he was taking 23,000 square kilometer area near KI off the map for mining companies.

Rick Bartolucci said it was an effort to address the First Nations concerns, but he admitted the withdrawal doesn't include the burial grounds.

"The reality, as we move forward, is there will be clarity in regards to those particular lands," Bartolucci said. 

God's Lake Resources announced last week it was taking a 3,000 metre drill to the disputed land — and it's not clear whether it's currently at the burial grounds, located 600 km north of Thunder Bay.

Four years ago, Ontario paid another mining company $5 million to abandon its claims near KI. The province won't say whether it's considering the same remedy in this dispute.