December 1, 2008

MEDIA RELEASE: The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium's response to the agreement reached on uranium exploration in Eastern Ontario by the Ontario Algonquins, Frontenac Ventures Corporation and the Province of Ontario.

Re: Building Relationships Through Consultation. Ontario, First Nations And Industry Reach Agreement On Mineral Exploration In Eastern Ontario

http://www.aboriginalaffairs.gov.on.ca/english/news/2008/nov28nr_08.asp

The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU) has always been very supportive of our First Nation allies in the common fight against uranium exploration and mining in Eastern Ontario. Though we appreciate all of the hard work that has gone into reaching the concessions the Shabot Obaadjiwan and Snimikobi Algonquin have earned in these negotiations, CCAMU cannot accept any outcome that allows Frontenac Ventures Corporation to explore for uranium in the Mississippi River watershed west of Ottawa.

These negotiations were conducted behind closed doors with no involvement whatsoever by property owners, businesses or any of the 23 municipal governments in southern Ontario that have petitioned the Province for a moratorium against uranium exploration and drilling. We believe that this shows that the McGuinty government does not take seriously the concerns of 2 million residents represented by these Councils, which include Ottawa, Kingston, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and many other smaller townships and counties in eastern Ontario.

In the summer of 2007, the First Nations and non-native communities of Eastern Ontario came together to create a powerful force that has gained much attention worldwide. The Ontario government is now attempting to diminish our collective strength by turning allies against each other and ignoring thousands of taxpaying constituents, who have been protesting the exploration and mining of uranium in their communities.

The CCAMU represents thousands of landowners and concerned citizens who have not been consulted on the agreement reached by Ontario, First Nations and Frontenac Ventures Corp. on mineral exploration in Eastern Ontario.

It is the position of CCAMU that:

1. We strongly oppose drilling for uranium in areas of eastern Ontario.
2. The community has a valid interest in any agreement that includes exploration for uranium in our townships, counties and region and we object to the fact that the interests of the majority of affected stakeholders have not been considered.
3. We do not agree that the closed-door negotiations with Algonquin representatives protects our health, safety and the environment.
4. We support the call from 23 municipal Councils for a moratorium against uranium exploitation until proper analysis of environmental, economic and social impacts can be completed.

CCAMU will not be deterred from its goals and expects the Ontario government to:

• Establish a moratorium on exploration of uranium in eastern Ontario;
• Rejoin mining rights with surface rights in southern Ontario;
• Replace the system of free entry with a system of permitting that includes environmental assessment, public input and financial assurance in order to balance needs and minimize conflict; and,
• Ensure there is a process to identify ‘no-go’ zones (areas where mining activities will not be permitted.)
  

CCAMU contacts:

Marilyn Crawford
613-273-4511

Donna Dillman
613-259-9988

Wolfe Erlichman
613-273-3986

John Kittle
613 278 1007

KINGSTON- This past weekend CTV’s current affairs program W5 brought national attention to the plight of Ontario landowners who for more than a decade, have been fighting to protect their properties from unwanted mining activities. In spite of the process to reform the Mining Act of Ontario, the failings of the Act continue to be a hot topic. The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU) representing thousands of landowners and concerned citizens, welcomed the TV attention and hopes it spurs the government to seriously consider its proposals to fix antiquated mining legislation in Ontario. “We are following the Mining Act review process very closely and we will be expecting several things from it,” says Marilyn Crawford, a member of CCAMU.

• CCAMU’s expects the province to:
  • establish a moratorium on exploration of uranium in eastern Ontario;
  • rejoin mining rights with surface rights in southern Ontario;
  • replace the system of free entry with a system of permitting that includes environmental assessment, public input and financial assurance in order to balance needs and minimize conflict; and,
  • ensure there is a process to identify ‘no-go’ zones (areas will mining activities will not be permitted).

“Our community continues to endure hardships. As long as there are no changes to Ontario’s Mining Act, it is just a matter of time before another conflict arises. The public won’t accept that claims can be staked on private land and that exploration for uranium can take place without community consent and environmental assessment,” said Wolfe Erlichman, a member of CCAMU.

For more information, please contact
Wolfe Erlichman
Marilyn Crawford 613 273 4511
www.ccamu.ca and www.uraniumcitizensinquiry.com

BACKGROUND

Frank and Gloria Morrison first brought national attention on CBC’s ‘As it Happens’ in January 2007 and again this week on CTV’s current affairs program ‘W Five.’ Next will be international exposure: German television plans to air a documentary later this month. The protest at the Robertsville Mine site and the formation of Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium were initiated when Frontenac Ventures Corporation staked a mining claim on private property.

Plans to explore for uranium lead to the day jailing of Bob Lovelace of the Ardoch Algonquin for his part in the peaceful protest at the Robertsville site. One hundred days into his sentence, a court of appeal released Mr. Lovelace. In September, Judge Cunningham awarded costs of $175 000 to be paid by Lovelace and his community. Donna Dillman, a member of CCAMU, went on a 68 day hunger strike to raise awareness to issues involving uranium exploration and mining.

In April, 2008, CCAMU held the Citizens’ Inquiry into the Impacts of the Uranium Cycle with over 400 presentations and submissions. The report, Staking our Claim on a Healthy Future, made recommendations to Federal and Provincial governments.

Premier McGuinty announced that, “Ontario is going to modernize the way mining companies stake and explore their claims to be more respectful of Aboriginal communities and private land holders.” There is no hint that changes will modernize the Mining Act and growing evidence that the public won’t be satisfied with a band-aid solution.

The controversial free-entry system allows prospectors to claim rights to minerals
on private property, public lands and traditional First Nations’ territory without any need for prior consent, permit or environmental assessment. It grants rights to prospectors to stake claims and to enter, occupy and use lands to explore for minerals.