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Clearwater River Dene Nation (CRDN) has launched a safety checkpoint along Highway 955 north of La Loche as uranium exploration activity continues to grow in the western Athabasca Basin.
The checkpoint took effect on Tuesday and is located on CRDN reserve land along the main route into uranium exploration areas.
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CRDN said all travellers passing through the reserve will be asked to check in. The checkpoint was established in response to increased uranium exploration and the need for up-to-date information about industrial activity within its traditional territory.
Earlier this month NexGen Energy Ltd, a uranium exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, began construction on its $2.2 billion Rook I Project — a new underground mine and mill development in the southwestern area of the Athabasca Basin.
In June, Denison Mines began construction on another new mine in the Athabasca Basin, which will be the first in Canada to use in-situ recovery as its mining technique.
Chief Teddy Clark told larongeNOW that companies including F4 Uranium, F3 Uranium, Standard Uranium, IsoEnergy and Cameco are active in the region. He also said BHP has recently acquired land and could potentially undertake work there in the future.
The increased activity is prompting some CRDN members to pursue training for jobs connected to the industry.
Clark said most of that training has been short-term, while some members have pursued longer-term education in areas such as environmental monitoring and geotechnical work.
Much of the current work involves heavy equipment operation, including assisting geologists with core logging. He added some members also came into the current mining boom with training and experience in areas such as housekeeping and cooking.
While CRDN sees economic opportunities in the growing industry, Clark said the Nation is not prepared to simply give every company the green light.
“We are open to an extent,” he said. “We cannot just say yes, go ahead to every, every, every company.”
The First Nation said the checkpoint will support public and community safety, environmental oversight and communication with companies operating in the area.
It is also intended to support CRDN’s responsibilities related to its lands, waters, resources and Treaty rights.
Companies, contractors and other industry representatives travelling through the area for industrial work will be asked to provide basic information.
That includes the company they represent, the general nature and location of the work, how long the work is expected to continue and appropriate company or site contact information.
The First Nation said the information will help it understand where and when industrial activity is occurring and maintain communication with operators and trained, uniformed personnel will operate the checkpoint in a lawful, peaceful and professional manner.
CRDN said the checkpoint is intended to improve information-sharing, safety, transparency and accountability and is not intended to interfere with lawful travel or responsible industrial activity and the First Nation remains open to responsible uranium exploration and mining development.
According to CRDN, it will continue working with governments, regulators and companies that respect Indigenous rights, meaningful engagement and Nation-led monitoring processes while also reaffirming its position as a steward and guardian of the lands it uses and occupies.
Highway 955 runs north of La Loche into a region that has seen increasing uranium exploration activity in recent years.
— with files from DiscoverMooseJaw and larongeNOW
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