Constance Lake going to mediation

Constance Lake is going to mediation with Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. over mineral exploration drilling in its traditional territory northwest of Hearst.
“We’re still negotiating with Zenyatta,” said Constance Lake Chief Arthur Moore May 19. “We thought things were going great but we decided to go through the mediation process.”
Moore will be attending the mediation process May 24 in Toronto, which a judge has been appointed to oversee.
“So we should be able to come up with some solutions, hopefully,” Moore said. “Litigation is costly, so we decided to go the other route. I think we have a strong case to present to the judge.”
Ontario Superior Court Justice Sidney N. Lederman had ordered Constance Lake, Zenyatta and the provincial government to carry on further consultations until May 20, but Moore said there were difficulties dealing with the company so the community decided to look at another option to come up with a resolution.
“I’m hoping by late next week (May 23-27) we’ll have a complete answer basically where they are ensuring that Aboriginal rights are protected and our traditional lands are protected and Aboriginal treaty rights (are protected),” Moore said.
During Constance Lake’s initial April 29 court hearing seeking to stop Zenyatta from further exploration drilling in its traditional territory, Lederman ordered the three parties to meet until May 11 to attempt to resolve the issue.
“I am glad to see the court taking these issues seriously,” Moore said at the time. “We take them very seriously. If exploration is going to occur, it needs to be done right – in a way that is respectful to the land, to our people, and to our rights.”
Zenyatta announced the start of a 20,000 metre drill program in the Albany Project in a Feb. 28 press release. Zenyatta is targeting nickel, copper and platinum group metals in its Albany Project claims, which cover 300,000 acres.
The company stated in a May 12 press release that if the parties do not reach a consensus in the interim, the motion for an interim injunction will be argued May 20.
Zenyatta said it remains committed to on-going good faith dialogue with the Crown and Constance Lake respecting the community's concerns but will defend its rights and interests. The company's board and management are optimistic that an agreement can be reached with Constance Lake.