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Environment Ministry investigating Garcia Silica

Feb 21, 2018 | 1:00 PM

Exploration activities taking place at the site of a proposed silica mine have raised concerns among La Ronge residents and the provincial government.

Cathy Wheaton, a land defender and resident of La Ronge, attended a community meeting hosted by Garcia Silica and owner Camilo Garcia on Jan 31. She still had concerns about the proposed silica mine south of La Ronge after the meeting, so she took to the Internet to do more research.

“I really wanted to find out more about this individual, who he was, what he is doing, what kind of background did he have, those kinds of things,” Wheaton said.

In her Internet searches, Wheaton said she found Youtube videos posted by an account named Camilo Garcia Benitez. The videos show trees being cut, land being drilled and other exploration activities Wheaton said she immediately recognized the location south of La Ronge, where Garcia Silica Inc. holds leases.

Wheaton said she considers it is her duty as a steward of the lands to remain watchful and vigilant for any potentially-harmful activities. She said the Ministry of Environment may not have the resources needed to seek out and discover potential breaches, so she sent the videos their way. Wheaton said she doesn’t want to see any more permits issued to the silica mining company due to the potential violations, and called on the Ministry of Environment to do something about the activity she’s noticed so far.

“If someone’s doing something that’s not permitted, you’ve got to do something about this,” Wheaton said. “He said he knows all about development, but he’s totally disregarding what the legal processes are. I don’t want that guy out there. Who knows what he’s going to try?”

In an email to LaRongeNOW the Ministry of Environment said they are aware of the videos, and confirmed an investigation is underway.

The email stated Garcia Silica Inc. acquired mineral claims in the La Ronge area in Dec of 2013, but the claims expired in March of 2017. Mineral rights permit exploration for various resources on Crown mineral lands, however work authorizations are required before activities can start.

“Garcia Silica received a work authorization for the exploration of silica sands in February, 2017, but it was cancelled in April, 2017 when it was determined that the correct authorizations were not in place with the Ministry of Economy,” a Ministry spokesperson said.

In August of 2017, Garcia Silica was issued three five-year quarry dispositions, or leases for sites south of La Ronge. The dispositions granted Garcia Silica the right to search, dig, work, quarry, process or carry away granular silica and clay, but not the approval to start the exploration activities. In order to conduct exploration work, a work authorization is required.

“A work authorization for the exploration of silica and clay in the claim area has not been approved by the Ministry of Environment since August 1, 2017,” the spokesperson said.

The videos sent to the ministry also included clips of a worker sawing trees into stakes roughly five feet long, which a voice-over commentary states will be used to stake the company’s land claim.

In order to literally stake out a claim using local lumber, a Forest Product Permit must be obtained, and non-compliance may result in a formula-based penalty or charges under the Forest Resources Management Act, according to the Ministry of Environment.

Camilo Garcia, the CEO for Garcia Silica Inc. previously told LaRongeNOW he had permits which allowed him to cut trees and produce furniture like beds and chairs. It is unclear whether the same permits allowed him to create the posts to stake his land claim.

Garcia also said he wanted to ensure he was following the proper processes in making his proposed mine a reality.

“We don’t want to do anything here without doing it properly,” Garcia said. “This is a big project, and we don’t want to jeopardize it for anything.”

Garcia did not respond to requests for comment regarding the YouTube videos.

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band said they have yet to receive official documentation from the provincial government which would trigger any duty to consult processes. Duties to consult are triggered when resource development projects could negatively impact traditional land users. Darwin Roy, the band’s Lands and Resources co-coordinator, said he was aware of the proposed project, but hasn’t officially engaged with the company. He said if a duty to consult is triggered, he will reach out to traditional users of the land for input.

 

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas