Environment Ministry investigating Garcia Silica
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.