The Tłı̨chǫ Government and Explor Silica (Explor) have arrived at a significant agreement to safeguard an important part of Mǫwhì Gogha Dè Nı̨ı̨tłèè.
Both parties have agreed that Explor will relinquish four of its mineral claims in the Dınàgà Wek’èhodì Candidate Protected Area. This means that Explor will not develop the four relinquished claims, which include the K’ıchıı (Whitebeach Point) area, an area of significant cultural importance and ecological value for the Tłı̨chǫ. Instead, these areas will be set aside as part of the Dınàgà Wek’èhodì Candidate Protected Area.
When Husky first came to the Tłı̨chǫ Government in 2014 with a proposal to develop silica mining claims in Mǫwhì Gogha Dè Nı̨ı̨tłèè, Tłı̨chǫ citizens expressed grave concerns relating to the potential development of the four claims within the Dınàgà Wek’èhodì Candidate Protected Area. The Tłı̨chǫ Government heard its citizens’ concerns and after Explor signed a Mining Option agreement with Husky in 2016, the Tłı̨chǫ Government advised Explor that the four claims would need to be relinquished before the Tłı̨chǫ Government could consider evaluating the potential development of any of Explor’s other mineral claims in Mǫwhì Gogha Dè Nı̨ı̨tłèè.
The Tłı̨chǫ Government and Explor will now begin evaluating the potential development of Explor’s other mineral claims in Mǫwhì Gogha Dè Nı̨ı̨tłèè. Both Explor and the Tłı̨chǫ Government appreciate that it is difficult to fully understand how potential development could affect the land, water, wildlife and Tłı̨chǫ rights and culture without the involvement of Tłı̨chǫ Citizens, and are eager to hear from Citizens on this important matter.
