British Columbia environmental officials say a permit for a road to the Tulsequah Chief Mine will be delayed.
Mine owners Chieftain Metals had hoped for the permit in time to start construction this summer. The proposed road would run south of Atlin, B.C., through Taku River First Nations territory. Until the road is built, the company has said it planned to barge equipment and supplies from Juneau up the Taku River to the mine. The old mine is located near the confluence of the Tulsequah and Taku rivers.
The Tlingit group has historically been opposed to the road, and it appears an alternate route does not satisfy main concerns. Chieftain Metals in February submitted its permit application to Canadian environmental assessment agencies.
CBC’s Vic Istchenko was in Atlin last week and reports from meetings on the mine.
