A local mining prospector is suing the provincial government for $5 million after five years of waiting for consultations with First Nations communities cost him key investors.
Jim Campbell set out in 2009 to develop and explore the Godslith Claim, a lithium deposit approximately 365 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.
According to Campbell, the Ministry of Mineral Resources left the company in the lurch for five years as they waited for permit approval, forcing their investors to pull $1.3 million they intended to invest in the project.
The land sits on the ancestral land of the Manto Sipi Cree Nation, who staunchly oppose the development. According to court documents, consultation with the First Nations is still ongoing.
Campbell blames the ministry for being unable to reach an agreement with the First Nations community. “We haven’t really told any reason, other than their consultations (with First Nations) have not concluded, which is of course their duty to consult with the First Nations — but they haven’t after five years,” he said. All allegations have yet to be proven.
In a press release sent in February, MSCN Chief Michael Yellowback said they will not consult with the ministry on the issue until all land claims issues are addressed and settled.
“We have witnessed the NDP government’s failure to do proper consultations with other First Nations and we don’t want no part of it,” Yellowback said in the release.
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