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News Release

Friday, March 31, 2023

11 North Gold halts exploration work on Northeast Arm of Lake Temagami

Mining exploration work on the northeast arm of Lake Temagami has stopped, following a cease-and-desist order issued to Gino Chitaroni of 11 North Gold, as directed by the Chiefs of the Joint Council.

The immediate issue has been handled diplomatically with exploration activity halted. Upon meeting with the exploration company this morning, CXS will be packing up the abandoned equipment.

At this point in time, no consultation has occurred on this early exploration activity. According to our mining protocol, consultation must be meaningful, and must occur within a reasonable timeline, prior to activities.

Discussions with 11 North Gold are expected to proceed to resolve this breach of our process and to determine next steps. In the meantime, we are assured that the CXS exploration crew will retrieve equipment and await further direction.

Dan Mongrain, Resource Development Advisor said that meeting community expectations and a reasonable timeline are required. “We have not been provided with the workplan that would give a detailed timeline of the work. We have not received any communications inviting us to have a guided tour of the project or the opportunity to provide comments and address safety concerns before ‘boots on the ground’.”

An official response by letter from the Joint Council of the Temagami First Nation and the Teme-Augama Anishnabai, regarding the lack of consultation, is being issued to 11 North Gold today. Also, the letter will be sent to both the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Natural Resources to inform Ontario of this issue, outlining the recent events.    

For further information:

Dan Mongrain, Resource Development Advisor

Email: resourcedev@temagamifirstnation.ca

705-237-8943 ext. 209