MiningWatch Canada has received $31,270 from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency as part of the participant funding for the Kemess North mine environmental assessment. The funds were a portion of the $99,000 given out by the Agency for intervenors.

The four affected First Nations elected to boycott the process on the basis that it contravenes their Aboriginal rights and title to the mine area. The company intends to take Duncan Lake for a tailings impoundment, and the First Nations say this is not negotiable. The mining company, Northgate Minerals, argues that it is the only economically feasible option.

The participant funding will pay for the services of two British Columbia-based experts to analyze two aspects the EIS prepared by the proponent: the impacts on Duncan Lake and the fish habitat compensation plan being proposed, and the socio-economic implications of the project.