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Prospector's association hails court ruling as victory (5/02)

The Ontario Prospectors Association (OPA) is lauding a recent court ruling won by a lone prospector against two provincial government departments.
Northern Ontario Business Staff

The Ontario Prospectors Association (OPA) is lauding a recent court ruling won by a lone prospector against two provincial government departments.

Prospector Doug Robinson of Kirkland Lake won a judgment for damages against the ministries of Natural Resources and Northern Development and Mines.

Robinson contended in court that the placing of candidate park sites over his existing mining claims negatively affected the value of his claims.

“…I have no choice but to find the plaintiff’s two mining claims are now worthless and he is entitled to compensation for this portion of his claims,” Deputy Judge Pierre D. Brunelle stated in his judgment.

The judgment confirms the position the OPA has taken since the beginning of the Lands for Life process. The process has resulted in the creation of almost 400 new parks.

"The Doug Robinson case is a milestone in the battle for fair treatment of the owners of mining claims negatively affected by the Living Legacy process," says Garry Clark, OPA executive director.

Clark says the OPA is evaluating the court judgment and has started discussions on defining the adequate compensation for those affected claim holders.