Corporate greed highlighted in latest Platinex lawsuit against Ontario over "their mining rights"
Corporations continue to benefit from attacking First Nations through their claims to traditional lands and resources, ie. the "free entry" mining act or "forestry" or through the "developments" such as in Caledonia. And if they do not get what they want from the First Nations, then they simply sue the provincial government so they can get the dollars they require to continue their attacks on First Nation territories.
Platinex law suit claims Ontario failed to protect it from land claim
May 22, 2008
TORONTO — The Ontario government is being sued by a small mining company claiming it has suffered millions of dollars in costs because the province botched its duties towards a First Nation group.
Platinex Inc. (TSXV:PTX) says it has been unable to gain access to its claims at Big Trout Lake because of actions by the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, also known as the KI First Nation.
The company claims the province failed in its duty to consult with the KI and also failed to warn Platinex that it wouldn't enforce the land claims.
The company's allegations haven't been tested in court.
It's seeking more than $70 million from the province, including claiming $50 million of general damages, $20 million of special damages, plus interest and costs.
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Platinex press release
Platinex Commences Lawsuit Against Ontario Government
TORONTO, May 22 - Platinex Inc. (TSX Venture: PTX) today announced that it had commenced a lawsuit against the Government of Ontario claiming $50 million of general damages, $20 million of special damages, plus interest and costs. The lawsuit arises out of its mining claims in the Big Trout Lake area. Platinex has been unable to gain access to its mining claims because of actions by Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug ("KI").
Platinex claims that Ontario failed to discharge its obligation to consult KI and that it breached its duty to warn Platinex that it would not enforce the rule of law around the Platinex mining claims. Platinex has suffered substantial wasted expenditures and economic harm as a result of not being able to access its mining claims.
James Trusler, President and CEO of Platinex, stated, "We felt we had no choice but to file this lawsuit. Our exhaustive efforts in consultation with KI over nine years have been rejected by KI despite landmark Supreme Court rulings which have determined that a First Nation does not have a veto and also despite recommendations of the recent Ipperwash inquiry. Our court ordered access to the mining claims has not been enforced."
In addition to the pursuit of access to and exploration of the Big Trout Lake property, Platinex intends to focus its future exploration efforts on other areas. On April 22, 2008, Platinex announced that it had staked claims in Ontario at North McFauld's Lake, South McFauld's Lake, Norton Lake, Awkward Lake, Core Zone and Tib Lake. Platinex also announced that it had acquired an option on claims in Churchill, MacMurchy and Asquith Townships, in Ontario. Additionally, on March 3, 2008, Platinex announced that it had staked claims on the Muskox Intrusion, in Nunavut Territory.