Court tells Whitehorse man to re-think Mount Lorne claim lawsuit

A Whitehorse lawyer, seeking compensation for his Mount Lorne mining claims, has been told his lawsuit is "premature."

A Yukon Supreme Court judge has adjourned the case indefinitely.

Barry Ernewein sued the Yukon government, saying it rendered his Mount Lorne mineral claims useless in 2006 when it changed the land's classification to 'Hinterland.'

The government disagrees, saying mining is not explicitly forbidden by the designation, but that mines must meet land-use requirements and obtain permits.

The claims were acquired in 1998 and are outside of Whitehorse city limits in the Carcross Road area near Cowley Lake. The rural residential area is covered with historical mining claims but has never been developed.

Until last month Ernewein had never applied for authorization to develop his mineral claims. He now says he wishes to develop an open-pit mine.

The Yukon government said Ernewein must seek approval from the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board for any project.

Ernewein did attempt to file a land development application last month but was told it was incomplete.