Avalon 'disappointed' with comments on mine plan

Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board public hearings in Yellowknife into Avalon RareMetals' Nechalacho project at Thor Lake wrapped up Thursday.

The company wants to open a rare earths mine 100 kilometres southeast of the city.

During three days of public hearings, company representatives received tough criticism in particular from the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. Some members are dissatisfied with the plans for the project.

The First Nation says the company did not do enough to incorporate its traditional knowledge.

Avalon says it's been working with Yellowknives Dene since the beginning stages for the project.

"We were both saddened and disappointed by some of the comments," said David Swisher, Avalon's vice-president of operations.

"We've certainly gone through great lengths to communicate and work through the community there. However it is a public hearing."

He says the companywill work harder to create a plan the First Nation ishappy with.

The hearings continue Friday in Fort Resolution.