Canon City Daily Record  Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Survey says most in Dawson Ranch against mining project

Mr. William Felderhof, executive chairman of Zephyr Minerals Ltd., an exploratory/mining company based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has recently posted numerous comments and responses on our local Dawson Next Door website. He has stated that “I believe the majority of folks in CC and Fremont Co. are supportive of the proposed venture,” referring to the establishment of a gold mine immediately south and west of Cañon City. He has also been quick to claim that Zephyr’s proposed mine, ..., will be a small operation processing approximately 300 tons of ore per day, few haul trucks and all of which will leave “a small environmental footprint.”

Let’s look more closely at those claims.

... Mr. Felderhof, 86% of the residents of Dawson Ranch responding to a Dawson survey don’t agree with you. ... Your commentary represents the self-serving wonderments of a corporation with visions of mineral riches in its eyes. It ignores the vision of Fremont County residents. Your mining adventure threatens the very existence of our stable surroundings wherein both fauna and flora co-exist in an unbroken environment.

But wait! There’s more! Your commentary has suggested that the proposed mine will occupy limited space, with limited disruption in our community. More gaslighting! Our County Commissioners have granted you an exploratory permit that includes in excess of 3,500 acres, thereby acquiring approximately 7.5 miles of public land, east to west, all available for permitting and exploitation.

Theoretically, and if successful, that would make Fremont County the possessor of one of the world’s largest mines. Your corporate presentation (Zephyr Minerals, Ltd. website) enthusiastically represents the 3,500-acre potential for this very circumstance to happen (with disclaimers, of course). Go home, sir! This community is not as mining-friendly as you have been led to believe.

Gary Peterson, Royal Gorge Preservation Project