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Hagersville (
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) isn't ready to say how it will react to a Six Nations business taking over an unlicensed quarry.
"It's under investigation," spokesperson Barry Radford said simply.
At issue, is the 93-hectare Nichols Gravel Ltd. limestone quarry on 12th Concession west of Hagersville, which Gary Nichols turned over to Bill Monture's Aboriginal Imports with the blessing of the Haudenosaunee Development Institute.
Monture argued he didn't need provincial approval "until such time as all Six Nations land claims have been resolved."
Radford said the ministry doesn't recognize the right of Monture or the institute to operate the quarry because "no licence has been applied for or issued to operate a quarry at that location."
Nichols Gravel received a licence in 2003, but lost it in 2004 for failing to comply with conditions.
A ministry lawyer wrote in a letter last year that the company's behaviour after the licence was issued "drove MNR to the conclusion that Nichols Gravel is fundamentally ungovernable and that its licence should be revoked. Having received its licence, Nichols Gravel pointedly refused to obey multiple terms of the licence and continued to refuse to obey them while operating illegally for a three-year period after the suspension and eventual revocation of its licence."
Radford said company directors have been convicted under the Aggregate Resources Act.