In a startling revelation, Derek Dodge, a known figure from the popular reality TV show “Gold Rush,” has come under fire for serious environmental violations. His company, Derek Dodge Mining Corporation, was recently fined for failing to adhere to the Yukon Wildlife Act. The case centered around the unauthorized killing of four black bears at Dodge’s mining operations near Carax, Yukon in the summer of 2016.
Despite repeated warnings from local conservation officers between 2013 and 2016, Dodge’s company neglected to report the bear killings as mandated by local laws. These incidents were not disclosed until a conservation officer’s routine visit in September 2016. Upon questioning, Dodge initially denied any issues with bears or any killings, contradicting later evidence of the events.
The legal proceedings revealed that Dodge feared the repercussions of reporting the deaths, concerned about potential shutdowns and costly delays to his mining operations. In court, it also emerged that Dodge mistakenly believed the responsibility for reporting the deaths rested with his employees.
In a resolution that has drawn attention to the challenges miners face in managing interactions with wildlife, the Yukon Territorial Court fined the Derek Dodge Mining Corporation $3,500. The court directed that the fine be paid as a donation to Wild wise Yukon, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mitigating human-wildlife conflicts, with a focus on bear encounters.
This case serves as a significant reminder of the environmental responsibilities that come with mining activities, emphasizing the importance of adhering to wildlife protection laws to prevent similar incidents.
