Innu protesters maintained their presence on the railway line Monday to demand environmental commitments from the mining company. On Sunday, a meeting between protesters and Tata Steel officials failed to resolve the impasse.

• Also read: A train blocked by protesters in Schefferville

Tata Steel Canada is silent on the consequences of this traffic disruption on the railroad leading to its mine.

As of September 5, the company has been in a force majeure situation because it can no longer ship iron ore from its Schefferville mine to Sept-Îles.

Deliveries of heating oil, which is necessary for mining activities, are also interrupted.

According to TVA Nouvelles, the mine’s production is reduced to a minimum, while the end of summer and autumn are two important production periods for Tata Steel. Typically, three to four trains of iron ore leave the Schefferville mine each week.

Tata Steel Canada confirmed to TVA Nouvelles that company officials met with participants in the blockade on Sunday to hear their demands.

“In addition, we are using all of our energies and resources to resolve this situation as quickly as possible,” said Éric Luneau, Vice President of Human Resources, TataSteel Canada, via email.

In a statement, the Committee on First Peoples’ Rights said environmental issues are motivating protesters to continue the blockade. Public health concerns have also been raised.

“Once we receive written confirmation from those responsible at the mining company, we can end the blockade of this rail line,” protester Pauline Aster said in the press release.

It has not been possible to know exactly what confirmations are expected from the protesters, who are not available for interviews.