A proposal by Ur-Energy to explore for uranium south of the Thelon Game Sanctuary in the Northwest Territories is meeting with growing opposition from local residents.

Ur-Energy has applied for an exploration permit to drill 20 holes at Screech Lake, about 250 kilometres northeast of Lutselk'e and nine kilometres south of the Thelon Game Sanctuary, which straddles the border between N.W.T. and Nunavut.

'There's major concern with uranium.'-Monica Kreiger, Lutselk'e

The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board is holding hearings into the Ur-Energy proposal in Lutselk'e Tuesday and Wednesday.

Residents of Lutselk'e are opposed to the company's plans, says Monica Kreiger, manager of the Dene community's wildlife and lands committee.

"There's major concern with uranium," Kreiger told CBC News in a recent interview.

"We know this isn't a mine that's proposed, but the community has taken a position that they don't want to see a uranium mine so they're not going to approve even the initial stage of one there."

Beverly caribou herd may be affected

Residents are also concerned the exploration activity will affect the migrating Beverly caribou herd, she said.

"There's obvious concern for the Beverly caribou herd which migrates through the area where the drilling is proposed — twice a year both on north and south migrations. Timing of the proposed drilling coincides with the time the caribou are moving through the area," Kreiger said.

Canoe guide and author Alex Hall, who has been taking tourists into the Thelon region for 30 years, is also against the proposal.

'As far as I'm concerned, it's the most beautiful place in the world.'-Canoe guide Alex Hall

Tourists from around the world are attracted to the Thelon watershed because of its wildlife and wilderness, he said.

"Drilling for uranium out there isn't serving Canada's needs — it's to serve energy needs of India and China," he said.

"Where they want to drill… the biggest esker in the barren lands goes by there. As far as I'm concerned it's the most beautiful place in the world."

Ur-Energy is a Colorado-based junior mining exploration and development company.