Public Notice
Wasamac Gold Mine Project — Public Comments Invited and Virtual Information Sessions

What is happening?

January 8, 2021 — The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) decided that an impact assessment is required for the proposed Wasamac Gold Mine Project, located near Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec.

As part of the planning phase in the impact assessment, the Agency invites the public and Indigenous peoples to review and provide feedback on the draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines (Guidelines) and the draft Public Participation Plan.

The draft Guidelines outline the project-specific factors that will be considered in the assessment and provide direction to the proponent, Monarch Gold Corporation, on the information and studies required in its Impact Statement. The draft Public Participation Plan explains how the public will be engaged throughout the review process. The Plan provides details on how and when public participation opportunities will take place for each phase of the impact assessment.

The Agency recognizes it is more challenging to undertake meaningful public engagement and Indigenous consultation in light of the circumstances arising from COVID-19. The Agency continues to assess the situation, adjust consultation activities and provide flexibility as needed in order to prioritize the health and safety of all Canadians and conduct meaningful engagement with interested groups.

How can I participate?

Comments can be submitted online by visiting the project home page on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (reference number 80879). All comments received will be published online as part of the project file.

Written comments in either official language will be accepted until February 7, 2021.

For more information on the project, the review process and alternative means of submitting comments, visit the Agency's website at canada.ca/iaac.

Virtual Information Sessions

The Agency is holding virtual information sessions that will take place on January 26 and 27, 2021. The sessions will include a presentation on the project's impact assessment process, the draft guidelines and the draft public participation plan, followed by a question period. Interested participants can join the session on Zoom using the following links:

  • January 26, 2021, 10:30 p.m. EST: first virtual session – Click here.
  • January 26, 2021, 2:30 p.m. EST: second virtual session – Click here.
  • January 27, 2021, 7 p.m. EST: third virtual session – Click here.

We invite you to register at least 1 hour before the session. For more information on how to attend the virtual sessions, please contact the Agency at: iaac.wasamac.aeic@canada.ca or 418-254-2435.

Will there be more opportunities to participate?

This is the second federal comment period for the project. The project will benefit from several other opportunities for the public and Indigenous peoples to participate throughout the impact assessment process.

Stay updated by following the Agency on Twitter: @IAAC_AEIC #Wasamac

What is the proposed project?

Monarch Gold Corporation is proposing the construction, operation, decommissioning and abandonment of an underground gold mine located in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, approximately 15 kilometres from downtown Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. As proposed, the Wasamac Gold Mine Project would have a mine life of 11 years and an ore production capacity of 6053 tonnes per day. The project would include the operation of an underground mine, the construction of an ore processing plant and related infrastructure, and the development of underground infrastructures for ore and waste rock transportation as well as waste rock, tailings and overburden accumulation areas. The proponent is considering the possibility for transporting the ore by rail to process it at a plant in Ontario, as an alternative to the construction of a processing plant in Quebec.

For more information on the Agency's privacy policies, consult the Privacy Notice on its website at canada.ca/iaac.

Document Reference Number: 54

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