Public Notice

Novador Gold Mine Project

Comments Invited on the Draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and Public Participation Plan

What is happening?

June 4, 2024 — The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) is conducting an impact assessment for the proposed Novador Gold Mine Project, a new gold mine located near Val-d'Or, Quebec.

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

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

How can I participate?

Comments should be submitted online by visiting the project home page on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (reference number 86020). The draft Guidelines and the draft Plan are also available on the Registry. Participants who wish to provide their input in a different format can contact the Agency by writing to Novador@iaac-aeic.gc.ca.

Submit your comments online in either official language by 11:59 p.m. on July 4, 2024. All comments received will be published online as part of the project file.

Information Sessions

The Agency invites Indigenous Peoples and the public to attend an information session to learn more about the project, the impact assessment process, and how to submit comments on the draft documents.

Virtual information sessions (via Zoom):

• June 18, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET (French)
• June 18, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET (English)
• June 19, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET (French)

For information on how to attend a session, please visit the project homepage and click on "Information Sessions." An additional virtual session in English is available upon request. If you have any questions, please contact the Agency using the project email above.

Stay updated on this project by following the Agency on X (previously Twitter): @IAAC_AEIC #Novador or sign-up for notifications on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry.

What is the proposed project?

Probe Gold Inc. is proposing the construction and operation of a new open-pit and underground gold mine, located about 25 kilometres east of Val-d'Or, in Quebec. As proposed, the Novador Gold Mine Project would have a maximum ore production capacity of 24,000 tonnes per day with an estimated lifespan of 12.5 years. The project would include an ore processing plant, access roads, waste rock and overburden piles, a tailings storage facility and an electrical distribution substation.

Additional information

In October 2023, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change announced the Government of Canada's guidance on the interim administration of the Impact Assessment Act (the IAA), following the recent decision by the Supreme Court of Canada on the constitutionality of the IAA. According to the interim measures, advancing projects through the impact assessment process is at the discretion of the proponent. The Agency remains committed to collaborating with proponents to advance the assessment of projects and discuss the information requirements.

For media inquiries, contact the Agency's media relations team by writing to media@iaac-aeic.gc.ca, or by calling
343-549-3870.