This exploration permit must…

This exploration permit must be considered in conjunction with the extensive gold exploration under which Agnico Eagle has and is undertaking in the Temiskaming, Abitibi area, extending into Quebec. The cumulative impact on the environment is and will be far-reaching. This proposed permit will be directly adding to the burdens created with the Upper Beaver Project for which Agnico Eagle has not yet submitted an Impact Statement to IAAC. This designated area for exploration overlaps sensitive wetlands and is part of the Misema-Blanche River system. Local land owners have already experienced lack of access to their properties and suffered quality of life issues related to existing projects. Exploration does not occur in isolation.

Gold, though not classified as a critical mineral in Canada, has benefited from mining protections in Ontario due to changes in the Mining Act and related legislation. In contrast, water—essential to all life—requires robust safeguards under the Ontario Environmental Protection Act to ensure its preservation. Pollution and contamination due to mining presents risks that must be managed. Further, management of our water systems is of paramount importance in the face of climate change.

Gold mining activities such as stripping of overburden and pumping water to wash bedrock are of particular concern. Such operations can increase sediment in rivers and streams. This sediment can smother fish habitats, reduce water quality, and disrupt the life cycles of aquatic species. About a decade ago, research began showing mining had a far greater impact on water systems and these impacts were felt further downstream than previously known (Daniel et al., 2015). Mining processes often require significant amounts of water, which can reduce the availability of water for other uses and impact local ecosystems. The use of groundwater for these purposes outpaces the natural ability for replenishment (Groundwater, 2022). Mining contamination by heavy metals and toxic chemicals also poses risks to both aquatic organisms and human health due to contamination of waterways. Unfortunately, this proposed exploration site is adjacent to historical tailings. Water testing for the initial Upper Beaver project showed elevated levels of known contaminants. These contamination levels were dismissed by reports for Agnico Eagle. Yet, these levels were corroborated by independent professional testing conducted for local landowners and follow the flow patterns allowing contamination of waterways. Agnico Eagle has also recently undertaken a local survey in the proposed area asking about stream and river usage with an eye to blocking these. There are numerous springs feeding the waterways in this area. This would ultimately impact the ability for groundwater replenishment and compromise quality.

Disconcertingly, Agnico Eagle has shown a disinclination to manage water usage and protect waterways in their other projects. On the public record is a fine for failure to report a tailings leak at their Meadowbank location and the request for an emergency order to release water far in excess of the normally allowable Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) at Meliadine Lake. The latter was not reported in a timely manner, was without community consultation and did not proactively treat the water despite ability to do so. The amount far exceeded levels allowed in Quebec and the U.S.

Taken altogether, this creates potential for long-term impacts on environment and public health. The proposal must not be taken lightly and without due consideration of Agnico Eagle’s other projects and past history. This proposed area is an integral part of a water system which is relied upon by many. This proposed area feeds into a regional area demonstrating a 67% decline in water quality over approximately the last 20 years for which mining is one of the direct causes (Government of Canada, 2024). This necessitates action to protect against further decline due to mining activities.

References
Government of Canada. (2024, February 29). Water Quality in Canadian Rivers. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmen…

Daniel, W. M., Infante, D. M., Hughes, R. M., Tsang, Y.-P., Esselman, P. C., Wieferich, D., Herreman, K., Cooper, A. R., Wang, L., & Taylor, W. W. (2015). Characterizing mineral mines as a regional source of stress to stream fish assemblages. Ecological Indicators, 50, 50–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.10.018

Groundwater: Our most valuable hidden resource. The Nature Conservancy. (2022, March 13). https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/groun…