Ontario Graphite, Ltd. - Permit to take water

Comments relevant to the water taking proposal were considered as part of the review of the application. The main concerns raised were regarding the following: 

• The purpose of the water takings
• Effects of the water takings on area groundwater levels and aquifers
• Effects of the water takings to water quantity and flow in area surface waters and associated potential impacts to aquatic environments
• Potential impacts to water quality in area surface waters and receiving environment resulting from discharge and site water management
• Site closure planning and financial assurance

This PTTW renews certain activities authorized by PTTW No. 1213-933SR9, including water takings from an Open Pit for water management and dewatering purposes, water takings from a cut-off trench for groundwater remediation purposes, and takings from Graphite Lake to support process water requirements for mining activities.

The PTTW includes several conditions to monitor for and mitigate potential adverse impacts of the water takings to area surface water quantity (flow and water levels). The Permit Holder is required to carry out a comprehensive hydrological monitoring plan, involving monitoring of water levels in Graphite Lake, and stream flow in the outlet of Graphite Lake (upstream of Little North Magnetawan River) and a tributary to Magnetawan River. Prior to water takings from Graphite Lake, the Permit Holder must carry out additional monitoring and analysis of Graphite Lake water levels and outlet flow to characterize baseline conditions so that potential effects can be identified and mitigated. The Permit prohibits water takings from Graphite Lake if lake water levels are below an established low water threshold and stipulates that all water takings be carried out in such a matter that streamflow is not stopped nor reduced to a rate that will cause interference with downstream uses of water or with natural stream functions. 

The monitoring plan also includes groundwater monitoring to assess the effects of open pit dewatering on the groundwater levels. If the Permit Holder intends to dewater below a certain elevation, they must apply to amend this Permit and submit a hydrogeological study prepared by a Qualified Person, assessing effects of dewatering to local groundwater and surface water and providing recommended mitigation measures to address impacts. 

The Permit Holder must submit annual monitoring reports to the ministry summarizing and interpreting all monitoring data collected under the conditions of this Permit. The Permit authorizes discharge of open pit dewatering water to Graphite if strict effluent discharge criteria based on applicable water quality guidelines and objectives for the protection of freshwater aquatic life are met. The Permit Holder must monitor, sample and analyze open pit water quality before and regularly throughout the discharge activity to ensure that discharge criteria are met. Water quality monitoring results must be submitted to the ministry on a weekly basis during discharge to ensure close ministry oversight and frequent compliance evaluation. If criteria for discharge of open pit water to Graphite Lake are not met, direct discharge to Graphite Lake must not occur, and instead open pit dewatering water must be treated and managed in accordance with the site’s existing Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA No. 2876-B3AQTS). The management, treatment and discharge of all other site water is regulated under ECA No. 2876-B3AQTS. 

Closure planning and financial assurance are outside the scope of PTTW and are the subject of other regulatory instruments. The Permit does not relieve any obligations for the Permit Holder to comply with any other applicable legal requirements. The PTTW is issued with a standard condition that ensures if the taking of water is observed to cause any negative impact or interference with other applicable water users, the Permit Holder is responsible for both short and long-term reparations to those affected. Additionally, the ministry is committed to environmental monitoring and reporting to track water taking progress over time and undertaking compliance and enforcement actions to ensure consistency with environmental laws. In the event that significant environmental harm is caused, the ministry will work to ensure that the environment is rehabilitated to the extent feasible.