This consultation was open from:
August 10, 2020
to September 9, 2020
Decision summary
The Director of Exploration has made a decision on the exploration permit application PR-20-000244 to Flag Resources for early exploration activities within Mackelcan Township.
The decision is to issue the permit.
Location details
Site location details
The mining activities are located approximately 48 kilometres northeast of Sudbury, Ontario, Sudbury District
Claim numbers instructions: “To view individual claims on a map please use the Mining Lands Administration System. Click on “I want to…” and select “Find a claim” to search by claim numbers or “Find a township” to search by township.”
Claim numbers: 126920, 162230, 221645, 324766
Lease numbers instructions: “To view individual leases on a map please use the Mining Lands Administration System. Click on “Search by Location” and select “Mining Lease” to search by lease numbers or “Find a township” to search by township.”
Lease numbers: LEA-108595, LEA-108889
Site location map
The location pin reflects the approximate area where environmental activity is taking place.
View this location on a map opens link in a new windowProponent(s)
Mark Hall
580 Kantola Road
Lively,
ON
P3Y 1H8
Canada
Decision details
On September 25, 2020 the ministry issued an exploration permit within Mackelcan Township to perform early exploration activities.
This permit will allow the company to perform mechanized drilling, stripping, pitting and trenching of bedrock and line cutting.
The exploration permit was issued once all Indigenous communities and the public had the opportunity to provide comment or raise their concerns. The issued exploration permit is valid for a period of three years from the date of issue.
Effects of consultation
The comments submitted were primarily concerned with mineral exploration in the Wolf Lake area and potential effects to the landscape including the old growth forest in this area.
In this regard, the proposed early exploration activities will be completed in a manner that minimizes their effects to the natural environment and public safety by;
- Following industry best practice guideline
- Requiring compliance with;
- General Requirements in Ontario Regulation 308/12;
- Provincial Standards for Early Exploration Activities
The proposed early exploration activities are a temporary and transient use of the land that is understood to have low to moderate potential for impact on the land. Where there is potential for an adverse impact, rehabilitation measures are required to be completed before the expiry of the permit as set out in Ontario Regulation 308/12 and the Provincial Standards for Early Exploration Activities.
The proposed early exploration activities typically are conducted at the beginning of the mining sequence. Should the project progress through the mining sequence there is increased involvement of ENDM along with the proponent to ensure the remediation and rehabilitation of the land.
Regarding the existing land use designation in this area, please reference the Ministry of Natural Resources Crown Land Use Policy Atlas Policy Report for F175: Wolf Lake Old Growth Forest Reserve.
The land use intent specifies forest reserves are areas where protection of natural heritage and special landscapes is a priority, but some resource use can take place with appropriate conditions. Policies for forest reserves are similar to the policies for conservation reserves established through the Ontario's Living Legacy Land Use Strategy, except that mineral exploration, mining and related access will be allowed in a forest reserve.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
933 Ramsay Lake Road
Floor B6
Sudbury,
ON
P3E 6B5
Canada
How to Appeal
Appeals are not allowed
This instrument type cannot be appealed. Learn more about our consultation process.
Connect with us
Contact
Brian Laine
933 Ramsay Lake Road
Floor B6
Sudbury,
ON
P3E 6B5
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
Flag Resources Limited has submitted an application to the ministry for an exploration permit as required under the Mining Act for prescribed early exploration activities.
The activities that this permit would allow Flag Resources Limited to carry out are as follows:
- mechanized Drilling (where the drill weight is greater than 150 kilograms)
- mechanized Stripping (greater than 100 square metres in a 200 metres radius)
- pitting and Trenching of Bedrock (greater than 3 cubic metres in a 200-metre radius)
Plan Activities
- mechanized Stripping (less than 100 square metres in a 200 metres radius)
- pitting and Trenching of Bedrock (less than 3 cubic metres in a 200-metre radius)
- line cutting (less than 1.5 metres in width)
The potential disturbance from the activities are described as:
Mechanized Surface Stripping: uses heavy equipment to remove vegetation and soil (overburden) from bedrock. The potential environmental disturbance includes (but are not limited to): use of heavy equipment such as bulldozers, backhoes, excavators or forest harvest equipment, to remove soil from the bedrock, washing the bedrock by pumping water from nearby lakes, rivers or streams, and creation of access trails.
Pitting and Trenching: are conducted to gain a greater visual understanding of the rock. The potential environmental disturbance includes (but is not limited to): the removal of surface soil, exposed rock as well as excavation or blasting of rock leaving shallow holes or trenches that vary in depth and length from the use of heavy equipment.
Drilling: provides rock samples from below the surface. Testing the samples determines the properties of the soil and rocks, including mineral and metal content. Potential environmental disturbances include (but are not limited to): clearing surface terrain for “drill pads” (small areas cleared for drill rigs and/or helicopters), installing casings (hollow steel pipes called the collar), and pumping water from a sump, nearby lakes, rivers or streams.
Proponents are required to follow provincial standards for early exploration to minimize the impacts to public health, safety and the environment from early exploration activities described above. You can find the standards in the Activities Information Sheets or on the Ministry website under Mining Act Policies, Standards and Directives (see links in “Related links” section).
This notice is provided to receive comments that can be considered in the decision-making process prior to the issuance of an exploration permit.
An Exploration Permit does not relieve the proponent from compliance with any other requirements that are set out under the Mining Act or any other Act. All activities included in the Exploration Permit proposal must be carried out in compliance with Ontario Regulation 308/12 and the Provincial Standards for Early Exploration. The Exploration Permit duration will be up to 3 years with the possibility of one renewal for up to three years.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
933 Ramsay Lake Road
Floor B6
Sudbury,
ON
P3E 6B5
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from August 10, 2020
to September 9, 2020
Connect with us
Contact
Brian Laine
933 Ramsay Lake Road
Floor B6
Sudbury,
ON
P3E 6B5
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
490By email
14By mail
0