Agnico Eagle Mines Limited - Mineral exploration permit

The proponent 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 the proponent to carry out are as follows:

• mechanized drilling (where the drill weight is greater than 150 kilograms)

Plan activities

• line cutting (less than 1.5 metres in width)
• geophysical survey requiring generator type

The potential disturbance from the activities are described as:

Mechanized 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.

Line Cutting (less than 1.5 metres in width): the activity consists of line-cutting, using hand tools only. Potential environmental disturbances include clearing out the underbrush. In line cutting where there is ground cover present, potential environmental disturbances include clearing the brush and vegetation. In light underbrush there is likely little or no brushing. This is a one-time exercise and unless the underbrush is continually cleared, it will typically regenerate within the same or next growing season.

Geophysical Survey Requiring Generator Type: the activity consists of line-cutting, using hand tools only. Potential disturbances include clearing out underbrush to establish a grid in order to temporarily lay wire lines used to record geophysical measurements. In light underbrush there is likely little or no brushing. This is a one-time exercise and unless the underbrush is continually cleared, it will typically regenerate within the same or next growing season.

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 renewal.