Kirk Mine Rehabilitation Project

The Kirk Mine Site (AMIS # 07769) is a former copper and gold mine that operated from 1919 to 1922. It features a waste rock pile and three adits developed along a large vertical rock face.

The objective of the project is to rehabilitate the mine hazards at the Kirk Mine to eliminate the risk to the public and the environment. Although the mine features three vertical adits, only the lower adit is easily accessible and presents a safety concern to the public. The middle and upper adit have limited to no access and have been identified as low risk. Waste rock was cast downhill from the lower adit creating a waste rock pile that covers naturally eroded rock along the eastern face. The waste rock pile is currently stable, with no evidence of impacts to the surrounding environment.

The proposed rehabilitation activities will address the lower adit that allows access to the underground workings and is easily accessible by the public. The adit is accessed by a private driveway off of Bass Lake Road. No site access improvements will be needed to facilitate the rehabilitation work. It is assumed that the underground workings provide habitat to bat species at risk and, as such the preferred rehabilitation strategy is the installation of a stainless-steel gate. The gate will eliminate safety concerns related to access by the public, while still allowing bats to easily enter and exit the underground workings. The work is expected to occur over five days, during the summer months when bats are not expected to be actively hibernating within the mine. The boundary of the project area is defined by the site access road and area west of the lower adit

Public consultation: You are invited to provide input and express any concerns about this proposed project. Comments must be received by June 17, 2023.

For more information or to submit comments please contact:

Michaela Haring, Environmental Planner
Ministry of Mines
Telephone: 1-249-885-3631
Email: Michaela.Haring2@ontario.ca

Please note that personal information provided in a submission (such as name, address, and telephone number) and your views and opinions are being collected by the ministry under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act for the purpose of engaging in public consultation and making decisions regarding the project. The personal information may also be shared with the Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. The collection, use, and disclosure of this information are all governed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Questions about the collection of this information should be directed to the person listed above.

Applicant:

Ministry of Mines
933 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 6B5

Location Details: Aberdeen Township, Algoma District

Site Location Description: The project activities are located approximately 40 km east of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in Aberdeen Township, Algoma District