Public Notice
Wasamac Gold Mine Project — Public Comments Invited

What is happening?

August 6, 2020 — The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) has accepted an initial project description for the proposed Wasamac Gold Mine Project, located in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, in Quebec.

The Agency invites the public and Indigenous peoples to review the summary of the initial project description and provide feedback related to the proposed project. Comments received will support the Agency in the preparation of a summary of issues, which will list the concerns and issues raised by the public. Once completed, the Agency will provide the summary of issues to the proponent.

The Agency recognizes that it is more challenging to undertake meaningful public engagement and Indigenous consultation in light of the circumstances arising from COVID-19. The Agency continues to assess the situation, make adjustments to consultation activities, and is providing flexibility as needed in order to prioritize the health and safety of all Canadians, while fulfilling its responsibility to conduct meaningful engagement with interested groups.

How can I participate?

Comments can be submitted online by visiting the project home page on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (reference number 80879). All comments received will be published online as part of the project file. For more information on the project, the review process and alternative means of submitting comments, visit the Agency's website at canada.ca/iaac.

Written comments in either official language will be accepted until August 26, 2020.

To view the summary of the initial project description online, visit the Agency's website at canada.ca/iaac. Printed copies are available upon request.

Will there be more opportunities to participate?

This is the first federal comment period for the project. If the Agency determines that a federal impact assessment is required, the public and Indigenous peoples will have additional opportunities to comment over the course of the impact assessment process.

Stay updated by following the Agency on Twitter: @IAAC_AEIC #Wasamac

What is the proposed project?

Monarch Gold Corporation is proposing the construction, operation, decommissioning and abandonment of an underground gold mine located in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, approximately 15 kilometres from downtown Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. As proposed, the Wasamac Gold Mine Project would have a mine life of 11 years and an ore production capacity of 6053 tonnes per day. The project would include the operation of an underground mine, the construction of an ore processing plant and related infrastructures, and the development of underground infrastructures for ore and waste rock transportation as well as waste rock, tailings and overburden accumulation areas. The proponent is considering the possibility for transporting the ore by rail to process it at a plant in Ontario, as an alternative to the construction of a processing plant in Quebec.

For more information on the Agency's privacy policies, consult the Privacy Notice on its website at canada.ca/iaac.