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Detour Lake Gold Mine Project - Detour River, Karel Creek, Cochrane District. (Archived)

Sagimeo Lake (ON)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Environmental Assessment Report
Minister's Environmental Assessment Decision Statement
Final Decision
Follow-up Program

Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 10-03-52262
Fisheries and Oceans Canada: 08‑HCAA‑CA4‑04018

Environmental Assessment Type

Comprehensive study

Other Assessment Process

Government of Ontario

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Natural Resources Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On January 4, 2010, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Natural Resources Canada considered taking action in relation to paragraph 7(1)(a) of the Explosives Act and Fisheries and Oceans Canada considered taking action in relation to paragraphs 36(5)(a) to (e), where the regulation made pursuant to those paragraphs contains a provision that limits the application of the regulation to a named site of the Fisheries Act, to section 32 of the Fisheries Act and to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

On July 12, 2010, a series of amendments to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act came into force. As part of these amendments, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is playing an enhanced role in the environmental assessment of this project as it will perform the duties and functions of the responsible authority in relation to this project until the submission of the comprehensive study report to the Minister of the Environment.

As part of its new role, the Agency has posted a notice on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry inviting the public to comment on the project and the conduct of the comprehensive study.

Detour Gold Corporation proposes to develop an open-pit gold mine on a previously mined (brown field) site located approximately 185 km northeast of the Town of Cochrane, Ontario. The proposal includes; an open pit mine, ore processing plant, tailings and waste rock storage facilities, site access roads, airstrip, power transmission lines, explosives factory and magazines, water management facilities, buildings, ancillary mine infrastructure and associated activities. The proposed mine is based on a production capacity of approximately 55,000 tonnes per day (tpd) with an anticipated mine life of approximately 12 years.

The preliminary scope of project for the purposes of the federal environmental assessment includes the physical works and activities associated with the construction, operation, modification and decommissioning/abandonment of the entire project as proposed by the proponent as described above.

The Government of Ontario's environmental assessment will be limited to certain components of the project.

Environmental Assessment Report

Comprehensive Study Report

Minister's Environmental Assessment Decision Statement

Environmental Assessment Decision Statement

Final Decision

A decision was taken on January 12, 2012 and was that the authorities may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the comprehensive study report and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, the authorities are of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Follow-up Program

It was determined that a follow-up program to verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment and/or determine the effectiveness of any measures taken to mitigate the adverse environmental effects is required for this project. For further information or to obtain a copy of the follow-up program, please contact Natural Resources Canada.