BAPE hearings in Malartic: THE QUÉBEC MINING ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS CANADIAN MALARTIC'S MINE EXTENSION PROJECT
12/07/2016
Québec City, July 12, 2016 – The Québec Mining Association (QMA) has taken advantage of the hearings held by Québec's environmental hearings bureau (Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement, or BAPE) to reiterate its support for the extension of the Malartic mine by the Canadian Malartic Partnership. Its position is based on the company's past achievements and commitments made to respect the host community, people and the environment, and on the significant economic benefits generated by the mine's activities.
"The BAPE can rely on the undertakings made by the company, since its actions in the past demonstrate its goal of conducting its activities in a way that ensures harmony with public concerns, and of making the necessary changes when required. The mine extension project will not change this long-standing company culture. It is true that not everything ran smoothly in the early stages, but the company was able to correct the situations that were causing problems or dissatisfaction, and has implemented corrective measures that, today, are effective and showing the way for other mining companies," says Josée Méthot, the QMA's President and CEO.
According to the QMA, when it looks at the way in which the Canadian Malartic Mine has been developed and is currently operated, it is clearly unique. It has faced many situations for the first time ever in the history of mining in Québec: an urban location, the creation of a monitoring committee, the displacement of houses, the establishment of innovative measures to mitigate impacts and other customized measures.
The Canadian Malartic Mine has changed Malartic for the better and the municipality, whose economy had been struggling for several years, has regained its vigour. Modern infrastructures have been built and public spaces have been created. "The innovative nature of Québec's mining industry is recognized worldwide. It has been able to find new approaches and has become a source of pride for all Quebecers. This is certainly the case for the Canadian Malartic Mine, which has been able to adapt and meet new challenges in order to become a major, credible industrial force in Québec, and which is also a contributor to socio-economic prosperity in Malartic, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region and Québec as a whole. This is why the Québec Mining Association supports its mine extension project," Ms. Méthot concludes.
About the Québec Mining Association
The Québec Mining Association (QMA) was founded in 1936 and speaks proactively for mining companies involved in exploration, extraction and processing, mining contractors and junior mining companies, along with suppliers, institutions, non-profit organizations and other mining sector partners. It is proud of the 45,000 high-quality jobs and $2.3 billion in investment generated by Québec’s mining industry over the last year. The QMA’s mission is to promote, support and proactively develop a responsible, committed and innovative mining industry in Québec.