BAPE report on the extension of the Canadian Malartic Mine : CANADIAN MALARTIC HAS ALREADY MADE A COMMITMENT TO MEET THE BAPE'S REQUIREMENTS, IN THE VIEW OF THE QUÉBEC MINING ASSOCIATION
13/10/2016
Québec City, October 13, 2016 – The Québec Mining Association (QMA) takes an optimistic view of the report filed by Québec's environmental hearings board (Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement, BAPE), concerning the proposal to extend the Canadian Malartic mine. It hopes that David Heurtel, the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, will appreciate all the actions already taken by the company to meet the requirements defined by the BAPE and will authorize the project, expected to have a major impact on the development of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region and of Québec as a whole.
The QMA will take all the time needed to analyze the report in more detail, but it notes from the outset that the BAPE considers that the project is acceptable if the company makes a commitment to the population and the environment. This is exactly what the company is already doing.
"Canadian Malartic is a perfect example of a mining company that has renewed its approach in order to adapt to the requirements of sustainable development. Since the BAPE's examination concerned an existing mine site, physical evidence was available to show that the Canadian Malartic Partnership has not just talked about, but has actually implemented consultation and discussion mechanisms, and applied operating methods that respond to the BAPE's concerns. It is true that not everything worked out perfectly in the first stages, but the company has been able to remedy the situations that were causing problems or dissatisfaction, and has implemented corrective measures which are now proving effective. The BAPE seemed to focus mainly on the past, but it is also essential to look at the present, which points to success in the future," stated Josée Méthot, the QMA's president and CEO.
The BAPE recommends, in particular, that credible actions be taken to manage noise and dust. The QMA points out that Canadian Malartic has already taken steps in this direction, and is the first mining company in Québec to monitor noise and dust levels on a continuous basis using measurement stations. Concerned about maintaining the quality of life of Malartic's citizens, the Canadian Malartic Partnership has relocated, and even halted, activities if the noise or dust level threatens to disturb the population. "This illustrates, once again, that the Canadian Malartic Partnership has taken direct action to ensure that its activities have a minimum impact on the population. The measures implemented appear to be effective, since no notice of non-compliance concerning air quality has been issued over the last year," Ms. Méthot continued.
Canadian Malartic has been able to adapt and meet new challenges in order to become a major and credible industrial force in Québec, and contributes to the socio-economic prosperity of the town of Malartic, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region and Québec. This is why the Québec Mining Association reiterates its support for the extension project and hopes that the Québec government will issue the necessary authorizations.
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 total expenditure of almost $6 billion generated in Québec. The QMA’s mission is to promote, support and proactively develop a responsible, committed and innovative mining industry in Québec.