Report on the Task Force Meeting of January 26, 2022

The purpose of this ninth meeting of the Task Force was to continue to develop an updated version of the Property Value Maintenance Program (PVMP) and see to its integration into a broader agreement aimed at harmonious coexistence with the neighbourhood. At the previous meeting, Yamana had agreed to add additional terms to the PVMP in order to provide a framework for the voluntary acquisition, at replacement value, of properties located in the area identified by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as potentially subject to significant anticipated impacts. Certified appraisers were on hand to describe the methods for assessing value, also known as owner's value, as well as the circumstances in which it usually applies. As this value is generally used in expropriation situations, several adaptations will be required to transpose its useful aspects into a program of acquisition by mutual agreement based on homeowners’ freedom of choice and without the objective of acquisition of all of the target properties. The appraisers will be helpful resources when the Task Force finalizes the updated PVMP+ proposal.

In a preamble to the meeting, Yamana shared news and project updates with the group:

• Renovations to the community relations office will be finished soon, though the team will continue to telework as long as health restrictions are in force.
• After that, it will be possible to make an appointment at the community relations office with Geneviève Thériault, newly hired as coordinator of communications and community relations on the team with Marc-André Lavergne.
• We have hired several new people recently and more hires are to come.
• A new timetable was presented for the environmental assessment currently underway in order to continue optimizing the project and studying alternative solutions. Yamana plans to table it by the year’s end.
• Online consultations on public uses of the land continue until the end of February at wasamac-consultations.com.

Next up was a presentation of the annual review exercise, which is meant to evaluate satisfaction with the Task Force’s accomplishments over the last year and with the facilitation work. Answers to this questionnaire will also be used to develop a work plan for 2022. The meeting closed with a brief look at incoming reports; only one such was made and quickly resolved since the last meeting.