Summary of the Task Force Meeting of November 23, 2022

The Wasamac Task Force held its 17^th meeting last November 23 at the Évain Golden Age club. The purpose of the meeting was to get project updates, view a presentation by the city’s parks and facilities manager, hold a group discussion to further define the community project at Chemin du lac Hélène park, look at the group’s meeting schedule for 2023, and, as they do each month, look at reports from area residents.

The group started with a review of the neighbourhood meeting of November 16, 2022. Close to 30 people attended during either of two time slots (afternoon and evening). The event was divided into four workshops on different subjects, facilitated by members of the Yamana team.

Next came updates on the project and Yamana’s field activities. The group was informed that the decision regarding Agnico-Eagle’s acquisition of Yamana Gold will be made this winter. The results of exploration work done in 2022 were presented; they revealed that the project’s ore reserves increased by 14%. A follow-up on residential inspections followed, mentioning that 9 out 10 inspections were done on homes involved in Phase 1. The Task Force members were also informed that a news item had been posted to the online platform concerning upcoming advanced exploration work and work in progress. This news was also shared with the neighbourhood.

A follow-up of community activities came next, highlighting the resounding success (700 children attended!) of the Hallowe’en event at the community relations office. Upcoming events were discussed. Ms. Tétreault read the 2022 report on the community support program. She went on to say that the consultation exercise suggested at the neighbourhood meeting will be adapted and put online soon to allow wider participation.

The meeting continued with a presentation by Olivier Thibodeau, responsible for parks and facilities at the City of Rouyn-Noranda. He presented a variety of information to consider for the park’s development as well as possible equipment for the Chemin du lac Hélène park project. The group members then offered up their ideas and visions for the park. Yamana's community relations team will continue its consultation work with the Lac Hélène park neighbourhood to get different points of view on the topics discussed with the City's parks manager. Regular follow-ups will be presented to the Task Force over the next few months with a view to implementing the park project this spring.

The schedule of 2023 meetings was drawn up. There will be no meeting in July or December, and the dates of the two neighbourhood meetings are still to be determined.

To read the complete minutes of the meeting (french only): https://wasamac-eng.agnicoeagle.com/20630/widgets/83491/documents/97733