The ongoing optimization of the Wasamac underground mining project, one year after its acquisition by Yamana Gold

As the year begins, we are pleased to share an update on the project. One year after its acquisition by Yamana Gold, the Wasamac underground mining project continues to be optimized and the regional team is growing. Following a busy year of hiring in 2021, our team will have four new resources in January, for a total of 15 people. Two additional positions are also posted in the Careers section of our website, and we plan to continue this momentum to support project development.

In terms of community relations, the dialogue with the communities continues despite the year-end tightening of COVID-related health measures announced by the government. The official opening of our community relations office, located at 14 rue d'Évain in Rouyn-Noranda, is planned for this winter. We will extend an invitation to the public at that time and look forward to welcoming you in person when the health situation permits and when the current renovation work is complete. Until then, our team can be reached at any time by phone at 1 833 510-0330 or by email at wasamac@yamana.com.

The year starts with the posting of an explanatory video. We invite you to watch it to learn more about the various components of the project, which has reached the advanced exploration stage and the assessment of its environmental and social impacts. The consultation platform has been completely revamped: new Neighbourhood and Indigenous Communities and Organizations pages have been added to the Community Relations section, and the project description has been updated.

The video highlights our commitment to combining team member safety, operational productivity, and environmental protection through efficient operations management using innovative technologies. It provides detailed information on the planned infrastructure, the technologies to be used and the steps to be taken between now and the commissioning of the processing facility and the commercial production of gold scheduled for 2026-2027.

We expect the completion of most of the work for the submission of the Environmental Impact Assessment in the first half of the year, and the filing of the Assessment by the end of 2022.

The upcoming months give us a significant window of opportunity to broaden and enrich the contributions of area residents and Indigenous communities to the environmental impact assessment, as is called for by the new federal Impact Assessment Act, which prescribes increased participation by communities. Our team and experts will also be working on further technical, health, safety and environmental performance improvements to the project. For example: a new scenario for dewatered tailings disposal at the abandoned Aldermac mine site is being studied to validate its viability and environmental footprint. This site was brought to our attention by area residents and Indigenous communities as an interesting alternative that could minimize the impacts on the lands.

We continue the works to characterize and optimize the project with the contribution of the public, Indigenous communities, and experts towards the goal of building a modern underground mine.

We also wish to inform you that it is still possible to participate online in the citizen land use consultation process. This participatory exercise, which began at the December 1st neighbourhood meeting, is being held to gather information about the activities practiced in the vicinity of the proposed mine site. The minutes of that neighbourhood meeting are posted here.

Happy reading, and best wishes for the New Year!

The Yamana Gold Québec team