Category Environmental Assessment Show all
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Collection of samples from the bottom of Lake Helene - early 2023
Share Collection of samples from the bottom of Lake Helene - early 2023 on Facebook Share Collection of samples from the bottom of Lake Helene - early 2023 on Twitter Share Collection of samples from the bottom of Lake Helene - early 2023 on Linkedin Email Collection of samples from the bottom of Lake Helene - early 2023 linkA collection of samples to characterize the sediments at the bottom of Lake Hélène will take place in early 2023. This collection was initially planned for last winter but was postponed due to unfavourable safety conditions related to the weather.
During the work, a maximum of eight cores will be collected at four different stations, no more than two cores per station, using a vibrating corer located directly on an elevated ice trail that will be built starting December 14 2022. The weather will determine the exact dates of the exercise.
Residents of the Évain sector have shared with us that they have observed a fluctuation in the level of Lake Hélène in the past. The team from WSP, the firm responsible for carrying out the work, will review the existing data on the hydrology of the lake and will complete the data already compiled by taking water and sediment samples. A hydrological assessment of Lake Hélène will be carried out, establishing the current context as well as predictive simulations to verify the potential impacts of the future mine on the lake's water level, an issue raised by members of the neighbourhood. At this time, the potential impacts are estimated to be very low.
This exercise will not result in any disturbance to the natural environment or to lake residents. The work will take place during the day and will be supervised by our Project Superintendent. Access to the lake will be via lots located on the north and east shores of the lake.
If you have any questions regarding this work, please do not hesitate to contact us at 1 833 510-0330 or by email: wasamac-eng.agnicoeagle.com/contact-us
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Last phase of project optimization before the environmental impact assessment is filed: the Wasamac team is ready to hear the community's proposals
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At our last neighbourhood meeting on November 16, a range of topics were discussed, including air, vibration, noise, water and traffic management, and land use planning. The topics were presented by 14 members of the Wasamac underground mining project team. The meeting was intended to be an opportunity for discussion, sharing and gathering comments, suggestions and questions in order to optimize the project before the impact assessment is filed. Virtual reality was used so that residents in attendance could see the project's progress. We were fortunate to be joined by about 30 people from the neighbourhood and community.
In setting up these meetings, our aim is to reiterate the importance of forging close relationships through accessible consultations with an emphasis on openness, responsiveness and discussion.
The minutes of the meeting is available here (in french only): https://www.wasamac-consultations.com/27423/widgets/111131/documents/97910
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our community relations team.
By phone: 1 833 510-0330
By SMS: 833-510-0330
By email: wasamac@yamana.com
At the Community Relations Office, 14 rue d'Évain, Rouyn-Noranda, J0Z 1Y0
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Upcoming works
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The Yamana Gold team and its partners will be carrying out various works in November and December.
As usual, the crews are taking every possible measure to minimize disruptive impacts on the neighbourhood.
Access road construction
Construction of the access road to the site from chemin Aldermac is underway.
Power line
The dismantling of the 25KV power line on rang des Cavaliers should begin the week of November 2. Originally intended to serve the old Richmont project, the line was never used and will be repurposed for the Wasamac underground mining project.
Increase in truck traffic near the Francoeur site
We should be seeing a slight increase in truck traffic near the Francoeur site in December. We estimate some 10 trucks per hour, between 7:00 AM and 5:30 PM, using avenue Provencher from chemin Aldermac, in connection with construction of the access road to the planned industrial site. The company in charge of building the access road is Agrégat R-N.
The Wasamac underground mining project team will provide regular updates to residents in the vicinity of the work and will be available at all times to answer any questions.
By phone: 1 833 510-0330
By SMS: 833-510-0330
By email: wasamac@yamana.com
At the community relations office: 14 rue d'Évain, Rouyn-Noranda, J0Z 1Y0
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2021-2022 progress report – relations with Indigenous communities and organizations as part of the impact study
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Glenn Polson, Coopérative PikoganSince the launch of the impact study for the Wasamac underground mining project in March 2021, numerous communications and exchanges have taken place with the Indigenous communities and organizations interested in taking part in the assessment of the project's impacts.
Throughout the discussions, it was possible to identify various issues relating to the Wasamac project and its review, as defined and expressed by Indigenous communities and organizations. These comments, questions and suggestions contributed to the process of optimization and continuous improvement of the project, in order to prevent or limit the impacts on the environment. The entire Yamana Gold team as well as the firms involved in relations with the community and the carrying out of the impact study would like to thank the teams from the Indigenous communities and organizations for their time and their contribution to improving the project and for the collaborative process.
We invite you to consult this 2021-2022 progress report to see the efforts undertaken as well as the concrete impact of the contributions received at the level of the project and its review.
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Socioeconomic Issues: An Initial Progress Report
Share Socioeconomic Issues: An Initial Progress Report on Facebook Share Socioeconomic Issues: An Initial Progress Report on Twitter Share Socioeconomic Issues: An Initial Progress Report on Linkedin Email Socioeconomic Issues: An Initial Progress Report linkSince 2021, 18 organizations in the socio-community, economic, education and health sectors have contributed to the development of the environmental and social impact assessment. Their input has helped us to better identify the main issues, expectations and concerns of the community so as to adapt the Wasamac underground mining project accordingly to the greatest possible extent.
Housing shortage, labour shortages, increasingly limited access to healthcare, education, services for seniors and vulnerable groups, and childcare availability are the main issues currently facing the organizations operating in the field. Income disparities, particularly between men and women, also emerged from our consultations.
To provide feedback to socioeconomic organizations with which we have engaged in dialogue, our team will seek their cooperation again in the fall of 2022 and winter of 2023. These talks will be an opportunity to further explore the challenges of project implementation ahead and to discuss mitigation measures that could address them. All salient points of the process to date are contained in the downloadable document, here.
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Planned work on Lac Hélène postponed to spring
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The collection of samples aimed at characterizing the sediments planned for the end of February on Lac Hélène as part of the environmental impact study is postponed to springtime, after the melting of the ice on the lake.
Adverse weather conditions did not allow the exercise to be carried out safely, so we decided to postpone it.
As a reminder, the WSP team, the firm responsible for carrying out the environmental impact study, will review existing data on the lake's hydrology by taking surface water samples. They will also conduct a hydrological assessment to establish current conditions as well as predictive simulations to ascertain the potential impacts of the future mine on the lake's water level – a point raised by area residents. At this time, the potential impacts are estimated to be minimal.
This exercise should not create a disturbance in the natural environment or for people living near the lake.
Area residents will be notified once the new dates for the work are known.
Should you have any questions regarding this work, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone at 1 833 510-0330 or via E-mail: wasamac@yamana.com
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Sample Collection on Lac Hélène, February 28 to March 3
Share Sample Collection on Lac Hélène, February 28 to March 3 on Facebook Share Sample Collection on Lac Hélène, February 28 to March 3 on Twitter Share Sample Collection on Lac Hélène, February 28 to March 3 on Linkedin Email Sample Collection on Lac Hélène, February 28 to March 3 linkAs part of the environmental impact assessment, samples aimed at analyzing lake sediments will be taken on Lac Hélène between February 28 and March 3.
The work will involve taking a maximum of eight samples from four different stations – no more than two samples per station – using a vibracorer placed directly on the lake ice.
Figure 1 shows the location of the proposed stations. In the event of a problem, such as inadequate ice conditions at a particular location, the station could be relocated nearby.
Residents of the Évain sector told us that they observed a fluctuation in the water level of Lac Hélène in the past. The crew from WSP, which will carry out the work, will review existing data on the lake's hydrology by taking surface water samples. They will also conduct a hydrological assessment to establish current conditions as well as predictive simulations to ascertain the potential impacts of the future mine on the lake's water level – a point raised by area residents. At this time, the potential impacts are estimated to be minimal.
This exercise should not create a disturbance in the natural environment or for people living near the lake. The work will take place during the day, supervised by our project superintendent. Access to the lake will be by snowmobile via public land on the north shore of the lake.
Should you have any questions regarding this work, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone at 1 833 510-0330 or via E-mail: wasamac@yamana.com
