News

Following Agnico Eagle Mining's offer to acquire Yamana Gold, the process is nearing completion. According to the latest press release issued by Agnico Eagle, "The pending acquisition of the Canadian assets of Yamana Gold (Yamana Transaction) is expected to close in March 2023, subject to regulatory approvals."

Through this process, Agnico Eagle Mining will own 100% of the Canadian Malartic mine, 100% of the Wasamac underground mining project and several other properties in Canada. The company is no stranger to Abitibi-Témiscamingue where it has been operating for over 50 years.

You can consult the official press release in English on this link :

https://s21.q4cdn.com/374334112/files/doc_news/news_documents/2023/2022-Q4_AEM-Results-2023.02.16-FINAL.pdf

The statements in the press release regarding the Wasamac project are as follows: in 2023, Agnico Eagle plans to analyze the technical work carried out to date, to further evaluate the exploration potential and to evaluate the concept of processing Wasamac ore at the Canadian Malartic mine plant. This concept would have the potential to reduce the project's footprint on the land and the environment, and would also reduce capital costs. The technical evaluation of Wasamac should be completed by the end of 2023. The permitting schedule for the project will be reassessed in this process. As these assessments progress, we will follow up through our usual communication channels and at upcoming public meetings. At this time, there is no new field work planned and the announced bulk sampling of the deposit may be delayed.

The Community Relations office remains open as usual and the Community Relations team remains available to answer your questions, comments or concerns. You can reach us by email at wasamac@yamana.com, by phone at 1-833-510-0330 or at our community relations office at 14 rue d'Évain.

The Wasamac underground mining project team is proud to present the annual review of the community support program.

https://www.wasamac-consultations.com/27418/widgets/135046/documents/98121

We aim to make a positive impact on local communities through long-term economic development, the environment, education, culture, health care, healthy lifestyle and overall community building in a variety of areas.

Interested in learning about our program and seeing if you qualify?

For more information, visit the

https://www.wasamac-consultations.com/policies-and-community-support-program

... or drop by our community relations office at 14 Rue d'Évain

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

A 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

The Wasamac underground mining project team invites you to a Hot Chocolate Happy Hour on Thursday, December 15, at the community relations office at 14 rue d'Évain.

Pleasant surprises are a good way to start the holiday season. For the occasion, we’ll have a hot chocolate bar, virtual reality, and music to add a festive ambience!

Come with friends, family or on your own and share your ideas, suggestions, and comments with us or just a relaxed chat.

Everyone is welcome!

Until then, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We look forward to seeing you!

At the 16^th meeting of the Wasamac Task Force, the members and resource persons agreed on an agenda that included several topics. Along with the usual updates and follow-ups, a member suggested a discussion on compensation for encroachment or destruction of wetlands. This was prompted by an article questioning the effectiveness of the government's compensation program in recreating wetlands. Martin Duclos, Yamana Gold's director of Health, Safety, Environment and Permits, explained that two types of compensation are available: financial and project-based. He said that the Yamana team is interested in compensation via project – as many local ones as possible – for mining project authorizations. Thus, the discussion was opened to consider projects that the government might deem valid. The group showed an interest in pursuing the topic further in the future and in seeking ideas for projects from the community.

The meeting moved on to project updates, exploration work and prep work relating to advanced exploration. The group also touched on home inspections and upcoming inspections of residential wells identified by the hydrogeological bulk sampling study. A review of several community relations activities and a preview of the next neighbourhood meeting concluded that portion of the discussion.

Next came the results of the satisfaction surveys completed by homeowners who had volunteered to participate in the home evaluation pilot project held as part of the PROPRIO-CHOIX Program consultations. The exercise revealed several areas for improvement and Yamana indicated that the program would be adjusted accordingly. Because the program roll-out also implied a revision of the geographical range of application based on the results of impact assessment (which has been delayed), implementation has been postponed. Yamana is nonetheless committed to acquiring, as planned, the homes of residents who want to move away and who expected to be able to do so as of January 2023. The Task Force’s discussions showed that there is general agreement on assisting neighbourhood homeowners who wish to relocate away from a mine operation and that the approach should be equitable and transparent.

Lastly, the group did a quick check for incoming reports, but as no new reports had been received since the last meeting, only ongoing follow-up was discussed.

To read the detailed report of the meeting: https://www.wasamac-consultations.com/20630/widgets/83491/documents/94511

The Wasamac Task Force held its 15^th meeting on September 28, 2022 at the Club de l’Âge d’Or d’Évain. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an update on the project, the advanced exploration phase, and the community consultation process, and to hear the progress report on the environmental impact assessment (EIA). As the group does each month, they also examined incoming reports from area residents.

The group welcomed new faces: Audrey Boucher, new resident on rang des Cavaliers, taking an alternate’s seat for that sector; and Chantal Vallières, a new community relations officer for Yamana. Jean-François Poulin, director of the environmental impact assessment being conducted by WSP, was also in attendance.

The meeting began with some follow-ups and updates, notably concerning community relations activities, consultations with stakeholders and interested parties, and residential inspections that have been carried out on some 10 properties. Additional information was then presented in a follow-up to the company’s applications for advanced exploration. Martin Duclos, director of Health, Safety, Environment and Permits and Marc-André Lavergne, general manager, regional and Wasamac of Yamana Gold, presented the preliminary intentions for the temporary surface infrastructure site and the tailings facility. Discussions and presentations were focused on water management, tailings disposal, hydrogeological impacts, wetland compensation and access and trucking routes. A schedule of next steps and work up to summer 2023 was also included in the minutes.

Also on the agenda was a progress report on the environmental impact assessment (EIA). First, Martin Duclos explained the decisions and contextual elements that led to delays in the production of the various studies, in particular: relocation of the preferred site for the tailings facility to Aldemac; evaluation of the project based on the assumption of a daily tonnage of 9,000 tonnes; optimization of the engineering; and issues around being the first mining project subject to new federal impact assessment legislation. Jean-François Poulin then reviewed the steps taken thus far, the work in progress, and future deliverables. The consultation and coordination process to determine and improve the project's different mitigation measures will proceed after the initial filing of the EIA during the question-and-answer period with the various government agencies.

To read the detailed report of the meeting:https://www.wasamac-consultations.com/20630/widgets/83491/documents/93095

The 14^th meeting of the Wasamac task force was held on September 14, 2022. The meeting had originally been convened so that members could attend the vibration modelling tests. But a blasting test done a good distance from the residential area, in preparation for the actual tests, was inconclusive from the standpoints of effectiveness and safety (more details here)

In the end, the meeting turned into a BBQ on the site of the future primary surface facilities of the Wasamac underground mining project. The change in plans was explained to the group, which was nonetheless able to watch a driller in action on the Wildcat site. Manon Garant, Exploration Superintendent, and Martin Duclos, Director of Health & Safety, Environment, and Permits, along with the RJLL drill operators, were on hand to field questions.

Kiosks were set up to present the results of community project discussions at the neighbourhood meeting of June 14, 2022. During that meeting, a consensus was reached on two main ideas: upgrading the park on chemin du lac Hélène and protecting and enhancing lac Hélène.

A video summary of the meeting was posted on the Wasamac Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/100084910354710/videos/464949868903715

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

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