News

This eighth meeting of the Task Force focused on continuing efforts to update the Property Value Maintenance Program. The program will eventually evolve into a co-existence framework agreement of several chapters, to be discussed in 2022. For the moment, the group is focused on real estate transactions for neighbouring property owners who wish to move away from the mining project area. Before discussing the main topic, Marc-André Lavergne, Yamana Gold's Director of Community and External Affairs, gave the group some project updates: a review of the December 1 neighbourhood meeting, a presentation of alternatives being studied for the tailings facility and access roads to the main facilities site, and a presentation of the process of government authorizations for a new phase of advanced underground exploration.

The group then resumed discussion of the main topic. Mr. Lavergne reported that his meeting with Yamana's senior management had been conducted in a manner consistent with the announced vision and that the proposed points had all been agreed to in principle. As a result, the PVMP would be effective retroactively to the date of Yamana's purchase of the Wasamac underground mining project and would apply until the site restoration period. Owners would be entitled to an enhanced amount: in addition to the guaranteed market value, normal relocation expenses could be reimbursed and the process would be simplified. Finally, the applicability area would be expanded (and possibly further still, when anticipated impacts have been mapped and known) to include the central part of that zone for residences at risk of high impacts. Homeowners whose properties are situated within the new area could, in the first few years of the project, receive compensation that is closer to replacement value. The applicability area will be more clearly defined when the project impact assessment has been completed.

The January meeting will also include a presentation by a chartered appraiser of the different methods for appraising market and replacement values (value to the homeowner). A briefing on the various Canadian Malartic Mine co-existence programs will also be given to members in early 2022.

Toward the end of the meeting, talk turned to proposals for the company's long-term contributions to the neighbourhood, based on suggestions made in the questionnaire circulated among members prior to the meeting. Also discussed were recognition of volunteer time, follow-up on citizens’ reports, and follow-up on the minutes of the November meeting.

Summary of December 14th Meeting

Though a different topic had been planned, the seventh Task Force meeting revolved around the update of the Property Value Maintenance Program (PVMP) at the request of members. The PVMP sub-working group members wanted to return to the Task Force for further discussion. More permanent changes were also made to the meeting schedule to allow as much time as possible for discussion.

The meeting began with a request for information, as several people mentioned seeing a helicopter do a series of low passes over the neighbourhood that day. Project superintendent Marcel St-Pierre said that this activity had not been sanctioned by Yamana and that he had no other information on the subject.

The meeting provided an opportunity for group discussion of the PVMP and its history, guiding principles, and objectives, Yamana's commitments and neighbourhood expectations. Several members indicated that they consider this a priority topic and that they want to expedite the process of updating the document. Yamana also took the occasion to more formally share with the group its intention to continue discussions of neighbourhood commitments with the aim of grouping them in a co-existence framework agreement. The PVMP would thus be a chapter within that agreement.

The presentation began with Yamana's philosophy of co-existence and its four components: terminate, mitigate, compensate, contribute. This was followed by a reminder that the current PVMP proposal, which originated with Monarch Gold, addressed just one issue – the sale and acquisition of properties with a guarantee of market value for sellers. Yamana's vision for the PVMP is to improve the document to provide a framework that is transparent and equitable for all.

The sub-group had already convened twice to update the program and had discussed several improvements. Presented to all Task Force members, these included elements regard the implementation and termination of the program, its retroactivity, simplification of the process for homeowners, limitations on Yamana's right of first refusal, an increase in refundable expenses, and proposals regarding monitoring and updating the PVMP. Several members asked that replacement value be considered for a homeowner who wishes to move.

As many of these proposals represent significant changes to the terms, conditions, and objectives of the document, it was agreed that Marc-André Lavergne, Yamana's Director of Community and External Affairs, would bring them to the attention of senior management for further discussion at the next meeting. The group’s members also reiterated their desire to discuss opportunities for Yamana's contributions in the immediate vicinity of the project and emphasized the desire to make this topic a priority. Thus, the December 14 meeting, which had come close to being cancelled, went ahead with the agreement that members would resume these discussions.

Summary of November 23^rd Meeting

This 6^th meeting of the task force was devoted to the topic of vibrations. Two WSP resource people were in attendance for a presentation: Jean-François Poulin, the impact assessment manager, and Pierre Groleau, engineer and blasting expert.

Before that, however, the meeting began with a few words from Marc-André Lavergne, Yamana’s director of Community and External Affairs. He gave the group an update on the opening of the community relations office in Évain and mentioned that a second office would soon open in the city centre to accommodate the environment, engineering and geology project teams. He listed new appointments to the Yamana team and added some detail regarding the recent article in Le Citoyen newspaper on the results of the drilling campaign in the Wildcat zone.

Pierre Groleau's main presentation provided a preliminary overview of blasting operations and the resulting vibrations. Planning such operations in an underground mine must consider the objectives of fragmenting the ore for transport to the crusher and diluting it – that is to say, the ratio of gold recovery to barren ore in the extracted ore – while controlling vibrations. An overview of the mining method planned for the project differentiated upcoming blasting to be done for development purposes (e.g., construction of tunnels) and for production purposes (ore recovery). An explanation of the standards and controls provided for by law (Directive 019 pertaining to the mining industry) and their history showed that while permitted limits were once established to protect human structures from the effects of vibrations, they are now determined with a view to limiting the effects felt in the vicinity; as such, specific standards are in place for an underground mine located less than one kilometre from private homes. Mr. Groleau also explained the leading technologies, explosives and detonators, as well as best practices for blasting, monitoring with vibration measurement equipment, and calibration and continuous improvement of the models used to design that equipment.

Following this presentation, the Yamana team explained the company's blasting tests, which would generate field data to improve the models used to forecast vibrations and impacts. Those models can employ empirical data or be adjusted based on field test results. The blasts are smaller than those done in mining, but the study of their vibration patterns in the ground produces data that allow for more accurate adjustment of the models. A discussion by the task force ensued, reiterating the need for information and advance notice, the desire to first discuss the company's commitments to the community, and the relevance and timeliness of a baseline study of properties in the area. In the end, it was decided that the tests would be postponed in order to continue the preparatory work.

The group also discussed follow-ups on incoming reports from the neighbourhood and previewed upcoming topics for discussion and consultation activities involving both the task force and area residents.

Read the full minutes of the meeting here: https://www.wasamac-consultations.com/20630/widgets/83491/documents/97731

As 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

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

We are pleased to present to you this 7th edition of the newsletter which takes stock of Yamana Gold's first year as owner of the Wasamac underground mining Project. This newsletter, distributed by the Post in the neighborhood, is available in digital version here and in French version on the platform in French.

It is about the participatory development of the environmental impact study. Throughout the year, an ongoing, constructive, and fruitful dialogue has been initiated with the entire neighborhood, the Task Force, stakeholders and the indigenous communities and organizations. You can also find the latest news on the exploration program there.

Finally, you will also find information concerning the hiring of new people within the Yamana team, the call to propose your projects within the framework of the community support policy as well as the announcement of an updated presentation of the Project on www.wasamac-consultations.com

Much work remains to be done. The year 2022 promises to be rich in events and in information and consultation activities. In the meantime, the Yamana team wishes you and your loved ones a Happy New Year.

Enjoy reading !

Some 20 persons attended the third neighbourhood meeting on the Wasamac underground mining project in the Golden Agers room in Évain on December 1, 2021

As we near the end of Yamana Gold’s first year as owner of the Wasamac underground mining project, we look back at our third neighbourhood meeting. It was an opportunity to present our growing team, project improvements suggested in the feasibility study, results to date of the exploration program, the environmental assessment process and alternative solutions being analyzed, as well as consultation activities held throughout the year. During the evening, we also announced that we have begun the process to secure permits for the advanced exploration recommended in the feasibility study.

Following Yamana's presentation in the first half of the meeting, we suggested an interactive workshop on the recreational uses of the local lands. Working in small groups, participants spent about 45 minutes, in a friendly and constructive atmosphere, placing icons on a large map to indicate the sporting and outdoor activities practiced or observed in the area. They also voiced opinions on the five possible sites for the tailings storage facility and on the three options being considered for access to the plant and primary infrastructure.

Back in plenary, each table presented the main areas identified for such activities as climbing, biking, snowmobiling, family outings, hunting and fishing, self-picking sites and birdwatching.

In addition to mapping the areas used for recreational and tourism activities, the discussion highlighted broader issues, such as the project’s potential to increase road traffic on Route 117, the coexistence of uses on rang des Cavaliers, and the safety of families and cyclists in the area. The subject of access to fishing and hunting areas, snowmobile trails, climbing sites and the Kékéko Hills was also raised. Concerns about light pollution affecting astronomical observation were also voiced, along with noise that might interfere with wildlife observation.

We closed the evening with a question-and-answer period addressing issues about noise, preservation of the rural quality of life, and priority solutions to safeguard the drinking water supply for the neighbourhood. Yamana reiterated that it intends to do its utmost to optimize the project with a minimum impact on local residents, that previous commitments will be upheld and that new ones will be discussed in the coming months.

The information gathered will be incorporated into WSP's impact assessment and will also be valuable to Yamana Gold in the evaluation of the proposed project infrastructure and access road locations.

A detailed report of this productive evening will also be published soon.

For those interested in viewing the contributions made during this meeting or who were unable to attend the event, you will have a chance to make your views known online in a few days. Your feedback is important. You are the experts on your community, and citizen input is essential to designing an optimal project. The exercise is also an occasion to identify opportunities to protect, support and enhance the neighbourhood’s attractions and the lifestyles of its residents.

Yamana Gold last wednesday issued a press release to investors, providing updates on various work and projects underway as well as an important announcement on the Wasamac underground mining project. With the release, Yamana confirms its intention to proceed with the feasibility study’s recommendation to move forward with the implementation of an advanced exploration program. As such, all necessary permit processes will be initiated to obtain authorizations for the construction of two ramps to access the deposit from the north of Route 117 to allow for bulk sampling and to pursue other exploration opportunities from underground. According to the current schedule, the process of developing advanced exploration scenarios and authorization requests leads us to anticipate a positive decision from the government at the earliest the start of winter 2023.

If approved, the new exploration phase would enable us to:

• Validate the mining and production plan by ensuring the grade, recovery, and geotechnical aspects of the project
• Seize opportunities to optimize process performance: preliminary results of optimization studies indicate the potential to improve average gold recovery by 3% and up to 5.5% in certain areas
• Confirm the stability parameters of sites, backfill strategy and the operating sequence to secure a safe, stable working environment
• Establish underground drilling platforms to conduct boundary and exploration drilling while minimizing surface activities.

Preliminary analysis of the recommendation, conducted since the summer, led us to consider new hypotheses for the advanced exploration work. As such, we hired external consultants to recommend technically viable and safe scenarios to recover a bulk sample without stripping the galleries of the old Wasamac mine.

The process of obtaining specific government permits (Energy and Natural Resources for sampling, Environment for construction of exploration infrastructures) would be done alongside the environmental impact assessment currently underway and with a timeline of 13 to 16 months. Our commitments to the neighbourhood would also be included in the requests for advanced exploration.

Furthermore, the Task Force, which is composed primarily of area residents, is currently working on a voluntary acquisition program and will soon begin work on an infrastructure and property integrity protection program.

To read the full press release: https://www.yamana.com/English/investors/news/news-details/2021/Yamana-Gold-Announces-the-Discovery-of-New-Mineralized-Zones-at-Wasamac-and-Provides-an-Update-on-Its-Growth-Projects/default.aspx

This fifth meeting of the Task Force was the first of a series of meetings on different subjects within the framework of the environmental assessment study. The group’s choice of first topic was unequivocal: water, which has long been a concern and a frequently mentioned priority for the neighbourhood. The purpose of the meeting was therefore to draw a portrait of the concerns collected to date, gauge the group’s interest in tackling this subject in greater depth, and collect, study, and reflect on new concerns or avenues of discussion that would advance the thinking on this subject. The meeting was also an opportunity to present progress reports on the exploration program, the environmental assessment study and, more specifically, the previous meeting’s discussion of the report on the characterization of residential wells.

Next, prefacing the discussions, a presentation of terminology and key concepts around the topic of water was done by Martin Duclos, Yamana Gold’s Director of Health, Environment and Permits. Also presented were summaries of previous hydrogeological studies, an overview of the monitoring done of the mining operations, and environmental follow-ups carried out by the provincial and federal governments. The discussion was then structured around the list of citizens’ concerns, which were compiled at coffee meetings held by Richmont Mines and Monarch Gold; the consultations held by the Canadian Impact Assessment Agency; and the document listing neighbours’ concerns presented during the recent site tours. The objectives of the discussion were to clarify the list of fears and concerns, validate the level of popularization of the contents, highlight the issues and opportunities for the Task Force and, finally, identify the need for future activities with the entire neighbourhood on the subject.

Lastly, the meeting provided an opportunity to follow up on the monthly reports, plan the next meetings, and present the approach of the sub-group that will soon begin updating and improving the Property Value Maintenance Program (PMVP) and the Commitment Project related to the potential impacts of the advanced exploration program (Richmont Mine).

Read the detailed report

On September 30, a group of mining technology students from the Cégep de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue visited the Wasamac underground mining project site together with some Yamana staff and the firm responsible for the field work (WSP) as part of the environmental impact study which is currently underway.

During this visit, the group was able, among other things, to observe the installation of wells, geotechnical drilling, the taking of groundwater samples and other components of the environmental impact study.

The purpose of this exercise was to bridge the gap between the practical fieldwork and the theoretical knowledge of the students acquired during their "Groundwater dynamics" course in which they are enrolled. They will also have to produce a report on the learning achieved during their visit.

he Yamana Gold team thanks the students and their teacher for taking part in this process and wishes them success in their pursuit of their studies in the field of mining!