Project Description
A gold mine project near Rouyn-Noranda in Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Located 15 km west of Rouyn-Noranda's city centre, between the Évain and Arntfield districts, the Wasamac mining project aims to mine a gold deposit underground over a period of at least 10 years, with development potential extending beyond 15 years.
Technical review in progress
Agnico Eagle acquired the Wasamac mining project in March 2023 and is currently carrying out a new technical assessment to propose updating the project to the company's standards. At the time of the acquisition, Agnico Eagle indicated that it was considering the concept of potentially transporting and processing the ore at an existing plant in the region. The review currently underway will also assess this alternative and confirm the potential to reduce both the environmental footprint and the costs of the project. The results of these analyses are expected in the first quarter of 2024.
The environmental assessment and permit application processes will then resume, depending on the option chosen.
According to the baseline scenario presented by Yamana Gold in the updated 2021 feasibility study, the underground mine project would involve:
On the surface:
A process plant located to the north of road 117. Access to the deposit would be via an underground ramp.
Over the past decade, the project has evolved to incorporate mitigation measures into its design in response to neighbourhood concerns:
- The processing plant (with a capacity of around 7,000 tonnes per day) and offices would be confined to a small footprint strategically located behind a wooded hill.
- The processing plant would be designed with a low profile to minimise visual impact as well as noise and dust.
- Fish habitat would be avoided.
- The access road would be from the north via chemin Aldermac. Rang Jacques-Paquin would eventually be closed off.
Tailings and waste rock would be disposed of in the same place in a co-disposal facility, using the drystack method. The process would involve first drying the tailings before storing them in an accumulation area that would gradually be revegetated. This method would reduce the footprint and increase safety.
Underground :
The deposit
- The primary crusher, which previously had to be located on the surface, would be moved underground.
- An underground electric conveyor, fans and crusher for extracting the ore would reduce GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, noise and dust emissions.
- Automation and remote operation would help to make the mine safer, more attractive and accessible to a diverse workforce.
This baseline scenario presented by Yamana Gold in the updated 2021 feasibility study is currently under technical review by Agnico Eagle in order to propose an update of the project to the company's standards.
The Wasamac mining project team has submitted the following commitments for its project:
Check out the articles below to learn more. Click on an article title for a better read.
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Project Evolution
Share Project Evolution on Facebook Share Project Evolution on Twitter Share Project Evolution on Linkedin Email Project Evolution linkThis project is following the regular course of a typical mine. The following image presents the six stages of the project’s life cycle:
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Project History, From 1936 to the Present
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- Discovery of the deposit in 1936 by the Champlain Gold Mine.
- In 1945, a 60-metre shaft (the Wildcat shaft) and an underground level were built.
- Between 1965 and 1971, 1.9 Mt of ore from the Wasamac deposit were processed by Wasamac Mines Ltd., then by Wright-Hargreaves Mines Ltd.
- In May 1971, the mine paused operations due to the low price of gold and an increase in production costs.
- In the 1970s and 1980s, Lac Minerals Ltd. resumed exploration work.
- Following an option agreement with Lac Minerals in 1986, exploration drilling was done by Ressources Minières Rouyn.
- In 1994, Richmont restored the Wasamac mine and did surface exploration work each year from that point on.
- In 2011, Richmont did a preliminary economic assessment of its project, which included a shaft, a headframe, and a plant near private homes in the vicinity.
- Faced with major social acceptability issues, the project was put on hold.
- In 2017, the project was acquired by Monarch Gold. The company conducted a feasibility study in 2018 that yielded a new strategy for the Wasamac project’s development, including two access ramps and main infrastructure positioned north of Route 117.
- In early 2021, Yamana Gold acquired the Wasamac project and began the first phase of its exploration program. After optimization of its feasibility study, the company confirmed its intention to begin operations after obtaining government authorizations.
The Wasamac team has launched a podcast in collaboration with historian Jean-Lou David that stirs up the past to help us understand how the mining industry helped shape Rouyn-Noranda and the surrounding area.
The podcast is only available in french.
Spotify: ttps://bit.ly/3BUnO0G
Québec podcasts: https://bit.ly/422GvKk