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:
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