Côté Gold mine: authorized tailings areas

Summary#

The final rule Regulations Amending the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations: SOR/2020-132 adds ten water bodies near Gogama, Ontario, to Schedule 2 of the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations. That listing lets IAMGOLD Corporation use these waters for mine waste storage for the Côté Gold Mine Project, and it came into force on June 18, 2020 (published in the Canada Gazette on July 8, 2020).

What it does#

• Adds ten water bodies (including East Beaver Pond) about 20 km southwest of Gogama, Ontario, to Schedule 2 of the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations, designating them as tailings impoundment areas.
• Authorizes the deposit of mine waste (tailings and waste rock) in those waters for the Côté Gold Mine Project operated by IAMGOLD Corporation.
• Requires the company to prepare and carry out a fish habitat compensation plan (FHCP) approved by Fisheries authorities and to post an irrevocable letter of credit to cover implementation costs.
• Estimates a loss of 4.0 hectares of fish habitat from the mine waste areas and a planned creation of 0.9 hectares of higher-quality habitat through offset measures (realigned channels, habitat construction, fish salvage and relocation).
• Estimates the FHCP implementation cost at $2.40 million (present value) over 13 years and ongoing, intermittent monitoring and enforcement by government agencies.

Who's affected#

• IAMGOLD Corporation — the mine owner and operator who will use the listed waters for waste storage and pay for the compensation measures.
• People and communities near Gogama, Ontario — local residents may notice construction, changes to nearby lakes/streams, and mine activity.
• Indigenous groups who use land and waterways in the area, including the Mattagami First Nation, Flying Post First Nation, Brunswick House First Nation, Matachewan First Nation, and the Métis Nation of Ontario – Region 3 (these groups were consulted; some expressed support). The Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council was also identified but did not comment.
• Fish species and people who fish locally — habitat used by species such as northern pike, walleye, yellow perch and others will be altered.
• Federal departments that regulate and monitor fisheries and environmental compliance, notably Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

If it’s unclear who else may be affected, for example distant commercial fishers or other communities, the source does not provide details.

Why it matters#

• This regulation legally allows the mine to put tailings and waste rock into waters frequented by fish. That can change local waterways and fish habitat in practical, physical ways.
• The company must offset the damage through a compensation plan and a financial guarantee ($2.40 million) so the government has funds to complete the work if it becomes necessary.
• Nearby Indigenous communities and local residents may see changes to lakes, creeks and fish access. Some Indigenous groups engaged in consultations and agreements with the proponent and were involved in the EA process.
• The government’s review says the planned offsetting should result in no net loss of fish habitat, but the source also notes that some benefits are not fully quantified and monitoring/enforcement will be needed to confirm outcomes.