questions
answers
GENERAL QUESTIONS
We are facing this new reality because La Petite Nation is located in the heart of a geological zone rich in graphite. This ore is sought after for multiple uses, including the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles. Numerous claims and exploration permits have been granted to mining companies, including Lomiko Metals. After several years of successful exploration, in 2021 Lomiko began a concrete open-pit mine project (La Loutre). The company must now take the necessary steps to obtain, from the government, a possible authorization to extract and process the graphite.
A mining development and, particularly, an open pit mine cannot be done without environmental impact. Concretely, there is blasting and digging, the rock is moved, and mountains of residues are created on an immense surface of territory that had been stabilized for several thousand years. So the environment is in itself completely destroyed and efforts are made to try to contain this destruction (water, dust, chemicals, mining waste, etc.). The surroundings then become a risk zone.
Of course, there are rules to regulate such activities, but we certainly cannot say that it is a “clean” and risk-free industry. Nor can we ignore the “alarming” environmental history of mining companies in Quebec.
Control and monitoring of compliance with the rules are the responsibility of the mining company. Tests, checks and follow-ups, to be carried out by the ministry, are infrequent, and when there is monitoring, it is often following complaints received. Fines or penalties imposed on companies do not repair the damage that has been caused. More often than not, companies prefer to pay the fines instead of implementing more costly preventive measures.
The risks are many and can cause significant harmful effects to the environment and health (of wildlife and humans). We are talking about air pollution, noise and vibration pollution, significant disturbance of wildlife, and pollution of surface and groundwater.
Surface mining generates dust from materials found naturally in the ground, some of which can be harmful if inhaled. Additionally, harmful chemicals used to concentrate the ore can then leach into the environment and degrade surface and groundwater. Health risks depend on the concentration levels and duration of exposure to these contaminants.
Yes, open-pit or surface mining produces dust from materials naturally present in the ground, some of which can be harmful. This dust is generated during blasting, loading into trucks, crushing and grinding. In the pit, a convection effect is created with the increase in temperature, causing the dust to rise and be carried by the prevailing winds before gradually falling back to the ground.
Yes, it is very likely. Human error and environmental accidents occur regularly in the mining sector, as do the risks of negligence in the maintenance of mining infrastructure. Water runoff, amplified by heavy rains or rapid snowmelt, is also a possible cause of water pollution. This excess surface water could then flow towards streams, rivers and lakes by natural gravity, following the course of the watersheds.
In the process of authorizing the operation of a mine, it is recommended that there be social acceptability with free and informed consent to the project concerned. Unfortunately, in recent cases, it has been found that a project could be accepted when the opinion of the population was divided by 50%.
Our elected municipal officials have no decision-making power over the mining projects in the region. However all the municipal councils of the Papineau MRC support the Regroupement de Protection des Lacs de la Petite-Nation’s resolution. This initiative strives to prevent mining activities in our region.
The Regroupement de protection des lacs de la Petite-Nation (RPLPN), is made up of one or two representatives appointed by each of the ten lake protection associations. Nevertheless, we need to strengthen the mobilization movement. The first step is to express your interest to the lake associations (click here to consult the directory of associations) to indicate your availability. Regardless of your knowledge or skills, we need you, your involvement, and your participation, whatever you can give!
QUESTIONS SPECIFIC TO THE LA LOUTRE MINE PROJECT
The La Loutre project is located on a mining concession or claim covering 25 square km surrounded by three large bodies of water: Lac Gagnon, Lac Simon and Lac-des-Plages, all popular spots for vacationing and tourism in the Outaouais region.
The Lomiko Metals Inc. mining company owns mining rights over an area of approximately 13 km on the north-south axis and 2 km on the east-west axis for a total area of at least 25 square km.
The mining area of the La Loutre mine would cover only part of this area, approximately 7.5 square km (2.5 km by 3 km). The forest in this sector would be almost completely disturbed and its biodiversity would suffer irreparable damage. Other parts of the Lomiko territory could suffer the same fate during drilling and especially in the event of expansion of the mining sector.
Lomiko Metals Inc. is a public company based in Vancouver and listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Its main shareholders are its managers and individual investors. As of the date of this publication, there are no institutional investors in the company.
According to the technical study of Lomiko Metals Inc. (EEP), the life of the mine would be 14.7 years. The company is currently doing infill drilling and prospecting to increase its lifespan.
The mining project is located right at the center of the two watersheds’ demarcation line. To the west, the Lac Doré watershed flows into Lac Simon, and to the east, into Lac des Plages. Then, the waters of these two watersheds join the Petite-Nation River.
The only benefits could be economic in nature through local commercial activities resulting from the operation of this mine. But these advantages would be small compared to the current recreational tourism of the Petite Nation. Our region is not suited to the very specialized activities of the mining industry, which requires labour and equally specialized suppliers.
The disadvantages are multiple:
- Almost permanent destruction of the area exploited for mining
- Risks in terms of air, surface water, groundwater and noise pollution. Especially since most companies operating mines in Quebec have, to date, left worrying traces in the environment.
- Economic risks, including property devaluation and the alteration of the recreational tourism of the Petite Nation.
It is recognized that an open pit mine has negative impacts on the value of property. To what degree is mainly based on proximity to the operating site, but also on the level of incompatibility of uses. For example, a vacation chalet near the mine site would be significantly devalued, whereas a company that offers services sought by the mining company would not.
It’s doubtful considering the hiring criteria now recognized in the mining sector. A degree and experience would be needed by a large majority of employees in the trades required for mining.
Today, the vast majority of mine workers have at least a vocational degree and have received solid training as mechanics, electricians, drillers, blasters, plumbers, pipefitters, machinery or crane operators. Mining requires the cooperation of all these professions. In fact, the sector hardly recruits unskilled labor anymore, so the only workers who have learned “on the job” are quite simply the oldest.
In addition to the possible inconvenience caused by transport, you should know that the Outaouais, Laurentides and Lanaudière regions contain soils rich in graphite, and that many places are already targeted for exploration.
You should also know that the protection of lakes and rivers is very limited and that you could eventually find yourself near an open pit mine.
Although groundwater tests have not been completed, the company indicates in its technical study (EEP) that the waters of lakes Bélanger and Petit Lac Vert would be used.
At first, probably not, but gradually there could be two impacts:
If the excavated part of the mine goes below the groundwater level, there would be a runoff effect towards this excavated area of the mine, and this would cause the groundwater level to fall more pronounced near the hole and progressively less pronounced at a distance.
Leaks under the tailings sedimentation ponds would contaminate groundwater. This contamination would be more insidious and probably more progressive, covering a larger area. To clarify the extent of this risk, remember that the tailings storage facility has an area of 600 m by 1.2 km with a height, at maturity, of 150 m.
Construction of the mine site, blasting (3 times per week), loading and unloading of rocks in steel dump trucks, and trucking generate, through the intensity of noise, a level of stress that is harmful to humans and wildlife. The distance traveled by noise is greatly influenced by wind, altitude variations and obstacles encountered.
Let us remember that people living near this deposit area are accustomed to calm and have chosen to live in a sound environment mainly orchestrated by the song of nature. This industrial disturbance would have adverse effects on the health and quality of life of the population living near the mine and along the secondary roads leading to it.
We estimate that there would be more than 200 trips per day, including:
- 8 trucks per day for ore delivery;
- 46 vehicles for employees, on each shift;
- Vehicles and trucks for supplies, maintenance and repairs, parts and their components;
All these trips would be multiplied by two since it is a round trip for each vehicle or truck.
Such substantial traffic would occur on secondary roads and municipal roads that cross residential and resort areas. Certainly, this traffic would cause increased noise, reduced safety for communities and degradation of roads.
The main project pit would be approximately 130 meters (425 ft.) deep. The waste, or tailings, (94%) would first be accumulated in a gigantic heap that could reach 150 meters in height, i.e., an altitude of 370 meters above sea level; surface water and other runoff from this pile would be routed to 3 collection and sedimentation basins. All this waste would be created haphazardly from scratch during the mining process.
Yes, it is possible. The company must carry out specific tests. However, in the technical report (EEP), dated July 27, 2021, the results of these tests were not yet provided.
The energy sources planned for the operation of the La Loutre mine are:
- Diesel
- The planned mining site would be equipped with tanks capable of storing 102,000 litres of diesel, the equivalent of 6 days of operation;
- Propane
- Annual usage of 296,000 gallons and 4.4 million gallons over a 15-year period (expected life of mine);
- Electricity supplied by Hydro-Québec
- A use of approximately 54,700 MWh; which represents an average consumption of 2200 families.
YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Do not hesitate to send your questions with your contact details.