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Category Archives: Mining

Bill 71, ERO-019-6715 – Proposed Building More Mines Act, 2023

By Linda Heron on Sunday, April 16th, 2023
Posted in Bill 71, Environmental Registry, Heavy Metal Contamination, Land Use, Mining, ORA Submissions, Pollution, Regulatory Submissions, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Water Quality

Re:  Bill 71
        ERO-019-6715 – Proposed Building More Mines Act, 2023
        ERO-019-6749 – Consequential administrative amendments under the Mining Act
        ERO-019-6750 – Proposed regulatory amendments to closure plan and rehabilitation

A very disturbing reality has been revealed, that this government is clearly moving away from evidence-based decision-making that is grounded in science and, instead, is moving fully into a total lack of regard for environmental and stakeholder protections, and Indigenous treaty rights. This government is going too far in its efforts to cut red tape and deregulate environmental protections in Ontario.

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Agnico Eagle Upper Beaver Gold Project – Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines & Public Participation Plan

By Linda Heron on Saturday, March 12th, 2022
Posted in Fisheries, Impact Assessment Act, Mining, Misema River, ORA Submissions, Pollution, Regulatory, Regulatory Submissions, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Species at Risk, Upper Beaver Gold, Water Quality

The Agency has deemed the Project to be within federal jurisdiction and required it to undergo a federal Impact Assessment, and yet Agnico Eagle (AE) is planning to move forward with their advanced exploration as soon as weather permits. ORA objects to the Project moving forward with any advanced exploration activities that would result in any damage to the environment.

AE boasts about setting the “gold standard”, “for over 60 years Agnico Eagle has been attracting investment to Canada, from those who seek a mining company committed to make mining work better for communities, shareholders and the planet”.[1]  ORA submits that Stakeholders expect AE to set the “gold standard” on this Project by undertaking the most environmentally and socially rigorous, advanced and responsible project “for communities, shareholders and the planet”. [1] Agnico Eagle Twitter Posting, 22 November 2021
ORA comments requesting a federal review under the Impact Assessment Act, 2 October 2021.
Upper Beaver Gold Project – IAAC Portal.

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ERO 019-4219 – Moving to a project list approach under the EAA

By Linda Heron on Monday, January 24th, 2022
Posted in Class EA for Waterpower, Energy, Environmental Assessment Act, Environmental Registry, Fisheries, Flooding, Hydroelectric, Impact Assessment Act, Mining, ORA Submissions, Policy & Process, Quarries, Regulatory, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Sewage, Sewage, Species at Risk, Toxics, Water Quality

West Credit River Brook Trout – Photo by Steve Nokams

When these unregulated projects come home to roost, and the environmental impacts begin to damage or destroy highly valued public interests, such as our lakes and rivers, endangered species, our drinking water, and the economy, the government will pay a very high price.  Unfortunately, the damage that will result from these irresponsible and negligent actions will not easily be undone, and in many cases will not be resolved in our lifetimes.

If the government wants to incorporate “one-project, one review”, then it must be a robust EA process with fulsome public and Indigenous consultation, or it may find the process much longer than it might have intended.

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Agnico Eagle Upper Beaver Gold project – ORA Comments

By Linda Heron on Saturday, October 2nd, 2021
Posted in Government, Heavy Metal Contamination, Impact Assessment Act, Industry, Mining, Misema River, ORA Submissions, Pollution, Regulatory, Regulatory Submissions, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Upper Beaver Gold, Water Quality

The ORA strongly urges the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) to determine that a federal Impact Assessment is required to ensure that the ecological, social, and cultural effects of this proposed Project are rigorously assessed and mitigated. A federal IA would ensure that the potential ongoing cumulative effects of this Project on the environment, Indigenous communities and the public are fully addressed to ensure a more environmentally and socially sustainable outcome. 

Upper Beaver Gold Project – IAAC Portal.

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Drought Induced Flux of Metals from Peatlands in Watersheds Vulnerable to Extreme Events, Erik Szkokan-Emilson

By Linda Heron on Thursday, January 16th, 2014
Posted in Climate Change, Heavy Metals, Mining, River Concerns, Studies & Reports

Erik J. Szkokan-Emilson, S. Watmough, and J. Gunn. – Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, Living with Lakes Centre, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada

Recently a study was published that is very relevant to hydroelectric peaking facilities that hold water back to produce power during peak demand hours.  When water is held back for up to 24 hours, large areas of the downstream can become dewatered and dry, only to be flooded again when water is released to produce power.  Also, when the headpond is depleted it can take up to 24 hours to refill the headpond, depending on river flows, and shorelines and adjacent wetlands can become dry, only to be rewetted when the headpond is filled – this goes on daily in a peaking facility.  Check out the study:

Abstract:

“Climate change is predicted to cause an increase in frequency and severity of droughts in the boreal ecozone, which can result in the lowering of water tables and subsequent release of acidic, metal-contaminated waters from wetlands. We believe that in areas where historical deposition of metals and sulphur was severe, these episodic pulses of metals could reach concentrations sufficiently high to severely affect aquatic communities in receiving waters and cause a delay in biological recovery. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of drought on the chemistry of water draining from two Sudbury peatlands with widely contrasting peat organic matter content to determine the response of stream water chemistry to drought from peatland types in the region. Stream samples were collected using ISCO™ automated water collectors from June to November 2011. Following a period of drought, there was a decline in pH and a large increase in concentrations of sulphate and metal ions (Al, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) in water draining both peatlands, with extreme concentrations occurring over a period of about two weeks. At the site with the higher peat organic matter content there was an increase in metals that have a high affinity to bind to DOC (Al, Cu, and Fe) during the onset of drought. This study demonstrates a dramatic response to drought at two sites that differ in metal and nutrient pool sizes, hydrology, and topography, suggesting the potential for a majority of peatlands in the region to experience this response. Efforts to restore aquatic ecosystems and protect freshwater resources must take into account these processes, as disruptions to biogeochemical cycles are likely to become more prevalent in a changing climate.  Click here for more.

Also, below is a slide presentation relating to this study.

Victor Mine – DeBeers Application for Amendment to their Permit to Take Water — EBR Posting 011-9596

By Linda Heron on Wednesday, December 18th, 2013
Posted in Government, Industry, Mining, ORA Submissions, Permit to Take Water, Regulatory, Regulatory Submissions, River Concerns

Victor Mine – De Beers, near Attawapiskat First Nation

Excerpt:

“ORA is in full support of the submission made by Mr. Charles Hookimaw, an Attawapiskat First Nation member.  The proponent’s duty to consult impacted stakeholders and First Nation communities is paramount to an open, transparent and accountable approvals process, and is constitutionally mandated.  Many impacted stakeholders live in remote communities that have no access to internet, and it is inexcusable that the proponent has made no effort to meet with the Attawapiskat First Nation community, especially when this operation could have long lasting impacts on water quality, water quantity, and heavy metal contamination of local fisheries.” Continue reading →

Blue-green Algae bloom on Ella Lake, Vermilion River – November 2012 to March 2013

By Linda Heron on Monday, April 1st, 2013
Posted in Algae, Hydroelectric, Media, Mining, Photos, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Urban Development, Vermilion River, Waste Water Treatment Facilities, Water Quality

An Ella Lake resident has just reported that the Blue-green Algae bloom is still persisting.  So all local residents, cottagers and fishermen should continue to refrain from drinking, boiling, or using the water for the sauna.

Dr. Andrea Kirkwood, Faculty of Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology has taken a special interest in our winter outbreak, and has offered to examine a sample to determine the strain of blue-green algae present in Ella Lake.

Vermilion River Stewardship and the Beaver Lake Sports and Cultural Club are very concerned about public safety, and have requested signage warning of the blue-green algae to be posted at Ella Lake and Wabagishik Lake boat launches. Continue reading →

Cliffs Ferrochrome Processing Facility – Comments on Terms of Reference

By Linda Heron on Tuesday, December 11th, 2012
Posted in Cliffs FPF, Mining, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Vermilion River

Vermilion River Stewardship has commented on the Terms of Reference for the proposed Ferrochrome Processing Facility, to be located on the outskirts of Sudbury, Ontario – see comments below.  This facility would be situated near the top of the Vermilion River Watershed, and has the potential to negatively impact water quality and water quantity, as well as pose a significant threat to public health and safety.   This proposal would turn chromite into ferrochrome, which is in turn used to make stainless steel.

MiningWatch has conducted a literature review of environmental and human health issues associated with mining and processing the metal. The complete literature review and three summary fact sheets are available below.

Complete Literature Review (PDF 846 KB)

Potential impacts of mining and processing chromite. Fact Sheet 1 (PDF 594 KB)

Working with chromite: things you should know. Fact Sheet 2 (PDF 565 KB)

Living near a chromite mine or processing facility: things you should know. Fact Sheet 3 (PDF 447 KB)