Today the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced that the environmental mitigation measures proposed for the Lynn Lake Gold Project in Manitoba provide a sustainable path forward for the project to proceed informed by the conclusions in the Environmental Assessment Report of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
The proposed open-pit gold mine and new metal mill located near the Town of Lynn Lake, about 1000 kilometres north of Winnipeg, was subject to a robust federal review based on scientific evidence and Indigenous knowledge. Alamos Gold Inc. (the proponent) will redevelop two previously operational mines in the area: the Gordon and MacLellan sites. Once up and running, the mine is expected to operate for 13 years, supporting much needed economic development for the town and the region. According to figures provided by the proponent, the project will create up to 406 jobs during construction and 412 during its operation.
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring proposals like the Lynn Lake Gold Project move forward in a way that is sustainable and protects the environment. As a result, the Decision Statement issued today by the Minister establishes 177 conditions the proponent must comply with throughout the life of the project. These conditions include measures to protect the health and socio-economic conditions of Indigenous Peoples, their traditional and cultural practices, woodland caribou (boreal population), migratory birds, fish and fish habitat, the atmospheric environment, and water quality and quantity.
For example, the proponent must take certain precautions in order to protect the population of woodland caribou and its habitat. Alamos Gold Inc. must conduct site-clearing activities for the project outside of the species' calving and calf-rearing period. It must avoid the destruction or alteration of woodland caribou habitat, and also participate in habitat restoration initiatives, including a collaring program, led by Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development as part of its Provincial Caribou Recovery Strategy.
Alamos Gold Inc. will also be responsible for developing and implementing a follow-up program to verify the effectiveness of all the project's mitigation measures as they relate to the habitat, health and survival of the woodland caribou.
Indigenous groups participated in the environmental assessment and provided their perspectives, expertise, and knowledge regarding the potential effects of the project.
The Government of Canada would like to thank all participants for their invaluable comments received throughout the environmental assessment process, as well as all the robust scientific advice received from various experts and the knowledge and input received from Indigenous groups regarding potential effects to Indigenous Peoples and Aboriginal or treaty rights. The proponent can now move forward with obtaining any necessary authorizations and permits from federal departments.
