A federal agency’s draft environmental assessment report on a proposed mine at Springpole Lake is available online.
RED LAKE — First Mining Gold wants to open a mine northeast of Red Lake, and the public is invited to comment on it.
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) is conducting an environmental assessment of First Mining’s proposed Springpole Gold Project, 110 kilometres northeast of Red Lake.
The IAAC’s draft environmental assessment report on the proposed open-pit mine is available online and open to public comment.
The draft report includes conclusions about the potential adverse environmental effects of the project, as well as proposed mitigation measures and conditions for the project.
The deadline for comment on the draft report is 11:59 p.m. on March 29.
First Mining is proposing to build and operate a gold and silver mine and on-site mill at Springpole Lake.
The project would include draining a bay and building dikes to create a pit for the mine.
First Mining’s chief executive officer has said it’s a “transformational” project creating employment opportunities and economic benefits for the region.
The Vancouver-based company entered into a process agreement with Cat Lake and Lac Seul First Nations, on whose traditional territories the project lies, for a community-based impact assessment of Springpole.
An executive summary of the community-based process — which is separate from IAAC’s work — will be released on Friday, the First Nations’ lead consultant on the project told Newswatch.
Vicki Blanchard said Cat Lake and Lack Seul will be responding to the IAAC draft report and having a series of meetings with the agency.
As well, she said, consultations in the First Nations will be followed by a community vote within the next month to gauge support for Springpole.