Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
Transcript of Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
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CT GOLD PROJECT Chester and Neville Townships, Ontario
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT /
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Submitted to: IAMGOLD Corporation
401 Bay Street, Suite 3200 Toronto, Ontario
M5H 2Y4
Submitted by: AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, a Division of AMEC Americas Limited
160 Traders Blvd., Suite 110 Mississauga, Ontario
L4Z 3K7
May 2014
TC121522
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INTRODUCTIONANDENVIRONMENTALASSESSMENTCONTEXTIAMGOLD Corporation (IAMGOLD) is a leading midtier goldproducerheadquartered inToronto,Ontario. IAMGOLD is listedon the Toronto Stock Exchangemain board under the symbol"IMG". IAMGOLD currently owns six mines in Canada andabroad, and is in the process of developing four additionalprojects,includingtheCtGoldProject(theProject).
IAMGOLD acquired Trelawney Mining and Exploration Inc.(Trelawney) in2012.Trelawneyhadbeen exploring theProjectpropertysince2009,withtheobjectiveofdevelopinganopenpitgoldmineandprocessplant.AsofDecember31,2012,theCtGold drill hole database contained results of 293 diamond drillholesforatotalof158,047m.IAMGOLDhasalsoundertakenorcommissioned environmental, hydrogeological, geotechnical,mineralogical, engineering, logistics and economic studiesrelatedtothepotentialdevelopmentoftheproperty.
ProjectName: CtGoldProject
Proponent: IAMGOLDCorporation
PrimaryContact: IAMGOLDCorporation:StevenWoolfenden,Manager,CorporateEnvironmentalAssessmentsandApprovals401BayStreet,Suite3200Toronto,Ontario,[email protected]:4165942884
IAMGOLDhasbeenworkingcloselywiththeProvincialandFederalregulatoryagenciestoharmonizethe Federal and Provincial Environmental Assessment (EA) processes applicable to the Ct GoldProject(theProject)and,wherepossible,toalignpublicconsultationperiodstomeetbothFederalandProvincialrequirements,minimizingduplicationofeffort.
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IAMGOLD submitted aProjectDescription to theCanadianEnvironmentalAssessmentAgency (theAgency)onMarch15,2013.BasedontheProjectDescription, theAgencydeterminedthataFederalEA, pursuant to theCanadianEnvironmentalAssessmentAct 2012 (CEAA 2012),was required.TheAgencythenissueddraftEISGuidelinesonMay13,2013todeterminethescopeoftheEArequiredfortheProject.OnJuly9,2013,IAMGOLDwasinformedthataStandardAssessmentwouldberequiredfortheCtGoldProjectandfinalEISGuidelineswere issuedbytheAgency,therequirementsofwhichthisEAReportisintendedtofulfil.
IAMGOLD initiated the Provincial EA process, through the submission of aDraft ToR, to facilitateongoingpublicconsultationontheProject.ADraftToRwasissuedfora30daypublicreviewcommentperiodbetweenMay 10,2013 and June9, 2013.TheDraftToRwas subsequently revised,basedoncommentson thedocumentand resultsofopenhouses,andwas reissuedas theProposedToR foranother30daypubliccommentreviewperiod fromJuly19,2013andAugust19,2013.TheProposedToRwasapprovedbytheOntarioMinisteroftheEnvironmentonJanuary14,2014.
This EA report has been prepared to provide Federal and Provincial authorities with informationregarding the proposed Ct Gold Project in order to assist with decisionmaking by the FederalMinisteroftheEnvironmentregardingtheapplicabilityoftheCEAA2012.Itisalsointendedtoprovidesufficient informationfortheOntarioMinisteroftheEnvironmenttoapprovetheProjectpursuanttotheOntario EnvironmentalAssessmentAct. The Federal andProvincial government authorities haveagreedthatasingleEAreportwillbeusedforthecoordinatedEAprocess.
PROJECTOVERVIEWThe Project is located in theChester and Neville Townshipsin the District of Sudbury,northeastern Ontario. It isapproximately 20kilometres(km) southwest of Gogama,130km southwest of Timmins,and 200km northwest ofSudbury,seeFigureES1.
IAMGOLD proposes toconstruct, operate andeventually rehabilitate a new
openpitgoldmine,and iscurrentlyconductingengineeringstudiestofurtherconfirmanddeterminethetechnicalandeconomicaspectsoftheProject.
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Thepreliminarysite layout (seeFigureES2)proposes toplace the requiredminerelated facilities incloseproximitytotheopenpit,totheextentpracticable,onlandsthatareleasedand/or,onpatentedlands held fully and/or jointly by IAMGOLD. Open pit mining operations will occur at a rate ofapproximately60,000tonnesoforeperday.Overburden,minerockandlowgradeoreextractedfromtheopenpitwillbestockpiledinanearbyminerockarea(MRA).
Oreprocessingwillbecarriedoutbyconventionalmethods,usingacombinationofgravityseparationandcyanidationforgoldrecovery,followedbyinplantcyaniderecycleanddestruction.Tailingswillbestored ina constructed tailingsmanagement facility (TMF).Ahighproportionof theoreprocessingplant water requirement will derive from water recycled from the TMF, augmented by open pitdewatering,aswellasrunoffcollectedfromthevariousstockpileareas,withaseasonalneedforfreshwatermakeup(fromMesomikendaLake).ExcesssitewaterwillbedischargedtoBagsverdCreekviaapolishing pond and/or additionalwater treatment, if required. Such dischargewillmeet applicableFederalandProvincialeffluentdischargerequirementsandwillbeprotectiveofreceivingwateraquaticlife.
Miningoperationswillbesupportedbythedevelopmentofanexplosivesmanufacturingandstoragefacility.Amaintenancegarage,warehouseandadministrationcomplexwillbedevelopedadjacenttotheoreprocessingplant.
Anonsiteaccommodationscomplexwillalsobedevelopedatthestartofconstructionwithacapacitytohost1,500workers.Thiscomplexwillprovideaccommodation fortheconstructionandoperationsworkforce.SomeProjectpersonnelmaycommutefromGogamaandfromtheMattagamiFirstNationreserve. Potable water will be extracted primarily from groundwater resources. Nonhazardousdomesticsolidwasteswilllikelybedepositedinanonsitelandfill,unlessasuitableoffsitelandfillwithsufficientcapacityisidentified.IAMGOLDisplanningoncontinuingandexpandingitsexistingrecyclingprogramwith theaim tominimize solidwastes.Domestic sewagewillbe treatedusingapackagedsewage treatment plant or equivalent. Hazardous solid and liquidwastewill be hauled off site bylicensed contractors to licensed storage facilities. Opportunities to recycle some of the hazardouswaste,suchasusedoil,willbeinvestigated.
InitialconstructionpowerwillbeprovidedbytheexistingtransmissionlineconnectiontotheProvincialelectricalgrid,supportedbydieselpowergenerator(s)(lessthan5MWrequired).Permanentpowerwillbeprovided throughadedicatedconnectiontoaproposednew230kVtransmission line,originatingfromasubstationlocatedwithintheCityofTimmins.
Aspartoftheproposeddevelopmentoftheopenpit,CtLakewillneedtobedrained.Itisexpectedthat portions of Three Duck Lakes, Chester Lake, Clam Lake and theMollie River system will bedammedand/orwillrequirerealignmenttoallowforthesafedevelopmentandoperationoftheopenpit.ItiscurrentlyplannedthatBagsverdCreekwillalsoberealignedtoallowdevelopmentoftheTMF.
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CITY OF TIMMINS
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CITY OF GREATER SUDBURY
PROJECTSITE
FLYING POST IR. 73
MATACHEWAN IR. 72
MATTAGAMI IR. 71MOUNTBATTEN IR. 76A
WAHNAPITAE IR. 11
WHITEFISH LAKE IR. 6
SAGAMOK IR
POINT GRONDINE IR. 3WHITEFISH RIVER IR. 4SERPENT RIVER IR. 7
MISSISSAGI RIVER IR. 6
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Lake Huron
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Hwy 560Hwy 144
Hwy 810 Hwy 17
Hwy 64Hwy 637
Hwy 17
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District of TimiskamingDistrict of Sudbury
District of SudburyDistrict of Algoma
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DUCK LAKE IR. 76B Englehart
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Project Location
Area Enlarged
NOTES:- All base data on this map was extacted from Land Information Ontario, MNDM, OBM Ontario Digital Geospatial Database and Ontario Road Network Database._ Project Site Location !. Regional Communities
Major RoadsRailwayLower Tier MunicipalityBoundaryUpper Tier MunicipalityBoundary
First Nation ReserveConservation Reserve (Regulated)Provincial ParkWaterbody / Large WatercourseWooded Area
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Open Pit
Realignment connectLittle Clam Lake to Bagsverd Lake (South Arm)
Realignment connect Clam lake and LittleClam Lake
Realignment Chester Lake to Clam Lake
Proposed WasteDisposal Site
AggregatePit #1
Shining Tree 230 kV Transmission Line AlignmentEmulsionPlant
Fresh Water LineBagsverd Creek toWeeduckLakeRealignment
Realignment connect Weeduck Lake and Three Ducks Lake (upper)
Mine Water Pond AreaProcessing Plant
Tailings andReclaim Pipeline
BagsverdCreekRealignment
Camp Site
SecurityOffice
Fuel Bay
Low-grade Ore Stockpile
AggregatePit #3
MainAccessRoad
MNR Landfill
Cross-Country 230 kV Transmission Line Alignment
PolishingPond Area
MRA
TMF
MesomikendaLakeSubwatershed
Mollie RiverSubwatershed
UnnamedLake #1UnnamedLake #2
Inlet
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NevilleLake
WolfLake
Upper St.Louis LakeLoucksLake
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MooreLake
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BenneweisLakeThree DuckLakes(Upper) BerniceLake
ClamLake
ThreeDuck Lakes(Middle)LorryLakeChainLake
AttachLakeOctaveLake
SawpeterLakeRoundLakeGeorgeLake
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DATE: April 2014FIGURE: ES-2
1:70,000
Preliminary Site Plan
Existing Intermittent WatercourseExisting Permanent WatercourseExisting WaterbodiesHighwayLocal RoadSubwatershed BoundaryWooded Area
Open PitPotential Discharge LocationsFacilitiesDamMain Access RoadAccess RoadCross-Country 230 kVTransmission Line AlignmentShining Tree 230 kV Transmission Line AlignmentTailings and Reclaim Pipeline
Fresh WaterWatercourse Realignment
E Proposed WaterFlow DirectionProposed Lake AreaPolishing PondLow-grade Ore StockpileProposed Mine Rock Area (MRA)Proposed Tailings Management Facility (TMF)Proposed Landfill
AA MNR Landfill
NOTES:- Ontario base data extracted from Land Information Ontario (MNR)- TMF and subwatershed provided by Golder Associates.- Watercourse realignment and proposed lake area provided by Calder Engineering.- Surface infrastructure, open pit, landfill, MRA and transmission lines provided by IAMGOLD.
MesomikendaLake
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SCOPEOFTHEPROJECTANDASSESSMENT
PhysicalWorks
PhysicalworksrelatedtotheProjectareproposedtoconsistof:
Openpit:approximately210hectares (ha) inarea,withadepthofapproximately550m.Miningwilloccurata rateof approximately 60,000tpd of ore production over anapproximate15yearperiod.
Mine Rock Area (MRA): approximately 20million tonnes(Mt)ofoverburdenand850Mtofminerock,notrequiredfor site constructionpurposes,willbe stored in a surfacestockpile.Alowgradeorestockpilewillalsobedeveloped.
Ore processing plant: ore will be crushed, ground andprocessed on site to recover gold. The exact goldproduction ratewilldependonoregradeandgoldprices.Thedorgoldbarproductwillthenbesecurelytransportedoffsitebyroad.Typically,foraprojectofthissize,thefinalproductisshippedoffsitebytruckonceperweek.
TailingsManagement Facility (TMF): a preferred area forTMFdevelopmenthasbeenselected.ThisTMFcoversanareaofapproximately840haandwillprovidecapacityforthestorageofapproximately261Mtof tailingsover theexpectedProject life.Themaximumprojecteddamheightsareexpectedtobeintherangeof40mto45mabovegrade.
Watermanagement facilities: the principal flows at the Project site will bemanaged withdrainageworks,pipelinesandwatermanagementponds.Watercourse realignmentswillalsoberequiredaroundtheopenpitandTMF.
Transmission line:powerduringtheoperationsphaseoftheProjectwillbesuppliedbyanew230kV transmission line connected to the existing Hydro One Network in Timmins at thePorcupinesubstation.
Associated buildings, facilities and infrastructure: additional permanent onsite facilitiescurrentlyplanned,areexpected to include:amaintenancegarage,a fueland lube facility,awarehouse, an administration complex, a construction and operations accommodationscomplex, an explosivesmanufacturing and storage facility, an aggregate plant and pit, fuelstorage facilities,potableandprocesswater treatment facilitiesanddomesticand industrialsolidwastehandlingfacilities.Thesefacilitieswillbesupportedbyrelatedonsiteaccessroads,pipelinesandpowerinfrastructure.
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The proposed Project layout, showing themain Project components and associated facilities andinfrastructure,isshowninFigureES2andFigureES3.
ProjectPhases
Primaryconstructionphaseactivitieswillinclude:
procurementofmaterialandequipment;
movementofconstructionmaterialstoselectlaydownareasatandneartheProjectsite;
constructionofadditionalsiteaccessroads;
construction of dams and water realignment channels/ditches in preparation for thedevelopmentoftheopenpit,aswellastheconstructionoftheTMF;
construction/placementofcompensatoryfishhabitatwithinchannelrealignmentsandworksauthorizedtooffsetthelossoflakehabitat;
dewateringofCtLaketoallowfordevelopmentoftheopenpit;
strippingofoverburdenandinitiationofopenpitminedevelopment;
development of aggregate source(s) anticipated to be principally for concretemanufacture,foundationworkandTMFdamfilterzones;
establishmentofsiteareadrainageworks,includingpipelinesfromfreshwater/recycledwatersources;
developmentandinstallationofconstructionfacilities,includinglaydownareas,campfacilities,augmentationofelectricalsubstationcapacityandotherrelatedconstructioninfrastructure;
constructionofassociatedbuildingsand facilities,suchasa fuelbay,sewagetreatmentplantandlandfill(ifdeveloped);
preparationofonsitemineralwastehandlingfacilities,includingtheTMFdams;
constructionandenergizingofa230kVfeedertransmissionline,includinganonsiteelectricalsubstation;and
expansionofenvironmentalprotectionandmonitoringplan(s)forconstructionactivities;
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CITY OF TIMMINS
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MATACHEWAN IR. 72
Mattagami IR. 71
Hwy 101
District of CochraneDistrict of Timiskaming
Wapus Creek
Schist Lake
La Motte Lake
BiscotasiLake
GroundhogRiverWaterway
MacmurchyTownshipEnd Moraine
Grassy River-MonoLake Lowlands andFerris Lake Uplands
Dana-JowseyLakes
Akonesi Chain ofLakes Complex
BromleyLake
WhalsomLakeMesomikendaLakeRiceLake
PebonishewiLakeRae LakeNevilleLake
OpeepeeswayLakeBagsverdLakeClamLakeChesterLake MollieLake
KetchiniLake
MinisinakwaLake
NightHawkLake
KenogamissiLake
PeterlongLakeKenogamingLakeHorwoodLake
MattagamiLake
SinclairLake
NabakwasiLake
RushLake
GroundhogLake
KapiskongLake
TatachikapikaLake
Hwy 560
Hwy 101 W
Hwy 101 W
Hwy 144
SubstationPorcupine(500 kV)
SubstationTimmins(115 kV)
CrossingStation
ShiningTree DS(115 kV)
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CT GOLD PROJECT
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DATE: April 2014FIGURE: ES-3
1:550,000
NOTES:- All base data on this map was extacted from Land Information Ontario, MNDM, OBM Ontario Digital Geospatial Database and Ontario Road Network Database.Proposed Site Facilities Proposed Cross-Country 230 kV Transmission Line AlignmentProposed Shining Tree 230 kV Transmission Line AlignmentWaterbody / Large WatercourseWooded Area
RailwayHighway/ExpresswayLocal RoadFirst Nation ReserveConservation Reserve (Regulated)Provincial Park
Proposed Transmission Line Alignment Alternatives
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Activitiesthatwillbecarriedoutduringtheoperationsphaseareanticipatedtoinclude:
oreandminerockextractionactivities;
oreprocessing (gravityseparationandcyanidation,withacyanidedestructionprocess,usingrecycledwaterasmuchasfeasible);
ongoingmanagementofchemicalsandwastes;
watermanagement/treatment;
environmentalmonitoringandreporting;
followupenvironmentalstudies;and
progressivesitereclamation,whereandtotheextentpractical.
ThedecommissioningphaseactivitieswillconsistoftheclosureandreclamationofthevariousProjectcomponents, includingthe230kVtransmission line,shouldthetransfertoautilityprovenotfeasible.The objective of closure is to reclaim the Project site area to as near a naturalized and productiveconditionaspossibleuponcompletionofmining.
Thepostclosurephasewillbecarriedoutintwodistinctstages.Followingtheremovalofinfrastructureandwaste,aswellas the revegetationofdisturbedareas, theopenpitwillcontinue to floodduringpostclosurestage I. It isanticipatedthatthisstagecould lastapproximately50to80years.Floodingwilloccur throughnaturalgroundwater infiltrationandprecipitation,aswellasbyactive fillingwithwater collected in someorallof theMRA seepage collectionponds. If thewaterquality isdeemedsuitablefordischargetotheenvironment,pumpingfromtheseepagecollectionpondsaroundtheMRAtothepitwouldcease.WatercourserealignmentsandassociateddamswillbeleftinplaceduringpostclosurestageI.
PostclosurestageIIisthefinalstageofrehabilitationofthesiteandcommencesoncetheopenpitiscompletely flooded.Themainobjective is to reincorporate theopenpit lake into theexistingwatersystemsandtoreturnthesubwatershedstotheirpreminingconditions,asmuchaspracticable.
Apreliminary schedule for thedevelopmentof theProjecthas the constructionphase commencingaftercompletionofthecoordinatedFederalandProvincialenvironmentalassessment(EA)processandthe feasibility studywhich is scheduled to be completed early 2016. The decision to proceedwithconstructionwilldependon theProjecteconomics,which isbasedon theprojectedgoldprice.Theoperations phase is expected to start approximately two years following the commencement ofconstructionandtocontinuefora15yearmine life,basedontheknownreserves.Theclosurephasewill requireapproximatelytwoyearsandthepostclosurephase isanticipatedtotakebetween50to80years.
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DESCRIPTIONOFTHEENVIRONMENTBaseline information for theProjectwas collected for eachdisciplineof thephysical,biological andhumanenvironments.Extensive studieswereconducted in2012and2013 inorder to informProjectdesigns,provide referencevalues for futuremonitoringactivitiesand toallow for theassessmentofpotentialProjecteffectsontheenvironment.
Climate
Theclimateat theProjectsite is typicalofnortheasternOntario,experiencingshort,warmsummersand long, coldwinters. Longterm climate statistics for the regional climate stationsmaintained byEnvironmentCanadaaremonitored inTimmins,ChapleauandSudbury,and indicatea totalannualprecipitationof800mm to900mm,with29% to37% fallingas snow in the region.Annualaveragetemperatures range from 17C to 19C,withminimumdaily temperaturesoccurring in JanuaryandmaximumdailytemperaturesoccurringinJuly.
AirQuality,NoiseandVibration
TheProjectsiteislocatedinaremoteareainaruralsetting.RegionalairqualitydatafromMinistryoftheEnvironment(MOE)stations, locatedatthenearesturbancentres(Sudbury,SaultSte.MarieandNorthBay),isconsideredtobeconservativewhenusedasexistingbaselinedatafortheregionalstudyarea.Regionalairqualityisconsideredtobegoodduetotheruralsetting,andisinfluencedbynaturalandmanmade emissions borne on southernwinds.Air quality data collected at the Project site isconsistentwith the regionalsettingwithnosignificantanthropogenicsourcesofairemissions in thevicinity.
The noise survey data indicates that the environment in the regional and local study areas ischaracteristicofarural(Class3)area, inaccordancewithMOEguidelinepublicationNPC232averagenoiselevelsare34dBA(evening/night)and44dBA(daytime).
GeochemistryandGeology
TheProjectarea is located in theSwayzeGreenstone Belt, an extension of theAbitibiGreenstoneBeltlocatedwithintheSuperior province. The Swayze beltcontainsbothextrusiveandintrusiverockswithcompositionsrangingfromultramaficto felsic. It also contains chemical andclastic sedimentary rocks which mainlyoccur near the top of successions. TheCt Gold deposit is hosted within theChester Granitoid Complex, which
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comprisesthenorthernedgeoftheRamseyAlgomagranitoidcomplex.
Selectedsamplesofoverburdenandrockavailablewereanalysedtoscreenforthepotentialofmetalleachingandacidrockdrainage.Testresults indicateavery lowpotentialformetal leachingandacidrockdrainage for tailingsandmine rockmaterials.Overburdenmaterials in thevicinityof the futureopenpitwerealsoassessedinasimilarmannerandlikewiseindicatelittlepotentialformetalleachingandacidrockdrainage.Geochemicalinvestigationsareongoingtofullycharacterizeminerock,tailingsandothermaterialstobeproducedorusedbytheProjecttoguidedesignandengineeringstudies.
Results todate indicated that the likelihoodofnetacidconditionsoccurring in themine rockpiles isconsideredtobeverylow.Inclusionofthelimitedamountofpotentiallyacidgeneratingmaterialswiththe bulk of the mine rock is deemed to be an appropriate management method and as such,segregationofpotentiallyacidgeneratingmaterialsisnotnecessary.
Hydrology&Hydrogeology
TheProject site is locatedwithin theUpperMattagamiRiver Watershed, north of the intercontinentalwatershed divide between the James Bay and GreatLakesWatersheds,whichdrainsnorthward through theCity of Timmins and ultimately to James Bay. SurfacewaterflowsattheProjectsitearecontrolledbyanumberof lakes and creekswhich flow to theMollieRiver andMesomikenda Lake prior to discharging to theMinisinakwa Lake and ultimately theMattagami River.SurfacewaterflowpathsattheProjectsitearecurrentlymonitored by 14 hydrological stations distributedthroughout the Mesomikenda Lake and Mollie RiverSubwatersheds.Meanannual runoff for the region is inthe range of 300mm to 350mm, and groundwaterrecharge to streamflow is estimated at an annualaverage of 0% to 20%, indicating that surface flow isdominantintheregionalsystems.
TheMattagamiRiverupstreamoftheCityofTimminsWaterFiltrationPlant(includingtheProjectsite)is within the Intake Protection Zone3 in the context of the Mattagami Conservation AuthorityProvincialDrinkingWaterSourceProtectionProgram.
Groundwater is rechargedas infiltratingprecipitation is inferredona regional level to flow from thesouthsouthwest to the northnortheast. On a local level, groundwater flow is controlled by thetopography, flowing from highelevation recharge areas to discharge at lowlying areas and nearbysurfacewaterfeaturesandwetlands.
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Themovementofgroundwaterwithinoverburden throughout theProject site ishighlyvariableandtypicalofgranulartofinegranularmaterialssuchasgravelandsandmixtures.Granulartillmaterials,withequallyhighpermeabilityasoverburden,wereobservedatdepthinseverallocations,particularlyin the lowlying areas along the Mollie River and the Bagsverd Creek valleys. A wide range ofgroundwatermovement through thebedrockwasmeasured,as theupper10mconsistsof fracturedbedrock, while at greater depth there is unfractured bedrock. Groundwater movement generallydecreaseswithdepthwhichistypicalintheCanadianShield.
SurfaceWater,SedimentandGroundwaterQuality
Surfacewaterqualitysamplingwascompletedat22 locations,which includednumeroushydrologicalstationsneartheProjectsite,andresultswerereferentiallycomparedtowaterqualitystandardsandguidelines. The overallwater quality observed in the study area is considered typical of lakes andwatercoursespresentintheregionsoftheCanadianShield.Theresultsindicatethatatsomelocationstheconcentrationsof someparameterswereconsistentlyoroccasionallygreater than theProvincialWaterQualityObjectivesandCanadianEnvironmentalQualityGuidelinesfortheprotectionofaquaticlife. This is because flow is influenced by bedrock outcrops, and concentrations that exceedwaterquality criteria likely reflect the influenceofnaturalmineral ladenbedrockweatheringprocessesonsurface water quality. Water column profiling results indicate that most lakes in the study areaexperience a turnover during spring, and the profiles of dissolved oxygen, temperature, andconductivity(toalesserextent)indicatethatthewatercolumnisstratifiedfrommidtolatespringandthroughthesummermonths.
Sediment analysis indicated good sediment quality,with themajority of parameter concentrationsbelowProvincialSedimentQualityGuidelinesandFederalCanadianEnvironmentalQualityGuidelines.Notedexceedances for totalorganiccarbonweredeemed typical innorthernOntario lakesdue toanaturally high organic content. Some metal parameters were detected at higher concentrations(copper, iron and magnesium) and are similarly attributable to the weathering of the underlyingmineralladenbedrock.
Groundwater quality results indicate that field pH, aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt,copper, iron,molybdenum, silver, tungsten, uranium, vanadium, zinc, unionized ammonia and freecyanide were occasionally present in concentrations greater than water quality standards andguidelines (ProvincialWaterQualityObjectives and Canadian EnvironmentalQualityGuidelines). Inaddition, arsenic and uranium were occasionally greater than Ontario Drinking Water Standards,though this is not uncommon for regions in the Canadian Shield. All other parameters and/orconcentrationsanalysedwereconsistentlybelowwaterqualitycriteria.
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Source:U.S.FishandWildlifeServicesNortheastRegion
Vegetation
The vegetationbaseline studies for the regionalandlocalstudyareasaroundtheProjectsitedemonstratethat the vegetation communities are typical of themixed boreal forest region of northernOntario.Thelocal study area and Project site are dominated byupland forested and nonforested communities,which comprise approximately 65% of the area.Upland communities and ecosites consisted ofdeciduous, mixed wood, coniferous and culturalhabitats. Wetland communities and ecositesconsistedofswamp,fenandmarshtypewetlands.
ThemajorityoftherecordedplantspeciesarenativetoOntarioandnoprovinciallyorfederallylistedorrarespecieswereidentifiedthroughfieldstudies.FieldsurveysalsoindicatedthatnoRareVegetationCommunitiesarepresentwithinthelocalstudyarea.
Wildlife
Wildlifesurveysconductedbetween2012and2013identifiedspeciesofbirds,reptilesandamphibians,mammals and species at risk.The area exhibits arelatively high diversity of avian andmammalianspecies that reflect the diversity of availablehabitats (forests, wetlands, shrublands andclearings).Speciesobservedduring surveys in theregionalandlocalstudyareasareconsideredtobelargelyabundantandcommontoregion.
Basedonareviewofecositespresent,fieldstudiesconfirmedthepresenceofSpecializedHabitatsforWildlife, namely Bald Eagle Nesting Habitat,RaptorNestingHabitat, andAmphibianBreedingHabitat(Wetlands).NosignificantHabitatforSpeciesofConservationConcernwasconfirmed.
Speciesatriskdetectedthroughfieldsurveys inthe localandregionalstudyareasaroundtheProjectsitearelistedinTableES1.
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TableES1:SpeciesatRiskDetectedwithintheLocalandRegionalStudyAreas
SpeciesCommonName ESA SARA
Birds
BaldEagle SC NAR
CanadaWarbler SC T
CommonNighthawk SC T
OlivesidedFlycatcher SC T
RustyBlackbird SC
Mammals
LittleBrownMyotis(bat) E
NorthernMyotis(bat) E
Reptiles
Nonedetected
ESAEndangeredSpeciesAct,SARASpeciesatRiskAct.EEndangered,NARNotatRisk,SCSpecialConcern,TThreatened
AquaticBiology
As previously noted, the Project is located in theheadwaters of theMattagamiWatershed which ischaracterized by the presence of numerous lakesandrivers.Lakedepthsvaryfromapproximately3minCtLake,1.6m inUnnamedLake#1andup to5.8m in Little Clam Lake with the nearbyMesomikenda Lake being the only waterbody ofsignificantdepthatanaverageof32m.Most lakeshave a neutral to slightly acidic pH, with warmwaters,shallowSecchidepths(mostlyyellowbrowncolouredwaterwithmoderateclarity)anddissolvedoxygen levels typical for regional lake Thebanksofthesurveyed lakesweremostlyborderedbywetlandsand/or forested to theshoreline.BlackSpruceandCedarmainlyoverhungtheshorelineswithalders,shrubs,sedgesandgrassesintheunderstoryatthe lakesedges.Within the lakes,emergentmacrophyteswereobserved in theperiphery,providingspawninghabitatforYellowPerchandNorthernPikes.The lakessupported largebodiedfishspeciesprimarilyconsistingofNorthernPike,YellowPerchandWhiteSucker.SomeofthewaterbodiesalsosupportedLakeWhitefish andWalleye,which also represent important sport fish.Samplingsof thewaterbodiesdidnotprovideevidenceofanyaquaticSpeciesatRisk (suchasLakeSturgeon)underCOSEWIC.
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The rivers, includingMollieRiver,BagsverdCreek andClamCreek,are characterizedby slow flows,exceptforshallowandrockyportionsandduetoextensivemacrophytecoverageobservedalongthebanks,thewatercoursesprovidesuitablespawninggroundsforNorthernPike.
PondssurroundingtheProjectsitegenerallyhaveemergentmacrophytesandwooddebriswithAlders,sedges,shrubs,andgrassesdominatingthebanks.ExceptforthepresenceofWhiteSuckerinBagsverdPondandWestBeaverPond,nolargebodiedfishwerecapturedinsampledponds
LandandResourceUse,TraditionalKnowledgeandLandUse
The regional study area is primarily used for resource development (mineral exploration, forestry),cottaging and outdoor recreation, andwilderness pursuits such as canoeing, trapping, hunting andfishing.Miningandforestrelatedactivitiesarethepredominanttypesofindustrialorcommerciallandusesintheregionalstudyarea.Itappearsthatsomerecreationuses(suchasfishingandhunting)maynotbeaspopular in theareaas inadjacentareas;however, cottagingandcanoeingarevaluedandhistoricallanduses.
TheMattagami First Nation and Flying Post First Nation were provided funding by IAMGOLD tocompleteatraditionalknowledgeandtraditionallandusestudy.Subsequently,someculturalresourcesthatmaybeaffectedbytheProjectwereidentified,includingawildlifepoint(baldeaglenest),portageroute,waterfowlhuntingrouteandawaterfowlhuntingpoint.Informationhasnotyetbeenprovidedbythecommunityonthecurrentuseofthesesitesorthevalueascribedbythecommunitytothem.Other resources thatmaybeusedby theMattagamiandFlyingPostFirstNation in theProjectareaincludepickerel,moose,ducks,partridge(grouse),andblueberries.
SpecifictraditionallandusesandtraditionalknowledgerelatedtotheProjectareafromtheMtishasnotyetbeenreceived.AccordingtoreportspublishedbytheMtisNationofOntario,importantplantspecies in general for theMtis includemushrooms; specifically birch and chanterellemushrooms,ferns,andberries.Importantwildlifeincludesgrouse,deer,moose,ducksandgeese.FishspeciesintheareathatmaybeusedbytheMtisincludetrout,pike,walleye,andwhitefish.
BuiltHeritageResources
Nobuiltheritageresources,otherthanruinsfrompreviousminingactivities,havebeenidentifiedinthelocal studyarea.Twelve culturalheritage landscapesand 19builtheritage resourceswere identifiedwithintheregionalstudyarea.Theselandscapesare:fiveremnantsofCulturallyModifiedTrees(CMT)that served as Aboriginal and early EuroCanadian trailmarkers; and seven remains of early trailsystems,reflectedtodayinopencorridorsthroughwoodedareas.
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Archaeology
Archaeological assessmentsconducted for the Project followedapplicable regulations andguidelines as per the OntarioHeritage Act and the Ministry ofTourism,CultureandSport.Someofthe prime areas of potential weretested inthespringof2012.Stage1andStage2investigationsidentifiedatotalof37archaeologicalsitesand31 features, located and recordedwithin the Project property. Thisincludes 18 precontactarchaeological sites, 11 historicarchaeological sitesand8ancient trailsandportages. Ifany identified siteswere tobe impactedbyProjectactivities,thenStage3andStage4archaeologicalassessmentswouldbecarriedout.
VisualAesthetics
Theexisting landscapeat,andaroundtheProjectsite istypicalofnorthernOntario,characterizedbydensely populated coniferous and deciduous trees, rivers and lakes. Landscapes from the identifiedreceptor sitesduringwinterand summerpresentanatural settingwith viewsof lakesand/or rivers,treesandnaturalforestclearings.
SocioEconomics
The regional study area includes the areas ofGogama, Timmins, Sudbury, theUnorganizedNorthSudburySubdivision,UnorganizedTimiskamingWest,MattagamiFirstNation,FlyingPostFirstNation,Brunswick House First Nation and Matachewan First Nation. Timmins and Sudbury are urbancommunitieswhichhave increasinglybecomeservicehubsformining,educationandhealthservices.TheruralareasofGogamaandtheunorganizedsubdivisionshave,overthepastdecade,seennegativepopulationgrowthandanageingdemographic.TheFirstNation reserveshaveyoungerpopulationsandhaveseenpositivepopulationgrowth,althoughsome(MattagamiandMatachewan inparticular)seemtobeundergoingademographictransitiontoa largerworkingagepopulation.Themajorityoftheirmembersliveoffreserve.
Theregionalstudyareaspopulationgrewby1.3%overtheperiodfrom2006to2011.Themajorityofregionalstudyarearesidents (97.3%) live inoneofthetwocities intheregionalstudyarea,TimminsandSudbury.BothCitieshavegrown inpopulation,while ruralpopulationsshrank.Highcommoditypriceshavestrengthenedtheregionalstudyareaseconomyoverthelastdecade,particularlyinurbanareas,whichhavealsobenefitedeconomicallyfromtheirroleasregionalservicehubs..
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Thecultureoftheregionhasbeen influencedbytheAboriginalpeopleswhoreside(d) intheareaandthepatternofsettlementfromFrenchandEnglishCanada.GogamainparticularhasastrongFrancoOntarianinfluenceinitsculture.AccordingtoinformationfromStatisticsCanada,morethanhalfofitsresidents, 56.1%, consider French their mother tongue and 64.3% of residents are bilingual. AsubstantialandrisingshareoftheregionsresidentsidentifyasAboriginal,8.0%inTimminsand8.2%inSudbury.AmongthosewhoidentifyasAboriginaltherearemultipleidentities,withabouthalfofthepopulationidentifyingasMtisandhalfasFirstNation.
Theregionaleconomyhasbeenstrengthenedbyasustainedincreaseincommodityprices,particularlyingold,whichhashelpedexpand themining industry.The regional studyareahasa longhistoryofminingand the industryhasplayeda role in forming its institutions,cultureand infrastructure.BothTimminsandSudburyhavehadorhaveminesinproductionwithintheircitylimits.Peopleworkinginminingmakeup14.5%oftheworkforceofTimminsand8.6%oftheworkforceofSudburycomparedto0.4%forOntarioasawhole.BothCitygovernmentsaresupportiveoftheminingindustry.Thestrongrelationship with natural resource based activities leaves it highly affected by globalmarkets andcommodityprices.
The regional study area is accessible by road, rail and air services. The regional study areasinfrastructure and social services for Timmins and Sudbury provide adequate services for currentdemandsandneeds.Generally,waterandwastewatertreatmentisadequatethroughouttheregionalstudy area, including the First Nation communities, although Gogama's wastewater treatment iscurrentlynearcapacity.
ALTERNATIVEMEANSOFCARRYINGOUTTHEPROJECTThe Ontario Environmental Assessment Act makes reference to both "alternatives to" a proposedundertaking,and"alternatemethods"ofcarryingoutaproposedundertaking.
AspartofthedevelopmentoftheEAprocessandincompliancewithEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)Guidelines,IAMGOLDcommittedtoassessalternativesto,andmeansofcarryingouttheProject.
ProjectAlternatives
AlternativesfortheProjecthavebeenconsideredwithrespecttothefollowingProjectcomponents:
mining;
minewatermanagement;
minerockandoverburdenmanagement(minerockarea,MRA);
oreprocessingplant;
processeffluenttreatment;
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tailingsmanagementfacility(TMF);
watersupply;
waterdischarge;
watercourserealignments;
siteinfrastructurepositioning;
aggregatesupply;
solidwastemanagementanddomesticsewagetreatment;
powersupplyandrouting;and
mineclosure.
Asummaryof theproposedalternatives for theProjectarepresented inTableES2, followedby therationale for the selected alternatives. For some Project elements, technologies or processeswerereadilyselectedduetothetechnicalsuitabilityofthosesuitedtotheProjectsconditionsandthosethatcanbefinanciallysustainedbytheProject.Thepreferredalternatives,whichhavebeencarriedforwardinthepredictionofeffectsandimpactassessment,arehighlightedinTableES2.
AlternativestotheProject
ThreealternativestotheProjecthavebeenidentified,whichinclude:
proceedwiththeProjectinthenearterm,asplannedbyIAMGOLD;
delaytheProjectuntilcircumstancesaremorefavourable;and
thedonothingalternative(developmentoftheProjectiscancelled).
Fromanoverallperspective,thepreferredalternative istoproceedwiththeProject inthenearterm.Althoughthereisessentiallynodifferencesinenvironmentaleffectsassociatedwiththealternativeofproceedingwith theProjectasplanned versus timing commencementof theProjectwith improvedmarketconditions.
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TableES2:SummaryofAlternativeMethodsfortheProject
ProjectElement Alternative RationaleforSelection
Mining
OpenpitminingOrebodyisahightonnage,relativelylowgradedepositlocatednearthesurface,whichisbestsuitedtoopenpitmining.
UndergroundminingOrebodynotsuitableforundergroundmining,duetothefactthatthegoldisfinelydisseminatedandclosetothesurface.
Openpitandundergroundmining
Itisnotanticipatedthatdevelopingasmalleropenpit,combinedwithanundergroundoperationisnotsuitableduetothefactthatthegoldisfinelydisseminatedintheorebody.
MinewaterManagement
Developaseparateminewatersystem
AkeyobjectiveoftheProjectistorecycleasmuchoftheonsitewateraspracticable.Aseparateminewatertreatmentandmanagementsystemwouldgoagainstthisobjective.
IntegrateminewaterwithTMFoperations
ThisalternativeisbestsuitedtotheProjectsobjectiveofrecyclingonsitewater.
MineRockandOverburdenManagement
Placeandmanagetheminerockandtheoverburdeninstockpileadjacentorproximaltoopenpit
Forlargeminingprojects,minimizingminerockmanagementcostisamajorcostdriver;therefore,itiscommontoplaceminerockandoverburdenasclosetothepitaspracticable.
Establishatemporarystockpilelocation,withminerockandoverburdenretainedinthepitduringoperationsand/orreturnedtopitatclosure
MovingthelargeamountsofoverburdenandminerockgeneratedduringtheconstructionandoperationsphasesagainuponclosurewouldincreasetheProjectfootprintandbeexcessivelycostly,whichmayrendertheProjectuneconomic.
GoldRecovery
NoncyaniderecoveryNoviableindustrialscaleapplicationalternativeavailable.
CyaniderecoverymethodsThismethodisappliedwhenallgoldisextremelyfineandcannotberecoveredpartiallybyusinggravityseparation.
Combinationofnoncyanideandcyaniderecoverymethods
Inthisorebody,aportionofthegoldcanberecoveredusinggravityseparation,suchthatasmallerfractionwillrequirecyanideleaching,hencethecombinationofthesetwomethodsisthechosenalternative.
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TableES2:SummaryofAlternativeMethodsfortheProject(contd)
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ProjectElement Alternative RationaleforSelection
ProcessEffluentTreatment
InplantcyaniderecyclinganddestructionusingtheSO2/Airprocess
Thisprocesspresentsthelowestrisktosurfacewaterqualityandpeopleinthecaseofanaccidentalreleaseoftailings.
ProcessplanteffluentdischargetotheTMFwithnaturaldegradationforthedestructionofcyanide
Theuseofnaturaldegradationpresentsagreateroverallenvironmentalrisk.
ProcesseffluentdischargetotheTMFfornaturalcyanidedegradationandusesupplementalhydrogenperoxidedestructionofanyresidualcyanide
HydrogenperoxidetreatmentwillhavealowercostthantheSO2/Air,butmaycarryenvironmentalrisks.
TailingsManagement
Tailingsslurry(~50%solidcontent)Thisisthemostcommonlyuseddepositionmethodincoolerclimatesandisthereforemostprovenmethodology.
Thickenedtailings(~60%solidcontent) Thickeningoftailingsisverycostlyandisgenerallyonlycarriedoutinsettingswithverylimitedwateravailabilityandindryclimates.
Pastethickenedtailings(~68%solidcontent)
WaterSupply
MesomikendaLake
AllowsforareliablesourceofwaterfromthelargestbodyofwaterintheareaatarelativelyshortdistancefromtheProjectwithminimalpotentialforenvironmentaleffects.
Otherareawatercourse(s),lake(s)andpond(s)
Theonlyotherlocalsurfacewaterwithsufficientcapacity,andthatisreasonablyclose,isBagsverdLake.TakingwaterfromBagsverdLakeduringlowflowyearswouldaffectaquatichabitatandfishinthelakeanddownstream.
Groundwaterwell(s)GroundwateryieldislimitedandinsufficienttomeetProjectneeds.
WaterDischarge
MesomikendaLake
MesomikendaLakeiscapableofmeetingtheProjectswaterdischargeneeds.Howevercottagersanddownstreamusersmayperceivewaterdischargeasaninfringementorasadisturbance.
BagsverdCreek
WaterqualitymodellingpredictsthateffectsonBagsverdCreekwouldbeslightlylowerthanMesomikendaLake.TheresultingmixingzoneinNevilleLakeispredictedtobesmaller.
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TableES2:SummaryofAlternativeMethodsfortheProject(contd)
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ProjectElement Alternative RationaleforSelection
WatercourseRealignments
RealignmentofBagsverdCreekaroundtheTMFandrealignmentofportionsofThreeDuckLakes,ChesterLake,ClamLakeandtheMollieRiversystemaroundtheopenpitandMRA.
Watercourserealignmentsweredesignedandoptimizedtominimizeimpactstoreceivingwatersandaquaticspecies.Inaddition,theyweredevelopedtominimizetransferbetweenwatershedsandalsoconsideredabilitytooffsetimpactstofishandfishhabitat
OtherrealignmentsaroundProjectcomponents
Additionaloptionswereconsideredtobelessfavourablewithregardstodesiredenvironmentaloutcomes.
SiteInfrastructure
Maintenancegarage,warehouseandadministrationcomplex
AsfinalProjectdesignisconsideredtheoptimallocationsforthesecomponentsmaybefurtherrefinedandoptimizedtomeetProjectneedsandminimizeenvironmentaleffects.
Accommodationcomplex
Fuelandlubebay
GenerallaydownareasandtemporarystoragefacilitiesExplosivesmanufacturingandstoragefacilities
AggregateSupply
Overburden/minerock
Approximately40MtofminerockisexpectedtobeusedinvariousformsofProjectsiteconstruction.Qualityoverburdenandminerockarenotsufficienttomeetallconstructionneeds.
DedicatedonsiteaggregatepitsResourcesavailablefromexistingonsitepitareapproximately0.5Mm3andareexpectedtohavelowpotentialforenvironmentaleffects.
CommercialoffsiteaggregatepitsImpliesrelianceonexternalsuppliersandhighercostduetothetransportationofmaterialtotheProjectsite.
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TableES2:SummaryofAlternativeMethodsfortheProject(contd)
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ProjectElement Alternative RationaleforSelection
NonHazardousSolidWaste
Truckwasteoffsitetoanexistinglicensedlandfill
Transportwouldincreasetrafficalonglocalroadsandreliesonprovisionofservicesbyothers.Transportingcouldbecontractedtoothersbutmaybetoocostly.
DevelopanonsitelandfillThisalternativerequireslongtermmonitoringandpotentialclosureliabilities,makingitlessattractivefromacostperspective.
Acquire/manageanoffsitelandfillproximaltotheProject
CloseproximitytotheProjectsitewillreducecostofhaulingwastesandwouldeliminatetheneedfordevelopmentofaccessroads.Facilitylocationreducestheriskforpotentialeffectstogroundwaterduetolocaltopographyandgeology.
IncinerationThisalternativeisnoteconomicallyviableandwillincreaseundesirableemissions.
HazardousSolidWaste
Shipmentoffsitetoanappropriatelicensedlandfill
ShipmentofhazardoussolidwasteisgenerallythepreferredalternativetolimittheProjectfootprint.
Developmentofanonsitehazardoussolidwastemanagementsystem(suchaslandfill)
Thisalternativespotentialriskstotheenvironmentareunacceptableanditwasthereforenotconsideredfurther.
DomesticSewage
Septictank(s)andtilefield(s)
Duetosoilconditionsatthesite,thistechnologywouldrequireimportofadditionalmaterial.Suitableonsitelocationswithoutaffectingwatercoursesarelimited.
LagoonsSystemispoorlysuitedforcolderregionsduetothereductionofbiologicaloxidationprocesses.
Packagesewagetreatmentplant
Packagesewagetreatmentplantsareproventechnologyandcosteffective.RemainingsludgewillbetruckedoffsitetoalicensedlandfillordisposedofintheTMF.Posttreatmenteffluentcanbedirectlydischargedtotheenvironment.
Truckingdomesticsewageoffsitetoalicensedtreatmentplant
Alternativewouldminimizeonsiteenvironmentaleffects..Truckingwouldincreasetrafficalonglocalroadsandincreasethepotentialforaccidentsandspillsandisnoteconomical.
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TableES2:SummaryofAlternativeMethodsfortheProject(contd)
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ProjectElement Alternative RationaleforSelection
PowerSupplyandRouting
OnsitedieselgenerationThisalternativehashighenvironmentalimplicationsandisnoteconomicallyviablefortheProject.
Tieintothe115kVlineneartheProjectThisalternativeisconsideredinsufficientbasedonthepowerrequirementsoftheProjectdesign.
230kVShiningTreetransmissionlinealignment
Thisalignmenthasgreatervegetationclearingrequirements.Thisalternativeismorecostlyduetoitsgreaterlength,whichalsocausesgreatertransmissionlosses.
230kVCrossCountrytransmissionlinealignment
Thisalignmenthasasmallerfootprint.Inaddition,transmissionlosseswillbereducedwhichreducesthedemandontheprovincial;electricalgrid.
Alternativeenergysources(hydroelectric,solar,wind)
RenewableenergycannotprovideconsistentuninterruptedpowerordonotmeetIAMGOLDstechnicalneeds.
MineClosureOpenpitmine
NaturalfloodingItwouldtakeapproximately100yearsormoreforthepittofloodnaturally,withoutadditionalinflows.
Enhancedflooding
Enhancedfloodingwillreducethetimeuntiltheopenpitisfullyflooded.RunoffandseepagecollectedfromtheMRAwillbeusedtoenhancefloodingoftheopenpit.
BackfillwithmineralwasteThisalternativeisnoteconomicallyviablefortheProject.
MineClosureWatermanagementsystem
LeaveinplaceThisalternativewouldrequirelongtermmaintenanceandmonitoringofresidualsitedrainagefeatures.
PartialremovalPartialremovalwouldhavebeenconsiderediffullremovalwasnottechnicallyfeasible.
Fullremoval
Minimizeslongtermmaintenanceandmonitoringrequirementswhilealsoreestablishing,asmuchaspossible,predisturbanceconditions.
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TableES2:SummaryofAlternativeMethodsfortheProject(contd)
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ProjectElement Alternative RationaleforSelection
MineClosureStockpiles
Reuse
40Mtofminerockareexpectedtobeusedforsiteconstructionactivities.Useofminerockandoverburdenbeyondthisamountisnotrequired.ThereisnootherforeseenuseofminerockafterProjectclosure.
Stabilizationandcovering/revegetation
Thisalternativewillprovidetherequiredlongtermphysicalandchemicalstabilityoftheresidualstockpiles.Partialcoveringandrevegetationwillexpeditethegrowthofplantsandtrees.
Useinbackfill
Duetominesequencingoftheopenpit,backfillduringtheoperationsphaseisnotpracticable.Backfillingoftheopenpitpostclosureisuneconomical.
Engineeredcover
Engineercoversarerequiredtocontrolmetalsleachingoracidgeneration.TheminerockmanagementplansattheProjectaredesignedtopreventanyacidrockdrainagepotential.Thereforethismorecostlyalternativeisnotrequired.
MineClosureTMF
Permanentflooding
,Thetailingsareconsideredtohaveaverylowpotentialformetalsleachingandacidrockdrainage,thereforethisalternativeisnotrequired.
Coveringandrevegetation
Inthecaseofnonacidgeneratingtailings,suchasforthisProject,thetailingssurfacecanberevegetateddirectlywithouttheneedforalayeroftopsoil.
MineClosureBuildings
Disassemblyandremoval
Thisisacommonpractice,andismorecostly,butdisassemblyandfullremovalofbuildingswillallowtheareatoreturntounobstructedterrestrialhabitat.
ReuseofacceptablebuildingsAtthispoint,itisnotexpectedthattherewouldbeanyfollowupusesforanyoftheonsiteinfrastructure.
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TableES2:SummaryofAlternativeMethodsfortheProject(contd)
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ProjectElement Alternative RationaleforSelection
MineClosureInfrastructure(accessroads,transmissionline)
Decontaminationandremoval
Thisisacommonpractice,ismorecostly,butdisassemblyandfullremovalofinfrastructurewillallowtheareatoreturntounobstructedterrestrialhabitat.
Leaveinplaceforfutureuse
Atthispoint,itisnotexpectedthattherewouldbeanyfollowupusesforanyoftheonsiteinfrastructureand/orthetransmissionline.
ReclaiminplaceThisalternativeismorecostefficientbutlessenvironmentallyfriendlyandnotcompliantwithOntarioclosureregulations.
MineClosureDrainage(watercourserealignments)
Stabilizeandleaveinplace
TheMollieRiversystemrealignmentsarenecessarytosupportthedevelopmentoftheopenpit,MRAandlowgradeorestockpiles.TheBagsverdCreekrealignmentisnecessarytosupportthedevelopmentoftheTMF.ThesefeatureswillneedtoremaininplaceduetotheexistenceoftheMRAandtheTMF.
RemovalAcompleteremovalofrealignmentsisnotpossibleduetotheexistenceoftheMRAandtheTMF.
Note:Shadingindicatespreferredalternatives.
PUBLICANDABORIGINALENGAGEMENTAn important part of theProjectpermittingandplanningprocess is proactiveconsultation with potentiallyaffected and interestedstakeholders, Aboriginalcommunities and governmentagencies. For the Project,consultation has involvedinforming and engaging theserespective Parties about thedevelopment of the Project,responding to their interestsandconcerns,andcontinuingtobuild and maintain positiverelationships. This has been,
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andiscurrentlybeingachieved,bycreatingavenuesfordialogueandinformationexchange(verbalandwritten), and by fostering an ongoing relationship between IAMGOLD and these stakeholder andAboriginalgroups.
The goal of consultation for the Project is to provide stakeholders, Aboriginal communities andgovernmentagencieswithinformationandgathertheirfeedbackabout:
theCompany;
thestatusofexplorationandminingrelatedactivities;
theEAprocessesandrelateddocumentsincludingtheProvincialToRandtheFederalPD;
theenvironmentalbaselinestudiesandanyanticipatedenvironmentaleffectsandassociatedeffectsmanagementstrategies;and
theclosureplanconcepts.
Engagement of Aboriginal communities, local land users and community members, business andcommunityorganizationsandgovernmentagencieswasdonethroughaseriesofactivities, includingholding meetings, hosting open houses, conducting site visits and developing and issuing plainlanguagematerials (fact sheets, newsletters). IAMGOLD is committed to ongoing discussionswithAboriginal communities and other stakeholders about potential Project effects and appropriatemitigationstrategies.
IAMGOLDhasidentifiedthefollowingstakeholdersthathave,orcouldhaveaninterestintheProject:
BusinessandCommunityOrganizations:
CambrianCollege;
CollgeBoral;
GogamaAreaCitizensCommittee;
GogamaAreaChamberofCommerce;
GogamaRecreationCommittee;
GogamaSnowmobileClub;
GreaterSudburyChamberofCommerce;
GreaterSudburyDevelopmentCorporation;
LaurentianUniversity;
MattagamiRegionConservationAuthority;
MesomikendaLakeCottagersAssociation;
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NorthernCollege;
SudburyAreaMiningSupplyandServiceAssociation;
TimminsChamberofCommerce;
TimminsEconomicDevelopmentCorporation;
Locallandandresourceusers(e.g.traplinepermitholders);
Adjacentorlocalminingrightsholders;
Localsmallbusinessowners;and
Localoutfitterandtourismoperators.
EnvironmentalNonGovernmentOrganizations:
MiningWatchCanada;
Northwatch;and
CanadianParksandWildernessSociety(WildlandsLeague).
NonGovernmentOrganizations:
NorthernandOutdoorTourismOntario;
OntarioMiningAssociation;
OntarioProspectorsAssociation;
PorcupineProspectorsandDevelopersAssociation;and
SudburyProspectorsandDevelopers.
AnunderstandingoftheAboriginalcommunitiesthatcouldbeaffectedby,orhavean interest intheCtGoldProjectwasfirstestablishedthroughadvicefromtheMinistryofNorthernDevelopmentandMines (MNDM) toTrelawneyandalso throughadvice from theCanadianEnvironmentalAssessmentAgency (the Agency) based on information provided byAboriginalAffairs andNorthDevelopmentCanada (AANDC).Consideringadvice from regulators, theproposed footprintof the currentProjectdesignandthroughdiscussionwithlocalcommunities,IAMGOLDmadeapreliminarylistofpotentiallyaffectedAboriginalcommunitiesforearlyengagementactivities.
OnMarch6,2013theAgencyinformedIAMGOLDthatthefollowingAboriginalcommunitiesshouldbeconsultedwithrespecttotheProject:
AlgonquinAnishinabegNationTribalCouncil;
BrunswickHouseFirstNation;
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FlyingPostFirstNation;
MattagamiFirstNation;and
MtisFirstNationofOntarioRegion3.
ItwasnotedthatastheFederalEAprogresses,theAgencywillnotify:
BeaverhouseFirstNation;
ChapleauOjibwayFirstNation;and
MatachewanFirstNation.
OnMay23,2013,IAMGOLDreceivedfurtherdirectionfromtheProvincialCrown,throughMNDM,thatthefollowingcommunitiesshouldbeconsultedwithrespecttotheProject:
BrunswickHouseFirstNation;
FlyingPostFirstNation;
MatachewanFirstNation;
MattagamiFirstNation;and
MtisNationofOntario.
During the Spring of 2013 IAMGOLD was also approached by Serpent River First Nation andMChigeengFirstNation, requestingthat IAMGOLDconsultwiththesecommunitiesonthepotentialimpactoftheProjectontheirharvestingrights.
CommentsandquestionsreceivedfromstakeholdersabouttheProjectwereprimarilyregarding:
effectsonwaterqualityanduse(suchaswaterintakeanddischarge,useofcyanide,etc.);
effectsonlocalwatersystems;
effectsonfishandwildlifehabitat;
effectsonlandusessuchasfishing,canoerouteandforestry;
locationandfunctionoftheMRAandtheTMF;
acidrockgenerationstudyresultsandmanagement;
effectsrelatedtonoiseandpotentialdecreasesinpropertyvalueforcottagers;
currentandfutureaccessforlanduserstotheProjectarea;
developmentofalargerskilledworkforceinmining;
effectsrelatedtotheuseofcyanideandtailingdischargeonlanduseandfishpopulations;and
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lackofconsultationplanformanagingcottagerandcommunityrelations.
CommentsandquestionsreceivedfromAboriginalgroupsabouttheProjectwereprimarilyregarding:
waterqualityanddrainingofCtLake;
effectsonwildlifehabitatandabundance;
effectsonfishhabitatandabundance;
effectsonlandusessuchasfishing,camping,trappingandhunting;
developmentofanIBA;
traditionalknowledgeandtraditionallandusestudies;
closureplanningandfinancialassurance;
business,trainingandemploymentopportunities;
effectsonlocalwatersystems;and
developmentofaMOU.
Comments and questions received from government agencies about the Project were primarilyregarding:
terminologyandtechnicalguidanceonthedraftToRandbaselinestudies;
alternativeassessments;
effectsassessments;
waterqualityanduse;
effectsonthelocalwatersystem;
effectsonfishandwildlifehabitat;
effectsonlandandresourceusers;
effectsonsocioeconomicconditions;
resultsofacidrockgenerationstudies;
coordinationoftheProvincialandFederalEAprocesses;
requirementoflandusepermits;
transmissionlinealternatives;
permittingalandfillonsiteforconstructionandoperationspurposes;
noiseeffects;
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archaeologicalandbuiltheritagestudies;
terminologyandtechnicalguidanceontheToR;
locationoflandfillandwastemanagementfacilities;
indicatorsfortheassessmentofalternatives;
abandonedandrehabilitatedminehazards;
powerrequirementsandtheconstructionandoperationofthe230kVtransmissionline;and
locationandfunctionoftheMRAandTMF.
Furthertothetopicslistedabove,thefollowingisasummaryofsomeofthekeycommentsreceivedasofOctober15,2013abouttheProjectfromthegeneralpublic,Aboriginalcommunitiesandleadershiprepresentativesandgovernmentagencies,andhowIAMGOLDhasworkedtoaddressthem.
AcidRockGeneration
Stakeholders inquired about the results of any acid rock generation studies and how thiswould bemanaged.Geochemicaltestingofavailabletailingsmaterialsindicatesthatprincipally,thetailingsarenonpotentially acid generating. The investigations indicated that only 6% of nonore rock samplesindicatedapotentialforfutureacidgenerationandfurther,basedonrockhandlingproceduresandthegeologicstructureoftheorebody,itisnotanticipatedthattheMRAwillgenerateacidrockdrainage.
AdjacentLandUsers
Cottagers onMesomikenda Lake have expressed concern about an increased amount of noise onMesomikendaLake since the commencementofworkat theProjectsexploration site. IAMGOLD isaware that increased activity does generate noise whichmay disturb nearby cottagers. IAMGOLDassures that moving forward with the Project, measures will be taken to minimize the potentialdisruptioncausedbytheoperationsofanexplorationcamp.
CottagersonMesomikendaLake have also expressed concerns about thepotential for futurenoiseeffects from the Project on cottagers, a devaluation of property value and a potential for reducedenjoymentofproperty.Potential futureeffectsoftheProjectonpropertyvalueandnoisehavebeenassessed in theEA. IAMGOLD iscommitted tocontinuingengagementwith theMesomikendaLakeCottagersAssociation, to ensure that appropriatemitigation strategies (e.g.,modification of trafficpatternsat site to reducenoise levels, timingofblasting in theopenpit to limitnoiseandvibrationimpactstocottagers,etc.)aredeveloped,asappropriate.
Business,EmploymentandTrainingOpportunities
Initialdiscussionsbetween IAMGOLDandstakeholdershighlighted thedesire to increase labourandtraining capacity in the region and theneed to integrate academia and the business community to
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attract people and investment into the regional Project area. In response to this, IAMGOLD hascompleted a labour effects assessment as part of the socioeconomic effects assessment for thisProject.
IAMGOLD has been actively discussing education and training in addition to employment andprocurementopportunitieswithAboriginalgroupsaspartof theongoing ImpactBenefitAgreementnegotiations. IAMGOLD is also developing practices to facilitate the procurement of Aboriginalventuresand labour supply.Fundingand trainingprograms for localAboriginal communitieswillbeinitiatedasdevelopmentprospectsfortheProjectarefirmedup.
MineClosure
StakeholdergroupshaveinquiredaboutIAMGOLDsexperiencewithmineclosureandwhatassuranceswouldbe inplace for rehabilitationof themine site.Therewerealsoquestions related towhat theProject sitewould look likeafter closureandwhetherornotAboriginalgroups couldbe involved inreclamation planning. IAMGOLD has assured stakeholders that they have experience with closureplanninginCanadaaswellasotherpartsoftheworld.
IAMGOLDmustfileClosurePlansandpostfinancialassurancewithProvincialauthoritiessothefundsareavailableforclosureandreclamation,ifrequired.CurrentclosureplansaretoreturntheProjectsitetoanaturalizedstateatclosure,howeverthroughouttheconsultationphasesoftheEA,IAMGOLD isinterestedinhearingfeedbackonthemanagementobjectivesoftheclosureplan.
MineRockAreaandTailingsManagementFacility
Stakeholdersidentifiedconcernsabouttheplanstostoreminerockandtailingsspecificallyrelatedtoacidrockgeneration,locationandsize.AspartofthealternativesassessmentrequiredfortheProject,IAMGOLD considered amultitude of locations for bothmine rock areas and tailingsmanagementfacilities. In accordance with approvedmethodologies, these sites were then narrowed down andpresented in the Project Description and draft Terms of Reference. Based on public commentsreceived, technical suitability, cost and environmental effects two mine rock areas close toMesomikendaLakehavenotbeenremovedfromtheproposedProject.
PotentialEffectsonWaterResources,WaterQualityandWaterBodies
StakeholdergroupshaveraisedconcernsaboutthenatureandextentofpotentialeffectsoftheProjectonwater.Specifically,questionsaroundthe impactonaquatichabitat,thedrainingofCtLakeandrealignmentswere raised. IAMGOLD iscommitted todesigningwatercourse realignments toconveyflows inanaturalmanner,andwherepossible, toenhance theecological functionof thewatershed.With respect to the draining of Ct Lake, IAMGOLDwill offset the loss of fish habitatwithin theadjacentlakesorstreams,tomaintaintheexistingfishcommunities.Inaddition,thehabitatpopulation
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willbemonitoredthroughoutthe lifeoftheProjectandafterclosuretoensurethepopulationthrivesandfisharehealthy.
Stakeholders also expressed concern about unintended tailings releases and potential watercontamination. IAMGOLD has assured stakeholders that the Companywill design andmanage theProjectusingprovenandeffectivesystemsforcontainmentandstoragetoavoidunintendedreleases.IAMGOLD is committed to recycling as much water as possible to reduce demands on adjacentwaterbodiesandlimitthereleaseofmineeffluent.
TraditionalKnowledge,LandUseandProjectAgreements
Aboriginalgroups raisedconcern that theTraditionalKnowledgeandTraditionalLandUse (TK/TLU)studieswouldbetoonarrowlyfocusedonpresentusesoftheProjectsitearea.Asthesestudieshelptodefine the potential impacts of the Project on local communities, IAMGOLD andMattagami FirstNationformedaworkinggrouptodiscussquestionsthatshouldbeaskedtocommunitymembers.Asaresult, theTK/TLU studieshavea regional focus,andalsoconsider thepastandpresentusesof theProjectsitewithinthelivingmemoryofcommunitymembers.Thestudiesalsomakenoteofhistoricalusesof the land thatmayhavebeenpreviouslydisplacedbyand/orhave thepotential tobe furtherimpactedby futureminingactivities. IAMGOLDwill relyon theTK/TLU studiesaspartof theEA toensureadequateAboriginalcommunityinputhasbeenreceivedaspartoftheprocess.
WabunTribalCouncil,MattagamiFirstNationandFlyingPostFirstNation initiatednegotiationofanImpactBenefitAgreementwith IAMGOLD to address the potential impacts of the Project on theirTreatyrights.Additionally,IAMGOLDhasinitiatednegotiationswiththeMtisNationofOntarioonaMemorandum of Understanding. These negotiations are ongoing, and the agreement is beingdevelopedinparallelwiththeEAandpermittingprocess.
TransmissionLineAlignments
GiventhatIAMGOLDisproposingthepotentialdevelopmentofanewrouteforthepowertransmissionline,theMinistryofNaturalResources identifiedthat IAMGOLDwouldberequiredtoassessrelevantpublic value, consider alternative sources of power, outline the advantages and disadvantage ofdifferentroutesandidentifythevariouspotentialeffectsofthefeasibleoptions.
Stakeholdershaveexpressedsomeconcernsabouttheconstructionofanew230kVtransmissionlinein theProjectarea.Consequently, IAMGOLD isaddressing theseconcerns in theEAbyoutlining thepotentialeffectsonwildlifeandpotential increase in traffic in thearea.Furthermore, IAMGOLDhastakentheseconcerns intoconsiderationbyproposingthatthetransmission linewouldberemovedatclosure to rehabilitate the site, unless otherwise negotiated with Aboriginal groups and/or localcommunities.
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WasteManagement
TheMinistry of Environment identified that placement of domesticwaste in local landfillsmust beplanned ahead of time to ensure that landfills have capacity. IAMGOLD has identified that theirdomesticwasteandrecycledmaterialiscurrentlytransportedtotheTimminsarealandfillandrecyclingfacility, but the Company is in the process ofworking in partnership with theMinistry of NaturalResourcestorehabilitatedandexpandanexistingnearbyfacility.
HUMANHEALTHANDECOLOGICALRISKASSESSMENTUnacceptable health risks to human health receptors are not expected tooccurasaresultoftheProject. Themodellingstudypredictsapotentialforincreased exposure to impaired air quality. These periods are transient innatureanddependentonthefinalProjectboundaries.Asaresult,exposureisexpectedtobemuchlessthanthatpredictedbymodelling.
Intermsofrisktoecologicalreceptors,nounacceptablerisksattributabletoProjectrelated emissions and discharges were identified for terrestrialreceptors.Foraquatic receptors,whilemodelling identifiedexceedancesofaquatic health benchmarks for certain substances and receivingenvironments, compared to riskbased toxicological reference values, nounacceptableriskwasidentified.
ACCIDENTSANDMALFUNCTIONSPotential accidents and malfunctions that could affect the environment should they occur at theProject once in operation were identified to aid the preparation of emergency response andcontingency plans for the Project. Each credible potential accident andmalfunction identifiedwassubjectedtoariskassessmenttodetermineitslikelihoodofoccurrenceandmeasureofenvironmentalconsequence.Noaccidentsandmalfunctionswerefoundtobeofhighrisk.
IAMGOLD is committed tooperate theProject, should itbeapproved, to thehighest standards foroperation,securityandhealthandsafety.
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SUMMARYOFENVIRONMENTALEFFECTSASSESSMENT,MITIGATIONMEASURESANDPROPOSEDSIGNIFICANCEDETERMINATIONTheidentificationofpotentialeffectsisbasedonananalysisof the interactionsof the variousProject componentswiththe physical, biological and human environments. Effectsassessmentindicatorsareaspectsofthephysical,biologicaland human environment that are particularly notable orvaluedbecauseoftheirecological,scientific,resource,socioeconomic, cultural, health, aesthetic, or spiritualimportance, and which have a potential to be adverselyaffectedbyProjectdevelopment.
The prediction of environmental effects consists of thefollowingsteps:
Selectionofeffectsassessment indicators: Identificationofeffectsassessment indicators foreachdisciplinethatareused,whereappropriate,tocharacterizehowtheProjectcouldaffecttheenvironment.The indicatorsensure that the impactassessment ispractical, conciseandrelevant,andindicatorsarechosensuchthattheyrepresenttheeffectsontheenvironmentasawhole.
Selection of study areas: Definition of study areas to describe the geographic extent ofpotentialenvironmentaleffects.
Predictionofeffects:Basedon theProjectdesign, includingmitigation,effectsarepredictedthroughmodellingorqualitativeanalysis.Incarryingouttheenvironmentaleffectsanalysis,anumberofanalyticalmethodsandtoolshavebeenutilizedand include laboratorytests,massbalancecalculations,statisticalpackagesandvarioustypesofmodels. Itshouldbenotedthattheprocessofpredictingeffectsanddevelopingmitigationmeasuresisinherentlyiterative.
Identificationofmitigationmeasures:EngineeringandProjectdesignmodificationsselectedtolimittheeffectoftheProjectontheenvironment.
Determination of significance: Based on the results of the prediction of effects and theapplication of mitigation measures, the significance of the impact is assessed throughpredetermined assessment criteria (magnitude, geographic extent, duration, frequency,reversibilityandlikelihood)andadecisiontree.
Ifan impact isdeterminedtobesignificant, itwouldnotbeacceptablefortheProject. Insuchcases,furthermitigation,monitoringandmanagementmeasureswouldbedevelopedand incorporated toreducethesignificancelevel.
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The Project has been designed such that all impacts have been assessed to be not significant.KeyenvironmentaleffectspredictedfortheProjectaredescribedbelow.
ThepredictionofairqualitydeterminedthatparticulatematterlevelsmayinfrequentlybehigherthanAmbientAirQuality Criteria in a small area proximate to themodelled Project site boundary. Theparticulatematter levels are predicted to be below theAmbientAirQualityCriteria at each of thesensitive receptors (cottages) located within the local study area. All other air quality assessmentindicatorsweredeterminedtobebelowtheAmbientAirQualityCriteriaatalltimes.
Itisexpectedthatdaytimenoiselevelsatreceptorlocationswillbeat,orbelowbaselineambientnoiselevels.Nighttimenoise levelsmayexceedbaselineambientnoise levelsat some receptor locations.Withmitigationapplied,itispredictedthattheProjectwillmeetapplicablenoiseguidelinesatreceptorlocationsduringdaytimeandnighttime.
ThewatermanagementsystemattheProjectsitewillbesetupsuchthatprocesswaterwillberecycledinordertominimizewater intakeandeffluentdischarges. Itshouldalsobenotedthatcyanide levelswillbereducedpriortodischargetotheTMFviaacyanidedestructionsystemandthatnowaterwillbedischargedfromtheTMFtotheenvironment.Althoughfinaleffluenttreatmentisnotexpectedtoberequired, IAMGOLDwill treat, as necessary, to ensure that any effluentmeets applicable receivingwatercriteriaandisprotectiveofaquaticspecies.
Fish habitat will be affected by the construction of retention dams and watercourse realignmentsrequiredtoaccommodatetheremovalofCtLakeandthedevelopmentoftheopenpitandtheTMF.Thewatercourse realignment designwill offset the loss of fish habitatwithin the adjacent lakes orstreams,tomaintaintheexistingfishcommunitiesandfisheries.
Terrestrial habitat will be affected as a result of Project site development and transmission lineconstruction.Habitatremovalwillaffectlocalwildlifespeciesbutthehabitatsthatwillberemovedarecommonplace in the regional environment. It is expected that therewill be nomeasurable residualeffecttopopulationabundanceanddistribution.
With effects management strategies in place, it is expected that there may be effects to socioeconomicindicators,however,thesearepredictedtobewithinthenormalrangeofvariabilityandarenot substantive enough to require government or community investment. A number of positiveeconomiceffectsarepredicted in relation toemploymentandbusinessopportunities.TheProject isalsoexpectedtogeneratefederalandprovincialgovernmentrevenues.
TheProjectmayaffectareasusedfortraditionalandnontraditionallandusessuchasfishing,huntingandcanoeingbut isnotexpectedto limittheabilitytocarryoutthosetraditionalandnontraditionalactivitiesinthearea.
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Tables ES3 to ES6 present the effects,mitigation and significance determination for each effectsassessment indicator during the construction, operations, closure and postclosure phases,respectively.IndicatorsandeffectsthatareshadedindicatealinktoSection5ofCEAA2012.
AnumberofpotentialeffectsthattheenvironmentcouldhaveontheProjecthavebeenidentifiedforassessment based on guidance provided from regulatory agencies and experiencewith othermineenvironmentalassessments:
watersupplyavailability;
naturalhazards;and
climatechange.
TheproposedProject isbeingplannedanddesigned,andwillbeconstructedandoperated,withdueconsiderationofthelocalenvironmentalconditionsinandaroundtheProjectsite.
WithregardstoclimatechangeeffectsontheProject,theoveralleffectofclimatechangeacrossthecompleteensembleofclimatechangeprojectionsontheCtGoldProjectsitewillbeanetincreaseintheoverallwaterbalance.Thereisalsothepotentialforahigherdegreeofepisodicprecipitationeventsleading topulsesofhigher than usual runoff.However, thewaterbalance for theProjecthasbeenreviewedwithregardstoitsabilitytoaccommodatethesechangesandithasbeendeterminedthatthecurrentdesignandwaterbalancearesuitable.
CUMULATIVEEFFECTSSeveralprojectsofvaryingscopeandscalerelatingtominingandexploration,forestryand,toalesserdegree,transportation,electricityandmunicipaldevelopment,areinthevicinityoftheProject.Therearenoknownproposedorplannedprojectsthatwouldbeexpectedtohaveacumulativeadverseeffecton effects assessment indicators defined for the Project. The cumulative effects which have beenidentifiedareanticipatedtobeeitherneutral(insignificant)orpositive.Thoughdifficulttoquantify,itisexpected that the combinedprojectswill lead topopulationgrowth in the local communities in thevicinityoftheProject,andisconsideredtobeapositiveanddesirableeffect.
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TableES3: ImpactAssessmentMatrixfortheConstructionPhase
Discipline Indicator EffectMitigation/EffectsManagement
MeasuresMagnitude Extent Duration Frequency Reversibility
ResidualImpact
Significance
LikelihoodoftheEffect
AirQuality
SuspendedParticulate
Matter(Dust)asTotalParticulateMatter(PMtot.)
Changesinairqualityduetoparticulateemissionsfromconstructionactivities.Theseactivitiesincludesitepreparationandconstruction,openpitoverburdenstrippingandstockpilingandonsiteroadtraffic.
DustBestManagementPlan(DBMP) IAMGOLDiscommittingtomeetingFederaland/orProvincialcriteriaatthepropertyboundary
LevelII LevelII LevelI LevelI LevelI
Notsignificant
Likely
ConcentrationsarebelowFederal
and/orProvincialcriteria
(
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Discipline Indicator EffectMitigation/EffectsManagement
MeasuresMagnitude Extent Duration Frequency Reversibility
ResidualImpact
Significance
LikelihoodoftheEffect
AirQualityNitrogenDioxide(NO2);1Hour
Average
Changesinairqualityduetogaseousemissionsfromconstructionactivities,mainlyvehicleexhausts.
EngineMaintenanceProgram EquipmentcompliantwithTransportCanadavehicleemissionsrequirements
LevelII LevelII LevelI LevelI LevelI
Notsignificant
Likely
ConcentrationsarebelowFederal
and/orProvincialcriteria
(
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TableES3:ImpactAssessmentMatrixfortheConstructionPhase(contd)
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Discipline Indicator EffectMitigation/EffectsManagement
MeasuresMagnitude Extent Duration Frequency Reversibility
ResidualImpact
Significance
LikelihoodoftheEffect
AirQualityHydrogen
Cyanide(HCN);24HourAverage
Nocyanideisusedduringtheconstructionphase.Therefore,thiseffectisnotassessedduringtheconstructionphase.
Notapplicable
Noise&Vibration
DaytimeNoiseLevel
Changesinnoiselevelsduetoconstructionactivities,includingequipmentmovement,haulageandstockpilingoperations.
1kmsetbackdistancestobekeptattheProjectsitebetweentheconstructionlocationandthereceptors. ConstructionequipmentnottoexceednoiselevelsspecifiedinNPC115andNPC118.
LevelII LevelII LevelI LevelIII LevelI
Notsignificant
Likely
Noiselevelabovedaytimebaseline(44dBA)and
beloworequalto45dBA.
Effectextendsintothelocal
studyarea.
Thedurationoftheeffectislessthanorequalto2years.
Effectoccursfrequentlyorcontinuously.
Effectisfullyreversible.
Noise&Vibration
NighttimeNoiseLevel
Changesinnoiselevelsduetoconstructionactivities,includingequipmentmovement,haulageandstockpilingoperations.
1kmsetbackdistancestobekeptattheProjectsitebetweentheconstructionlocationandthereceptors. ConstructionequipmentnottoexceednoiselevelsspecifiedinNPC115andNPC118.
LevelIII LevelII LevelI LevelIII LevelI
Notsignificant
LikelyNoiselevelabove40dBA.
Effectextendsintothelocal
studyarea.
Thedurationoftheeffectislessthanorequalto2years.
Effectoccursfrequentlyorcontinuously.
Effectisfullyreversible.
Noise&Vibration
BlastingNoiseLevel
ChangesinairvibrationlevelsduetoconstructionactivitiesattheProjectsiteandnearwatercourserealignments.Blastingisexpectedtooccurinfrequentlyduringtheconstructionphase.
ChargesizeofconstructionblastingoutsideoftheopenpitboundarywillbesuchthattheobjectivesofNPC119willbeachieved. BlastingchargesizeintheopenpitisplannedtobeincompliancewithNPC119.
LevelII LevelII LevelI LevelII LevelI
Notsignificant
Likely
Blastingnoiselevelabovetheadjustedbaselinenoiselevel(39dBA)butbelowtheregulatorylimit
of120dBL.
Effectextendsintothelocal
studyarea.
Thedurationoftheeffectislessthanorequalto2years.
Effectoccursintermittentlyorwithacertain
degreeofregularity.
Effectisfullyreversible.
Noise&Vibration
BlastingVibrationLevel
Changesingroundvibrationlevelsduetoconstructionactivities.Blastingexpectedtooccurinfrequentlyduringtheconstructionphase.
ChargesizeofconstructionblastingoutsideoftheopenpitboundarywillbesuchthattheobjectivesofNPC119willbeachieved. BlastingchargesizeintheopenpitisplannedtobeincompliancewithNPC119..
LevelII LevelII LevelI LevelII LevelI
Notsignificant
Likely
Blastingvibrationlevelatthe
receptorisaboveperceptible
vibrationlevel(0.14mm/s)and
belowtheregulatorylimit
(10mm/s).
Effectextendsintothelocal
studyarea.
Thedurationoftheeffectislessthanorequalto2years.
Effectoccursintermittentlyorwithacertain
degreeofregularity.
Effectisfullyreversible.
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TableES3:ImpactAssessmentMatrixfortheConstructionPhase(contd)
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Discipline Indicator EffectMitigation/EffectsManagement
MeasuresMagnitude Extent Duration Frequency Reversibility
ResidualImpact
Significance
LikelihoodoftheEffect
Hydrology ChangeinFlow
StreamflowchangesduetoconstructionofvariousProjectcomponents,suchaswatercourserealignments,TMFandMRA.
Notapplicable LevelI LevelII LevelI LevelIII LevelII
Notsignificant
Likely
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Discipline Indicator EffectMitigation/EffectsManagement
MeasuresMagnitude Extent Duration Frequency Reversibility
ResidualImpact
Significance
LikelihoodoftheEffect
AquaticBiology
LossofAquaticHabitat
LossofaquatichabitatduetoconstructionofProjectcomponents.LotichabitataffectedincludesMollieRiver,ClamCreekandBagsverdCreek.LentichabitataffectedincludesCtLake,BeaverPond,ClamLake,LittleClamLake,UnnamedPond#3andEastBeaverPond.
SpawninghabitatwithinthewaterbodiesaffectedwillbeincludedintheFisheriesActAuthorizationforthesiteasalossofhabitatandwillbeaddressedthroughthecompensationplan(includingmodificationstoensureflow,fishpassageanduseofhabitats). Designoftherealignmentchannelswillincorporatethelifecyclerequirementsoftheresidentfishspeciesandpromote,wherepossible,anincreaseinhabitat.
LevelI LevelII LevelI LevelIII LevelII
Notsignificant
Notlikely
Lessthan10%oflotichabitat
(streamlengthm)and/orlentic
habitat(lakeaream2)withinthelocal
studyarea.
Effectextendsintothelocal
studyarea.
Thedurationoftheeffectislessthanorequalto2years.
Effectoccursfrequentlyorcontinuously.
Effectispartially
reversible.
TerrestrialBiology
UplandPlantCommunity
Types
Vegetationlossduetositeclearing.TheProjectispredictedtoalterapproximately1,800haofthelandcover.
LimittheareaofProjectfootprintanddisturbancefromemployeesandminingactivities. Constructthe230kVtransmissionlinetominimizepotentialforgrounddisturbanceandsoilerosion,anduseexistingroadsandrailsaspracticable. Rehabilitatehabitatforplantsaspracticable. Limit/preventthetransferofinvasiveplantspeciesfromequipmentandimportedsoil.
LevelI LevelI LevelI LevelIII LevelII
Notsignificant
Notlikely
Thereisnomeasurable
residualeffecttotheabundanceand
distributionofplantpopulationsandcommunities.
EffectisrestrictedtotheProjectfootprint.
Thedurationoftheeffectislessthanorequalto2years.
Effectoccursfrequentlyorcontinuously.
Effectispartially
reversible.
TerrestrialBiology
Wetlands
Lossofwetlandareasduetositeclearing.TheProjectispredictedtoalterapproximately185haofwetlands.
Wherepractical,avoidplacementofstructuresinwaterbodiesalongthetransmissionlineROW,andtotheextentpracticable,inlowlyingareas.
LevelI LevelI LevelI LevelIII LevelII
Notsignificant
Notlikely
Thereisnomeasurable
residualeffecttotheabundanceand
distributionofplantpopulationsandcommunities.
EffectisrestrictedtotheProjectfootprint.
Thedurationoftheeffectislessthanorequalto2years.
Effectoccursfrequentlyorcontinuously.
Effectispartially
reversible.
TerrestrialBiology
VegetationSpeciesatRisk,
SpeciesofSpecialConcernandProvinciallyRareSpecies
NopredictedeffectonSpeciesatRisk,SpeciesofSpecialConcernandProvinciallyRareSpeciesasnonewereidentifiedduringbaselinedatacollection.Therefore,thiseffectisnotassessed.
Notapplicable
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TableES3:ImpactAssessmentMatrixfortheConstructionPhase(contd)
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Discipline Indicator EffectMitigation/EffectsManagement
MeasuresMagnitude Extent Duration Frequency Reversibility
ResidualImpact
Significance
LikelihoodoftheEffect
TerrestrialBiology
Ungulates
Potentialchangeinungulatespopulationabundanceanddistributionduetohabitatremovalduringtheconstructionphase.Siteconstructionwillremoveanestimated1,106haofsuitablemoosewinterhabitatand1,074haofsuitablemoosesummerhabitat.Additionaleffectsarepotentiallyassociatedwithgeneraldisturbanceandvehicularcollisions.
ReduceriskofmortalitytowildlifeMinimizeconstructionofnewroads NohuntingbyProjectpersonnel EnforcespeedlimitsonProjectroads Awarenesstrainingsforemployees
LevelI LevelIII LevelI LevelIII LevelII
Notsignificant
Notlikely
Thereisnomeasurable
residualeffecttopopulation
abundanceanddistribution.
Effectextendsintotheregionalstudyarea.
Thedurationoftheeffectislessthanorequalto2years.
Effectoccursfrequentlyorcontinuously.
Effectispartially
reversible.
TerrestrialBiology
Furbearers
Potentialchangeinfurbearerspopulationabundanceanddistributionduetohabitatremovalduringtheconstructionphase.Siteconstructionwillremoveanestimated355haofsuitablebeaverhabitat.Between1,074and1,266haofsuitableblackbear,easternwolf,andAmericanmartenhabitatwillberemovedfromconstructionoftheProject.Additionaleffectsarepotentiallyassociatedwithgeneraldisturbanceandvehicularcollisions.
Reduceriskofmortalitytowildlife Minimizeconstructionofnewroads NohuntingbyProjectpersonnel EnforcespeedlimitsonProjectroads Awarenesstrainingsforemployees
LevelI LevelIII LevelI LevelIII LevelII
Notsignificant
Notlikely
Thereisnomeasurable
residualeffecttopopulation
abundanceanddistribution.
Effectextendsintotheregionalstudyarea.
Thedurationoftheeffectislessthanorequalto2years.
Effectoccursfrequentlyorcontinuously.
Effectispartially
reversible.
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TableES3:ImpactAssessmentMatrixfortheConstructionPhase(contd)
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Discipline Indicator EffectMitigation/EffectsManagement
MeasuresMagnitude Extent Duration Frequency Reversibility
ResidualImpact
Significance
LikelihoodoftheEffect
TerrestrialBiology
MigratoryBirds
Potentialchangeinmigratorybirdspopulationabundanceanddistributionduetohabitatremovalduringtheconstructionphase.Siteconstructionwillremove99and216haofsuitablenightjar,olivesidedflycatcher,rustyblackbird,andwaterbirdhabitat.TheProjectispredictedtoremove1,203and1,233haofsuitableCanadawarblerandtreenestingraptorhabitat,respectively.TheProjectisnotanticipatedtoremoveanysuitableshortearedowlhabitat.Additionaleffectsarepotentiallyassociatedwithgeneraldisturbanceandvehicularcollisions.
Limitriskofnestdestructionandmortalityofmigratorybirds ConstructthetransmissionlineROWoutsideofthemigratorybirdbreedingseason Installconductorwiresatasufficientdistancea