Magino Gold Project — Environmental Assessment Decision

January 24, 2019 — Ottawa — Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the environment and our natural heritage while growing our economy.

Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced that the Magino Gold Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects when mitigation measures are taken into account. The project, proposed by Prodigy Gold Incorporated, consists of the construction, operation, decommissioning, and abandonment of an open pit gold mine and onsite metal mill located near Dubreuilville, Ontario. The project, valued at $427 million, could create up to 550 jobs during construction and 350 during operations over the life of the project, according to figures provided by the proponent.

In making her decision, the Minister considered the Environmental Assessment Report and the comments received from the public and Indigenous groups. The Government's Interim Approach and Principles for environmental assessments ensures that project decisions are informed by meaningful consultations with Indigenous peoples, public input and scientific evidence, including Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, and an assessment of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Minister's Decision Statement establishes 120 conditions to protect fish and fish habitat, migratory birds, human health, the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes, and species at risk, and includes mitigation measures and requirements for a follow-up program that the proponent must fulfill.

For example, to mitigate potential environmental effects, the proponent will be required to manage effluent and surface water quality to protect fish and fish habitat, undertake progressive reclamation of the land, and minimize emissions of dust.

This decision follows a thorough and science-based environmental assessment conducted by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency with the participation of Indigenous groups, the public, and federal departments including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Health Canada, and Transport Canada.

Following this decision, the proponent will be required to obtain additional authorizations and permits from federal departments. The Agency will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing legally-binding conditions under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.