Revised Final Environmental Study Report (24 MB) - Gold Canyon ...

Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final Environmental Study Report Review
March 30, 2013
Within the Aquatics baseline Report, it has been identified that there is a dramatic
elevation in heavy metals in Springpole compared to what is approved in Provincial
Water Quality Objectives (PWQO) (Section 4.4). GCU has been conducting
exploratory drilling in Springpole for many years, which strongly supports the
possibility that GCU drilling activities are polluting Springpole.
If GCU activities are found to increase the heavy metal content in Springpole and
surrounding lakes, they will be in direct violation of the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act.
Relevant Acts that are missing from GCU ESR but are not limited to:
Ontario Water Resources Act
Ontario Heritage Act
Expropriations Act
Ontario Road Access Act
Federal Species At Risk Act – vascular plants and mosses
Ontario Endangered Species Act – vascular plants and mosses
3.2 Ontario Water Resources Act
As previously discussed within the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act, there is a
responsibility of the proponent to ensure that lakes and rivers are not contaminated by
their activities. In addition to that, given that Springpole and surrounding lakes provide
drinking water tourist operations and private land-owners, there is an additional
requirement that the pristine lakes are kept free of contaminants. Given the Preliminary
Economic Assessment (PEA) was completed after the ESR submission by GCU, there is no
discussion of how such matters as “dike construction”, “dewatering” and “open pit
development” will be addressed within the context of existing water regulations.
Ontario Water Resources Act: Water, 2011, c. 9, Sched. 27, s. 36
“Purpose
0.1 The purpose of this Act is to provide for the conservation, protection and
management of Ontario’s waters and for their efficient and sustainable use, in order to
promote Ontario’s long-term environmental, social and economic well-being. 2007, c. 12,
s. 1 (1).”
“Examination for pollution
(2) The Minister may examine any surface waters or ground waters in Ontario from
time to time to determine what, if any, pollution exists and the causes thereof. R.S.O. 1990,
c. O.40, s. 29 (2).”
“Injunction to prevent pollution of water
(3) Where any person is discharging or causing or permitting the discharge of any
material of any kind into or in or near any waters that, in the opinion of the Minister, may
impair the quality of the water in such waters, the Minister may apply without notice to the
Superior Court of Justice for an order prohibiting such discharge for such period not
exceeding twenty-one days and on such terms and conditions as a judge considers proper, and
such order may, on application to the Court, be continued for such period and on such terms
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