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

Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final Environmental Study Report Review
March 30, 2013
“This rehabilitation that GCU is prepared to undertake is pending input from other parties
that include, but are not limited to, Cat Lake First Nation, Domtar and MNR. It is
understood that some of these parties may potentially have an interest in having some or
all of the road and water crossings remaining in place. This modified use of the eastern
corridor would be subject to a new environmental assessment and approvals process (ESR
page 49).”
GCU further avoids addressing the issue of eastern corridor rehabilitation directly, by
stating that: “In the event that the Springpole Gold Project becomes fully permitted and
proceeds to a production phase, the rehabilitation of the access corridor would be within the
scope of the Closure Plan that is filed pursuant to Part VII of the Mining Act and MNDM’s
requirements regarding the financial assurance provision for the entire development (ESR
page 49).”
Review of Part VII of the Ontario Mining Act provides no specific recommendations
for corridor rehabilitation. Given that GCU seeks to implement a road through 645
km 2 of valued forest, Stakeholders are requesting the GCU be required to place a
“Reclamation Bond” for 100% of the rehabilitation costs with the OMNR. GCU must
also disclose the total amount required for rehabilitation of 645 km 2 of land to
Stakeholders, First Nation communities, etc.
Note: According to the Springpole Preliminary Economic Assessment, roughly $20 million
is planned to be set aside for Springpole mine closure and rehabilitation: No indication of
how much reserved for eastern corridor rehabilitation. To date, GCU has not indicated how
much it will cost to put in a seasonal road, nor the amount required to rehabilitation 645
km 2 of land.
This raises serious questions of whether GCU understands how much it will cost to
rehabilitate the eastern corridor, timelines associated with rehabilitation and if they
even have the financial capital sufficient for the undertaking.
If the eastern corridor is constructed, and GCU lacks the capital to initiate
rehabilitation, tax payers will end up covering the cost!
Recommendation: The OMNR require that GCU secure a reclamation bond for 100% of
the costs associated with rehabilitation of the eastern corridor.
Recommendation: The OMNR and GCU will disclose to Stakeholders, First Nation
communities and the public the amount required to rehabilitate 645 km 2 of old growth
boreal forest and woodland caribou habitat.
Recommendation: GCU develop a road closure and rehabilitation plan for the eastern
corridor in conjunction with Stakeholders, First Nation communities and the public, which
is to be developed prior to approval of the project.
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