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

Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Springpole Gold Access Corridor Project
Final Environmental Study Report
GCU hired technicians from Cat Lake, Slate Falls and Lac Seul First Nations to
participate alongside the licensed professional archaeologists from Horizon to complete
the archaeological assessment of the eastern corridor and general area north of
Springpole Lake.
Dr. David Slattery from Horizon Archaeology conducted Open House information sessions in
the Protocol Nation communities in May to solicit feedback on Traditional Knowledge for the
archaeological survey.
In the Stage 1 assessment one technician participated in the visual documentation of
most of the study area.
In Stages 2 and 3, the technicians were involved in a hands-on assessment of the
locations identified as having archaeological potential, and were responsible for finding a
significant portion of the artifacts discovered. These technicians served as liaisons to
their communities and participated in the Open House information session conducted in
Cat Lake First Nation in June.
Archaeologically significant sites were identified in the vicinity of the Birch River crossing
and also south of Dole Lake. These findings were presented by Dr. David Slattery of
Horizon via open-house style information sessions to the communities of Cat Lake First
Nation on 27 June 2012 and to Slate Falls and Lac Seul First Nations on 30 July 2012.
On 7 August 2012, the Chiefs of the Protocol Nations consented to the Stage 3
archaeological assessment work for both of these archaeological sites. Horizon
completed the Stage 3 work for both of these sites with support from the Aboriginal
technicians.
After the Stage 3 assessment was completed, to better define the spatial extent of these
archaeological sites, GCU then modified the access corridor to avoid these sensitive
sites.
GCU has developed a working draft Chance Find Procedure and has integrated it into
the site-specific orientation that all site personnel receive prior to commencing work.
Biological Assessment Work
GCU hired technicians from Cat Lake and Slate Falls First Nations to assist DST with
aquatic and terrestrial assessment work along the eastern corridor and general area
associated with Springpole Lake. The field work focussed on assessing the potential use
of the area by sturgeon and caribou. At least one (1) technician participated in all field
programs, with the exception of minnow trapping that was conducted between July 6 and
July 12. Report findings are presented in DST (2012).
Mr. Terry Honsberger of DST presented the findings of the studies and sturgeon
assessment plans at the May in concert with the presentations by Horizon. At these
meetings, comments were solicited from meeting participants regarding the traditional
knowledge of sturgeon in Springpole Lake. While some feedback was provided at these
meetings, no participants suggested that sturgeon have been harvested or observed in
Springpole Lake. One participant noted that he thought there were sturgeon in the Birch
River where it enters Springpole Lake (Springpole Arm) although he hadn’t caught any
there himself.
Consistent with the request from First Nation communities, biological assessment reports
will not be issued as final until they are discussed with the First Nation communities.
3.1.5 Skills Transfer and Capacity Building Initiatives
To be consistent with the current Mining Act modernization objective related to skills transfer, GCU
has integrated skills transfer and capacity building initiatives into the Springpole Gold Project. GCU
has had significant successes involving businesses and individuals from local Aboriginal
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