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

Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Springpole Gold Access Corridor Project
Final Environmental Study Report
Summary of Issue GCU View and Mitigation Measure(s) Status (1) / Implementation Strategy
10. Social issues created in
First Nation community of Cat
Lake as a result of all-weather
access road to their
community (drug smuggling).
11. Noise and light pollution
from the work site disturbs
fishing outpost guests
12. Impacts to fish habitat,
particularly in the vicinity of the
Birch River crossing
13. Impact to water quality in
Springpole and Birch Lakes
during exploration and mining
phases of the project
14. Increased access to the
area resulting in increased
break-ins and vandalism of
remote cabins.
15. Impacts to caribou and
their habitat
16. Increased angling pressure
on Springpole Lake due to
GCU personnel.
GCU shall endeavour to restrict all access to the Birch River system from the road through bridge design, which would
make it very difficult to launch a boat into the river at or near the bridge. GCU will also seek to secure tenure of the land
through a Land Use Permit at the end of the approved FMP portion of the road to allow construction of a gate at this
location, effectively restricting access into the area north of this point.
GCU maintains an open-door policy in order to receive concerns so that the specific sources can be identified and
addressed. Mitigation measures are currently being evaluated, which may include but are not necessarily limited to:
replacement of back-up alarms with after-market "white noise alarms" or strobe lights on heavy equipment, improved
mufflers on heavy equipment and positioning of muffler exhausts lower to the ground to reduce the distance that noise
travels, construction of housing around genset and other stationary noise sources, acoustic insulation in engine housings of
mobile equipment, enclosures/barriers around drill rigs and implementation of special procedures to reduce the noise from
rod handling. GCU will ensure that lights are angled downward and/or shroud the light sources to minimize straying.
The proposed Project consists of timber harvesting and corridor construction with water crossings. This is routine work that has
been conducted in Ontario for decades and the environmental protection measures are well-proven and established. GCU shall
adhere to the best practice guidance documents referenced herein. GCU has adequate staff to ensure these prescriptive
environmental protection requirements will be followed during project execution. As well, GCU is committing to having the Project
overseen by a qualified professional and a compliance audit by a Registered Professional Forester following construction of the
road.
GCU has installed a best-in-class sewage treatment plant to service the tent camp. GCU's current preliminary exploration
activities respect the applicable government requirements from MNR, MOE and DFO. If a production phase is proposed,
GCU will first have to complete a comprehensive environmental assessment, then obtain several prescriptive approvals that
will require a rigorous end-of-pipe sampling and lake sampling program to ensure that water quality is maintained within the
stringent government requirements throughout the entire course of the construction / mining / closure development
sequence. In addition, GCU would comply with the mining sector legislation including the federal Metal Mining Effluent
Regulations and the provincial MISA regulation 560/94 under the Environmental Protection Act. Before the mine could open
up, financial assurance would have to be provided to MNDM with a closure plan, pursuant to Part VII of the Mining Act.
Together, this provides a prescription to rehabilitate the land and the money to carry out the rehabilitation work. The site
would not become a negative environmental legacy in the area nor would it become an orphan site. Any additional Project
scope beyond what is described herein would be subject to a new EA and approvals process. MOE is the lead provincial
agency regarding water quality.
GCU will seek a Land Use Permit for the land at the end of the approved FMP portion of the road to allow construction of a
modern, monitored gate at this location, effectively restricting all access into the area north of this point. However, it is often
regarded that theft and vandalism takes place using snowmobile more than highway vehicles, in which case the Project will
not materially affect unlawful access to the region. As well, the majority of the camps in the area are centered on Birch or
Springpole Lakes. Currently, Birch and Springpole lakes are exposed to uncontrolled winter access along GCU’s ice road
over Birch Lake (refer to Figure 1-1 and 2-1). The eastern corridor lessens this issue for these camps because the only way
to access Birch Lake from the proposed eastern corridor would be to travel directly through GCU’s private land and camp.
The area north of Springpole Arm is regarded as "intact" caribou habitat and development proposals within such areas are
generally unwelcome. To mitigate residual negative impacts associated with the proposed road, GCU intends to enter into
an agreement with the MNR in order to ensure that this Project results in an overall benefit to the species.
In addition to staff abiding by the Ontario recreational fishing regulations that are enforced by MNR in the region, GCU is
developing an internal conservation fishing policy to protect the fishery and this will be enforced by GCU supervisors. GCU
is also seeking to minimize destructive sampling during its on-going baseline monitoring programs.
GCU has made best efforts that are within its authority to mitigate this
issue. GCU has a drug and alcohol free workplace policy in place for the
Springpole Gold Project.
GCU shall make best reasonable efforts to mitigate this issue. GCU shall
better publicize proper contact people so that GCU’s open-door policy is
better implemented and GCU can better respond to these issues.
Adhere to MNR and DFO guidance documents described herein and the
AOC prescriptions in the FMP. As these are well-proven and established,
GCU regards this issue as resolved pending further feedback.
Adhere to MNR and DFO guidance documents described herein and the
AOC prescriptions in the FMP. As these are well-proven and established,
GCU regards this issue as resolved pending further feedback.
Any additional Project scope beyond what is described herein would be
subject to a new EA and approvals process.
GCU shall use best efforts that are within its control to mitigate this issue
including formalizing the monitoring and reporting to government and
neighbours that is already in place.
Outreach and engagement with relevant stakeholders is on-going.
Currently involved in Overall Benefit permitting process under section 17
of the Endangered Species Act (refer to Section 3.4).
Consultation currently in process with MNR to develop a conservation
fishing policy for GCU personnel to protect the fishery.
Indicates that issue is outside scope of this Class EA process. In order to provide full disclosure of issues regarding the Springpole Gold Project that GCU is responding to, all issues that have been identified to GCU are described
herein.
(1) Issues are regarded as being resolved in a reasonable manner by either modifications to the proposed Project (refer to Section 5) or through on-going good-faith commitments described in Table 3-2.
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