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

Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Springpole Gold Project
Road Alternatives Assessment
1.0 Introduction
Gold Canyon Resources Inc. (GCU) is a growing mineral exploration company which holds a
100% interest in the large Springpole Gold Project (the Project), situated in the prolific Red Lake
Mining District of northwestern Ontario. The Springpole Property is comprised of mining patents
and mining claims. GCU holds the mineral rights to the entire Property, which extends from the
north end of Springpole Lake and connects to the end of the current Wenasaga Road. The
Property has been explored intermittently for gold since the 1920s. GCU obtained the Property
in 1998 and has explored the Property and expanded its land position since that time.
GCU is seeking to develop improved access to the Property and, ultimately an access corridor
for year-round use.
GCU has conducted an alternatives assessment regarding the potential access corridors. The
preferred alternative (Option A) utilizes and expands on existing and planned forestry roads in
the region as well as existing exploration roads, in order to minimize the potential for cumulative
effects. This approach is described in Section 5. GCU is currently engaging
The Project triggered the requirement for a Class EA pursuant to MNR’s A Class Environmental
Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects (2003), due to
the proposed disposition of Crown resources. This Report has been prepared to comply with
requirements of the MNR (2003) and to follow current best practices regarding environmental
assessment.
Project Understanding
The Project comprises the development of a restricted use access corridor (~15 m in width) in
accordance with accepted best practices to minimize effects to fish and wildlife values,
archaeological values and Aboriginal community sensitive sites (Figure 1.1).
The preferred access corridor (Option A) follows the planned Wenasaga Road corridor
(approved for construction in 2014 in the Trout Lake Forest Management Plan) and portions of
pre-existing mineral exploration trails that extend from the GCU camp at the north end of
Springpole Lake eastward. These historic exploration trails exist due to the long history of
exploration at the property. It is GCU’s intent to eventually remove these historic exploration
trails from use where practical and rehabilitate them.
The entire length of the preferred corridor option (Option A) beyond the Forest Management
Plan (FMP) approved corridor is situated within GCU claims, however, only a portion of Option
B is located within the claims boundary (Figure 1.1). Highway vehicles, as well as off-road
equipment, would be utilized to import and export materials, equipment and personnel from the
Project site. DST understands that GCU continues to consult and engage stakeholders
regarding the standard of the road that is proposed within the corridor, as well as the use
strategy for the corridor. Furthermore, DST understands that details will be provided in GCU’s
Environmental Study Report that is being prepared for MNR.