Summer 2016 | Issue 7 Environmental Assessment (EA) Update
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Hardrock Herald Newsletter July 2016 th elcome to the 7 Edition of the Hardrock Herald, a newsletter designed “The Municipality of Greenstone W to provide you with information about the Hardrock Project. was pleased to present Greenstone Gold Mines with the 2016 Winter and spring were a busy time at Greenstone Gold Mines (GGM). Open Community Spirit Award during the House events were held in the communities of Aroland First Nation, Geraldton, Longlac, Long Lake #58 First Nation, Métis Nation of Ontario and Thunder Bay Greenstone Business Gala Awards. and were all very well attended. GGM’s ‘Construction, Operation and Closure’ Greenstone Gold continues to video depicting the projected landscape views was a tremendous hit and can be advance the Hardrock Project and viewed at the Community Relations office. GGM wishes to thank all those who participated and for the record number of questions and comments received provide social and economic that will be incorporated into the Final EA. opportunities to Greenstone and area communities.” GGM continues to pursue the completion of the Feasibility Study and although Mayor Renald Beaulieu slightly delayed, it is expected over the next few months. Lastly, we hope to see many of you attend GGM’s 4th Annual Community BBQ which will be held on Thursday July 14th from noon to 3 p.m. at the Exploration Site located at 135 Hardrock Road! Members of the Board of Directors including General Manager, In This Issue Eric Lamontagne and members of the management team will be on hand to greet attendees. EA Update Environmental Program As always, we are interested in hearing your feedback and welcome any comments or questions you may have. You can do so by dropping by the local Update Community Relations office at 404 Main Street in Geraldton, at 807-854-1886 or at [email protected]. Community Outreach Program in Aroland GGM Engagement Exploration Report Career Zone—Geologist March—June, 2016 Open House Events BBQ Invitation Contact Us Summer 2016 | Issue 7 Environmental Assessment (EA) Update: GGM submitted the draft Environmental Assessment / Environmental Impact Statement (EA/EIS) for the Hardrock Project to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) on February 1, 2016. Since the submission of the draft EA/EIS, GGM has received comments from the provincial and federal regulators identifying topics and issues that require refinement prior to submitting the final EA/EIS. GGM held Open House events in the communities of Longlac, Geraldton and Thunder Bay and made presentations at Open House events in the communities of Aroland First Nation, Long Lake #58 First Nation, Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek and the Métis Nation of Ontario. GGM wishes to thank you for your participation in the environmental assessment process and continues to receive questions and comments as they provide valuable insight and feedback for consideration prior to the submission of the final EA/EIS. A copy of the draft EA/EIS is available at: http:// www.greenstonegoldmines.com/article/draft-eisea-161.asp. Hard copies of the Draft Environmental Assessment can be found in the following communities: Geraldon Municipal Office and Public Library Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek Band Office Longlac Municipal Office and Public Library Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek Band Office Nakina Municipal Office and Public Library Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek Band Office Beardmore Municipal Office and Public Library Red Sky Métis Independent Nation Office Greenstone Gold Mines Community Relations Office Marten Falls First Nation Band Office (Geraldton) Eabametoong First Nation Band Office Long Lake #58 First Nation Band Office Constance Lake First Nation Band Office Ginoogaming First Nation Band Office Pays Plat First Nation Band Office Aroland First Nation Band Office Biigtigong Nishnaabeg Band Office Métis Nation of Ontario Geraldton/Thunder Bay Office Pic Mobert First Nation Band Office Thunder Bay Public Library— Brodie Street Summer 2016 | Issue 7 Environmental Program Update: Project Terminology Continuing with the on-going Environmental Monitoring Program, GGM has been collecting spring and summer baseline data. Geomorphology - The study of the physical features of the March/April data collected include: surface of the earth and their - Flow Stations – measurements are taken at 10 locations including Magnet Creek, relation to its geological Mosher Lake and Goldfield Creek. Using specialized equipment, water velocity is determined at each site. Loggers are situated at each location to track water level, structures. temperature and are downloaded every month for analysis. - Surface Water Sampling – various stream, creek and lake locations are sampled, totaling 37 sites. Grab samples are taken from the sites, with some locations having Cultural Heritage - Is the legacy additional samples taken at various depths. of physical artifacts and Baseline Reports intangible attributes of a group • Air or society that are inherited from past generations, • Archaeological Stage 2 maintained in the present and • Fish and Fish Habitat bestowed for the benefit of • Hydrogeology future generations. • Hydrology • Geochemistry Electrofishing - Is a common • Soils scientific survey method used to • Surface Water sample fish populations to • Terrestrial determine abundance, density, and species composition. When Baseline 2014/2015 reports are available at the performed correctly , electro- following link: fishing results in no permanent http://www.greenstonegoldmines.com/article/environmental-baseline-technical-reports harm to fish, which return to -136.asp their natural state in as little as Other environmental work that has taken place: two minutes after being caught. - Fisheries – with Stantec’s participation, a variety of additional Baseline fish studies have been undertaken since May including spawning surveys, phytoplankton sampling and other fish survey work. The first fisheries program was completed in June and a summer program will begin in August. - Groundwater sampling – over 50 groundwater wells are sampled on a quarterly seasonal basis. The spring sampling event has been completed and the summer sampling event is schedule to commence in August. Summer 2016 | Issue 7 Community Outreach Program with Aroland First Nation Wiindamaagewin Gaazhi-daayaang – (Project) Information Where We Live In March, GGM initiated their first of monthly community visits to Aroland First Nation with the support of Chief and Council. The purpose of the engagement is to provide a means for community members to ask questions about the project without having to leave their community. GGM’s Manager of Aboriginal Affairs is the local face to community members and brings along supporting staff as necessary. GGM sets up shop at the local Health Centre where community members are encouraged to visit the booth to ask project questions or talk about anything they find interesting. Elders also make their way over throughout the day to talk, laugh, share stories and GGM staff appreciate the opportunity to get to know the wonderful people of Aroland. The atmosphere is informal, relaxed and of course includes a good healthy dose of Anishinaabe laughter. To date, four community visits have occurred and GGM look forward to the continued interaction with the members of Aroland. Laura Vares discussing Environmental Chief Dorothy Towedo reviewing the comments and aspects of the Hardrock Project with responses with Cheryl Lesperance during GGM’s Aroland community members. third visit to the Aroland community. Summer 2016 | Issue 7 GGM Engagement 2016 Geraldton & District Chamber of 2016 Greenstone Business Awards Commerce Annual Trade Show GGM participated in the Geraldton & District Chamber of Greenstone Gold Mines were the winning recipient of the Commerce Annual Trade Show providing attendees with an Greenstone Business Awards 2016 Community Spirit opportunity to operate an Excavator and Haul Truck Award. simulator. Randy Salmi having fun operating the excavator simulator at From Left to Right— Dina Quenneville, Mayor Beaulieu, GGM’s booth. Laura Vares. A Blast From The Past GGM were pleased to meet a group of former residents who grew up at MacLeod Townsite in the 1950’s and whose fathers all worked at the MacLeod CockShutt Mine. GGM provided the visitors with an update of the Hardrock Project while listening to many interesting stories about the good old days growing up at MacLeod Townsite and the positive impact the mining sector had on the communities. From Left to Right— Russell McEwen, Dina Quenneville, Bob Stull, Ron Speck, Lorne MacDonnell, Ben Cleland, Bill Quesnel, Monty Kerr, Warren Kerr, Angus MacDonnell. Summer 2016 | Issue 7 Exploration Update: Exploration activities conducted by Greenstone Gold Mines (GGM) in 2016 include: The compilation of all historic exploration data for all claim blocks including drill core, geological maps, geophysical maps and surface rock and soil samples. We hope to find new targets from old data. Resampling of historic core from multiple past producing mines and known gold deposits to test areas not previously mines due to past economic factors including lower gold prices. Two IP (induced polarization) surveys were completed within Dan Grabiec looking for VG (visible gold) in core samples at the Kenogamisis claim block. In an effort to investigate the GGM’s Exploration