BAPE recommended rejection of the Bloom Lake mine project

The Office of Public Hearing on the Environment (BAPE) has recommended that the project be rejected to increase the storage capacity of tailings and waste rock at the Bloom Lake Iron Mine near Fermont in C కోట్te d’Ivoire.

In its report on the impact study released on Friday, BAPE suggests that Champion Iron’s subsidiary Minarai de fer Quebec (MFQ) must review its project because the solutions adopted for mining waste management “reduce the impact on wetlands and water resources”, we read in the 205-page document.

Pierre Magnon, chairman of the commission of inquiry, and Jacques Lockett, commissioner, said the proposed solution to dispose of the coarse tailings would cover more than 88 hectares, including Lake F, occupying 151 hectares. Therefore will be erased from the map.

“Consequently, the Commission recommends that the project not be authorized as submitted. It is hoped that the work schedule will give adequate time to start conducting additional studies as needed to review alternatives, ”the report said.

The Commission points out that “in the opinion of independent experts, it has been found that the company sometimes imposes very strict standards such as distance from the operating site and the presence of ore under the pit to eliminate alternatives for disposal. Its tailings from West Rock “.

The city of Fermont, Cote d’Ivoire and local communities, including the Council of Ushat Mack Mani-Utenam (ITUM), also support a project to increase the storage capacity of tiling and waste rock at Bloom’s Mine Lake. The commission recalled that it was expected to reap significant financial benefits by 2040.

MFQ wants to start building new infrastructure in 2021. Bloom Lake Mine has been in operation since 2006. It produces 7.5 million tons of iron per year and allows the powers to increase this capacity to 16 million tons per year, but the current storage area for tailings and waste rock will not be sufficient by 2024.

What are the effects?

Champion Iron did not mention the effects of the BAPE findings on a plan to double mine production in 18 months. The half-billion-dollar project is set to begin this spring.

However, Champion Iron Vice President Investor Relations, Michael Marcot, supported the mine tailings site expansion project. In the email sent Wyatt News, The project “fully respects the current legal and regulatory framework, which is subject to rigorous analysis by 17 experts with more than 12 scenarios and has been developed based on the best overall solution,” he said. Perspectives on environmental, social and technological aspects ”.

The report was welcomed by Martin Cotte, a spokesman for Lake Dagal residents. The boundaries of the proposed tiling site are less than one kilometer from several residences. The increase in noise and the impact on the landscape is of concern to owners.

Martin Cotte believes that if the project goes the way MFQ submitted, her living standards will be affected to the point where she is no longer willing to be there for retirement. Considering the difficulties in buying a house in Fermont, she believes the situation will arise when she leaves C కోట్te d’Ivoire.

“It gives us joy, it takes a weight off our shoulders,” Martin Cotte commented Wyatt News. We tell ourselves what we have done and what other companies have done. It should be reviewed. Also, BAPE says it still has time in front of them to do this. “

Many environmental groups also welcomed Babe’s results, calling the report “tough.”

“BAPE agrees with many citizens, professionals and organizations involved in public consultation. Quebec must seek alternative solutions to prevent the destruction of wetlands and water bodies, otherwise the project will not move forward,” said Rebecca Patrin of U Securus.

Coordinator at Ugo Lapoint and Mining Watch Canada, part of the Quebec Better Mine Alliance, the report suggests that “it is technically and financially feasible to further backfill the coarse tailings in the pit.”

“This method is already in use in other mines. This will slow down the project and prevent the destruction of lakes and streams, ”said Mr. Lapoint.

– In collaboration with Alexander Cantin, TVA Knowles