Five municipalities near a proposed graphite mine site with ties to the Pentagon have created a coalition to accelerate public consultation on the project. They want to put pressure on the provincial government to listen to residents.
when Lomico MetalsA mining company based in Surrey, British Columbia, announced plans to open a mine in the Laurentians to produce graphite needed to make electric vehicle batteries, and some residents living nearby – one of the world's most needed minerals – began protesting. project, fearing potential environmental damage.
They were even more upset when they learned that Lomico had received $11.4 million from the United States Department of Defense for the project.
Since then, municipalities near the proposed mining site – Duhamel, Lac-Simon, Cheneville, Saint-Emile-de-Suffolk and Lac-des-Plages – have decided to take responsibility for informing the public.
Generally, companies that want to undertake large projects are responsible for conducting public consultations and ensuring a level Social acceptability
, said Duhamel Mayor David Farrand, a spokesman for the coalition. But not this time.
Farrand said the coalition wants to hold consultations in the coming months and then, by 2026, hold some sort of vote, perhaps a referendum, to find out what people think about the project.
David Farrand is the mayor of Duhamel and representative of the coalition. (archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada
However, Mr. Farrand said.
A An example to follow
Rodrigue Turgeon, co-responsible for the national program at Mining Watch CanadaThat said, the level of community engagement so early in the process Extraordinary
In the country, it is called A true example for other municipalities to follow
.
Mr. also practices environmental law and mining law. Turgeon suggested that a referendum be held. Unprecedented
For Quebec, although common in Latin America.
Rodrigue Turgeon is co-leader of the national program at Mining Watch Canada. (archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Catherine Paradis
Louis St-Hilaire, president of a local environmental group, will be a speaker opposing the mine at the first public information session on July 21.
We don't want to have a big open pit mine in the middle of all these lakes and all these people living around it.
Louis St-Hilaire stressed that some residents have expressed support for the project, especially after Lomico announced in May that it had received an $11.4 million grant from the Pentagon.
People are very angry about this situation
He manages.
Louis Saint-Hilaire is a representative of a local environmental group. (archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada
Lomico graphite will strengthen North American energy supply chains and will be used for that, the Pentagon said Defense applications
.
Lomico said it will conduct feasibility studies and metallurgical studies over the next five years and be subject to a review by the Bureau d'Audience Public Sur l'Environment (BAPE). The company plans to start development of the site by 2027.
Graphite is a key mineral for the manufacture of military equipment. A 2023 report from The Hague Center for Strategic Studies, a Netherlands-based defense and security think tank, lists graphite as a critical mineral with a vulnerable supply chain.
The report explains that European militaries needed graphite to make their warplanes, battle tanks, submarines, cannons and weapons.
years before the evaluation of BAPE
In a statement, Cindy Valens, director of sustainability at Lomico, told The Canadian Press that the company had already met. A group of stakeholders
And she Follows all government procedures as a responsible operator in critical minerals sector
.
The company will continue to share water quality test results with the community and Ms. According to Vallance, local input will be sought on other issues, including road access. She added that the mine would create jobs and help Quebec achieve its strategic goals for essential minerals.
The land explored by the mining company is located 5 kilometers from Duhamel between several lakes near populated areas. (archive photo)
Photo: Lomico Metals website
According to the office of the Minister of Natural Resources, Mite Blanchet Vezina, It is important that mining projects undertaken in Quebec generate social acceptance in the communities concerned
.
In a separate statement, the ministry said companies seeking mining leases must obtain authorization under Quebec's Environmental Quality Act, a process that usually involves consultation. BAPE.
To guarantee the integration of a mining project into its host environment, promoters are strongly encouraged to put mechanisms in place for dialogue with communities very early in their project development.
However, Mr. According to Turgeon, it could be years earlier BAPE An impact assessment is being conducted, long after mining companies began to focus the debate on economic development at the expense of promising jobs and environmental considerations.
Furthermore, what defines social acceptance remains unclear.
There are currently no specific guidelines in the Mining Act [du Québec]Nor does any other legislation in Quebec define social acceptance
Mr. Turgeon explained.
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