CHAPTER 19 – MINES
19.6 MINING DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT
19.6.1 Context
The James Bay Territory has been an important source of resources for the Quebec’s mining industry since the early 1950s when cooper, gold and silver deposits where first exploited in the Chibougaumau Chapais area. With consistent worldwide demand for minerals, it is anticipated that mineral exploration and exploitation will be an important source of economic development in the Territory for the next 20 years. Evidence for this can be seen the existing number of active claims that are currently exists (see map below).
Looking forward then, the Cree intend to ensure that these future mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects and maintains the integrity of the environment. This Chapter will relate mine development in the Territory to its impacts on the environment. Appropriately, it will review the lessons learned from previous mining activities in the Territory and recommend new visionary goals to that will strategically help to fulfill the mission of the department for the future
19.6.2 Mining Activities
Mining activity is not new to the Territory, especially around the Chibougamau and Chapais. Unfortunately, the heritage left from these exploitations to the environment has set a negative impression to the Cree land users. Resolving issues from past mining developments will create a trustful platform for future sustainable mining activities. The issues in need of resolution are:
19.6.3 Clean-up of Former Mining Exploration Sites
An inventory done in the Eeyou Istchee Territory resulted in a substantial number of exploration sites containing hazardous materials potentially affecting the environment (see map below). CRA would like to follow a proposal developed to characterize these sites with the final objective of cleaning them. This inventory supports the need of a public disclosure process for mining activities especially small scale exploration activities that have the potential for long term impacts.
19.6.4 Restoration of Mining Sites
The closed or abandoned sites around the Chibougamau region are of major concern due to water contamination affecting the watershed. A collaborative working relationship has been established to facilitate transparency process thorough the evolution of the restoration plans. Cree participation is essential to provide technical support to the Cree community and to promote Cree involvement from the preliminary stages of the design of mine restoration plans.
19.6.5 Follow Up on Accidental Spills
The dyke failure from the former Opémiska mine resulted in the spill of water and tailings into the waterway. A monitoring
program was developed to analyze and follow-up the impacts of this spill on water and fish. The CRA established a communication system with government entities to participate on the monitoring and restoration plan. Cree representation on monitoring
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19.6.6 Visionary Goals
The experience of the Environment and Remedial Works Department of the Cree Regional Authority over the years has targeted the main challenges impeding full protection of the environment in the Territory. These challenges have become our visionary goals, which will help achieve better compatibility between environmental protection and mining activities. Fulfilling these goals will not be possible without first establishing new standards and/or regulations.
19.6.6.1 Disclosure of Mining Activities
A process for public disclosure to local Cree government, Cree regional authorities and Tallyman should be established for any mining activity, including exploration, from the early stages of the plan. Furthermore, a process for evaluation of social and physical impacts of the exploration activities previous to licensing must be put in place to avoid abandoned exploration sites potentially affecting the environment.
19.6.6.2 Responsible Restoration Plans
Responsible restoration plans must include accountability measures for any environment disturbance caused in the region. Thus, Cree participation on responsible restoration plans is a vital part of the accountability. The creation of working relationships and committees have helped access information of restoration plans, nevertheless the goal of this collaborative approach is to participate jointly in the development of restoration plans from the early stages.
19.6.6.3 Regional Monitoring Committees
Monitoring committees must be obliged to seek direct participation of Cree representatives and regional authorities. The
committee should elaborate programs on a regional area to track environmental and socioeconomic performance and relate them to mining activities. Monitoring programs that include Cree representatives will be key elements to avoid accidental spills and to track cumulative environmental and social impacts in the region.
19.6.7 Conclusion
Future mining activity in the Territory must be consistent with the Cree way of life and protection of the environment in the Territory as established in Sections 24 and 22 in the JBNQA. Outstanding environmental impacts of past mining activities in region have, in some cases, created a climate of mistrust within the Cree Nation. Rigorous attention to environmental evaluation, restoration and monitoring of the past mistakes will set a basis for trustworthy mining activity in the future. Cree and non-Cree Governments must work together to inspire public trust for mining activities by vigorously supporting environment protection. Strategic environment protection includes transparent communication and Cree participation on any mining activity, restoration plan and/or monitoring program for the Eeyou Istchee Territory.
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