Mining | A relaunch under the sign of sustainability

Many areas have been hit hard by the pandemic. That of the mines was only slightly slowed down. Fueled by various projects, the Quebec mining sector has more employees than before the health crisis – and is now trying to turn to sustainable development.

In 2020, when it was severely affected by the virus, the province counted $2.82 billion in mining investments, according to the Institut de la statistique du Québec. For 2021, that figure climbs to 3.93 billion: a substantial 39.3% improvement over the previous year, and the highest mark since 2013.

Mining activity supported 48,187 direct, indirect or induced jobs in 2020, suggests a study recently published by the Quebec Mining Association (AMQ). This includes manual workers, but also suppliers and anyone with a related function to keep this industry rolling.

Despite everything, this is an increase of 0.4% compared to 2018 (48,006 jobs). “The mines have only been shut down for three weeks, and some have not even closed completely,” explains M.^me Methot.

There are no more recent figures in this regard. “We can imagine that it is higher than that at the moment, because there is a lot of activity in terms of mining at the moment,” she underlines.

Projects under construction

Certain projects have progressed particularly well over the past year, in the eyes of the QMA.

The Odyssey mine, currently under construction, tops the list. It appears on the same mining lease as Canadian Malartic, which operates the mine of the same name in Abitibi. Due to begin production in 2027, it aims to become “one of the largest underground gold mines in Canada”, can be read on its website.

Nouveau Monde Graphite, for its part, is working on the construction of anode equipment factories in Bécancour. Sayona is developing the Lithium North America project in La Corne, again in Abitibi. It should be operational next year.

Still in the same sector, Val-d’Or is currently witnessing “good progress” at the Kiena mine, which will exploit gold deposits under the supervision of Wesdome. “The latest news is that they were going to reach commercial production in the winter or next year,” says Josée Méthot.

In addition, Quebec Iron Ore is looking into the expansion of the Lac Bloom mine in Fermont, on the North Shore.

Valérie Fillion, director of the Quebec Mining Exploration Association (AEMQ), adds the Windfall project to this list. Located in the territory of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James, the gold deposit managed by Osisko Mining is located in a major center of mining exploration activity.

Towards a greener future

Then, in the long term, the two associations have their sights set on slightly greener, more responsible practices.

“We work with companies to highlight ESG practices: environment, social and governance, adds Josée Méthot, with enthusiasm. The QMA is responsible for the program from the ESG standard towards sustainable development. Our members are required to adhere to this standard. We work hard to provide training on these protocols in the context of our environmental and social improvement. »

The ArcelorMittal pellet plant in Port-Cartier, for example, was rewarded by Écotech Québec for its use of pyrolytic oil, a biofuel made from forest residues. And Agnico Eagle, which mines the gold, is starting to “procure electrical equipment” like scoop loaders.

“We promote innovation, not just in terms of technology, but also in our ways of doing things,” says Josée Méthot.