The Commission for the Protection of Agricultural Territory of Quebec (CPTAQ) could prevent the completion of a mining project, for the first time in at least 25 years. In a preliminary orientation issued on October 12, the CPTAQ considers that it will have to refuse Canada Carbon’s request for authorization to exploit agricultural land in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, where it wishes to establish a graphite mine.
It is thus opposed to the cutting of sugar maples present on a large part of the targeted territory, located in the Laurentides region. This has good maple and forestry potential, which deserves to be preserved, according to the Commission. The MRC d’Argenteuil also aims to develop it, according to its Agricultural Zone Development Plan. A sugar shack is established about 40 meters away, it is said. The site is also close to cultivated land, cattle ranches and dairy farms.
“Allowing the establishment of a mine on the lots in question would have the consequence of altering both the homogeneity of the agricultural zone by further destroying the integrity of this environment, but also that of the agricultural operation, in particular by the presence of flooded pits which will probably remain at the end of the work,” indicates the CPTAQ document.
The Commission is also concerned about “the impact of the project on the preservation of water resources suitable for agriculture”, given that “hydrogeological studies remain to be carried out”.
Two years previously, the CPTAQ had nevertheless authorized the carrying out of exploratory work on the targeted property, under certain conditions. This had raised the fears of the Union of Agricultural Producers.
Graphite is one of the strategic minerals used in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles, the sector of which is booming in Quebec. Government objectives in terms of energy transition also risk increasing the number of requests for the use of agricultural land for mines, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ).
In a document recently published for the National Consultation on the territory and agricultural activities, the MAPAQ writes this: “From April 1998 to March 2022 inclusive, the CPTAQ rendered 10 decisions, all favorable, concerning mining files which were submitted to it. presented: 6 concerned mining exploration, 2 the restoration of orphan sites and 2 others mining projects in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. »
A long-standing opposition
The Miller mine project faces significant citizen and municipal opposition in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge. It was widely publicized when the company sued the Municipality for $96 million in 2018, following its adoption of a by-law prohibiting mining activity. The two parties subsequently reached an amicable agreement.
Spokesperson for the SOS-Grenville-sur-la-Rouge citizen committee, Gilles Levert was delighted to finally see a decision that is in line with what they have been campaigning for for years. However, he has no illusions. “I would be surprised if they gave up so quickly,” he admitted.
Canada Carbon has 30 days to “present observations or request a meeting before the final decision,” according to the CPTAQ website. If it presents relevant information, the company could change the direction of the Commission. She can then also request an administrative review of the decision or contest it.
It was not possible for The duty to obtain a reaction from Canada Carbon on Friday. However, in a press release dated May, the mining company declared: “Aware of the temporary impact that the project will have on the forest, Canada Carbon has implemented a restoration plan aimed at achieving a zero net loss with regard to the forest. maple potential. For each maple tree felled, a new tree will be replanted. In addition, maple-forestry developments will be carried out in unaffected areas of the forest from the first year of the project. This approach guarantees that the potential for maple syrup production will be even better than if the forest had been left to its own devices. »