Environmental organizations are urging the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonatan Julien, to abolish just over 5,000 mining exploration permits that cut across the eskers of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, in order to preserve water sources drinking water and natural environments. The latter recalls that Quebec has already reached its targets for the protection of the territory.
As part of a formal request sent Wednesday to Minister Jonatan Julien, the organizations argue that the latter can abolish mining exploration permits “for reasons of utility and public interest” by relying on the provisions of the Mining Act. They are therefore calling for the abolition of 5,161 “mining claims” in Abitibi-Témiscamingue that overlap in part or in whole with eskers, that is, geological formations dating from periods of glaciation. These permits represent just under 17% of the approximately 28,000 claims in this region, where 22% of the territory is under mining exploration permits.
“It’s the minimum to fix historical nonsense. We must protect these eskers which are fragile and unique in the world in many respects, ”argues the co-spokesperson for Quebec better mine Rodrigue Turgeon. Currently, 60% of the area of eskers found in the region is covered in part or in whole by exploration permits.
Few millions
Putting an end to these mining titles, but also protecting the other eskers that are not covered by such permits, would make it possible to protect sources of drinking water and natural environments. According to data published by the organizations on Wednesday, just over 8% of the territory of Abitibi-Témiscamingue is made up of protected areas, compared to an average of 17% for the territory of Quebec.
According to Mr. Turgeon, it is therefore important that Minister Jonatan Julien withdraw these permits. But since the Mining Act provides for financial compensation for the exploration work that would have been carried out, such a gesture should cost “several million dollars” to the Quebec government, according to Mr. Turgeon.
In the company of Quebec better mine, the organizations Eau Secours, Action boréale, the Regroupement vigilance mines de l’Abitibi et du Témiscamingue and MiningWatch Canada believe, however, that this measure would make it possible to focus on a “more sustainable” development for the region, in particular by relying on the attractiveness of protected natural environments.
Questioned by The duty at the end of the day on Wednesday, Minister Jonatan Julien assured that his ministry will take the time to “carefully” analyze the request from environmental groups. For all exploration permits in force in Quebec, he added, an analysis of environmental issues can be carried out, in particular to assess the risks for the protection of water sources.
However, the Minister indicated that the CAQ government has already reached its target for the protection of natural land environments for 2020, namely 17%. “We added tens of thousands of kilometers, including, among other things, in northern territory, but everywhere in Quebec,” he recalled. For 2030, the target has been set at 30% for the province.
With Florence Morin-Martel