Mining Exploration – Special Bulletin

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Dear Association Members, watershed residents, and neighbours,

This bulletin highlights the discussion at our July 21, 2024 AGM, concerning mining exploration.

The terminology is complex, for example, between mining exploration rights and exploitation rights, and between the exploration permit holder’s legal rights to access your property and a mining company’s rights to expropriation for exploitation – i.e.: actual mining activity.

Please see the attached explanatory memo, instructions and draft letter to the mining exploration permit holder – Brunswick Exploration Inc., which holds significant mining exploration claims on the west side of our watershed covering both Lac Sainte-Marie and Gracefield (see attached map).

This past year we met with the MRC Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, city of Gracefield and municipality of Lac-Sainte-Marie. We are indebted to Board Member Chantal Landry for working to clarify the situation, and Coalition QLAIM for their support and assistance in drafting the letter.

The MRC has passed a moratorium on new mining exploration permits; however, the current exploration permits were already authorized by the Quebec Minister of Natural Resources and remain in place.
This presents a serious risk to the water quality, environment and wildlife of our watershed.

The draft letter we are sharing with you will prevent mining exploration activities from taking place on or near your property. It is important that you take action.

Please give this request your highest attention. This is a serious concern, during our July 21 AGM, a former association President commented “this makes my blood run cold”.

Yours truly,
Roger Larson, President, Bassin versant du Lac Heney Watershed Association /
Président, Association du bassin versant du Lac Heney Watershed- and –
Tom McKenna, President, Lake Heney Foundation/ Président, Fondation du lac Heney

Background on mining claims.pdfDownload
Instructions for refusal.pdfDownload
Template mining refusal letter.docxDownload