Public consulted about Mallard Lake gold mill

Roughly 35 people attended a public meeting in La Ronge on April 15 regarding the proposed Jolu Central Mill Gold project at Mallard Lake. Golden Band Resources Inc. (GBR) wants to re-commission an existing mill and mill tailings management facility to process ore mined from five different gold deposits located between the Churchill River and community of Brabant.

“I have heard very strongly there is overall support for this project moving forward,” said Chris Doiron from Mining and Processing, Environment Canada.

Doiron also said, “In the context of moving things through the system quickly … [for a project] in 2006 it was two years and we cut that back to eight months. We’re doing everything we can but it is contingent on the availability of the Treasury Board.”

The meeting was held to gather input from the public following a report given by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and information on the proposed amendment to the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations at the mill site.

Leon Charles, counselor representing the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, spoke about how the project would positively affect communities near the site through increased economic development.

Charles said GBR is a good corporate citizen and that they put forward a “habitat compensation plan that is actually more than should have been required.”

He added, “We view their use of Canada North Environmental Services and Kitsaki Procon as indicators of their commitment to preserve the environment and provide economic benefits to our First Nation.”

Russell Roberts, CEO of Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership, said, “No fish habitat is being destroyed by the GBR Jolu project,” and that “GBR and the Saskatchewan government are mitigating historical contamination at Yew and Long lakes,” which were contaminated by a previous owner of the mill.

Roberts commended GBR on their openness with the Band over the years and said he hopes for a speedy process so they can proceed with an acceptable Impact Benefits Agreement.

“We’d like to get to work,” he concluded.

Questions from the gallery were few and mainly to clarify jargon and points made during the presentations. No one opposed the project and the next step takes place on April 20 in Gatineau, Quebec where federal government regulators have invited Aboriginal and environmental groups to present on the project in person.

Vallerie G. Barnes-Connell