Feds approve Marathon Palladium Project
The federal government has given the green light for works to start on the Marathon Palladium Project.
The project, which is located 10 kilometres from Marathon, Ontario, and along the shores of the Pic River, and nine kilometres north of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg's reserve, the proposed mine received the approval to proceed following completion of an environmental assessment.
The project includes three open pits, an ore processing plant, tailings and mine rock storage facilities, site access roads, a transmission line, explosives factory and magazines, water management facilities, ancillary mine infrastructure and associated activities. The rate of production would be approximately 25,000 tonnes of ore per day with a proposed operating mine life of approximately 13 years.
The government says the project will strengthen Canada's position as a global leader in the responsible and sustainable production of critical minerals. Platinum group metals (including palladium, platinum and rhodium) are essential metals in the manufacturing of automotive catalytic convertors. Copper, which would also be produced by the project, is a critical mineral for electric vehicles and associated charging infrastructure, and for the growth of renewable energy infrastructure.
"The minerals mined through this project, mainly palladium and copper, will play an important role in Canada's transition to a low-carbon economy,” said Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault. “Approving this project will also result in important benefits for members of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, who have provided their support and view the project and the review process as an opportunity to advance reconciliation. The government will continue to ensure projects in Canada are done right.”
The project represents significant economic opportunities for Biigtigong Nishnaabeg. It is expected to create between 430 and 550 full-time jobs for the local workforce during the construction phase and 430 jobs during its operation. Project proponent Generation PGM Inc. has committed to hiring 25 percent of the project workforce (about 100 workers) from within Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and to exclusive contracting opportunities with Biigtigong Nishnaabeg owned and operated companies.
Biigtigong Nishnaabeg gave its formal support to the project through a community ratification process on November 12. A majority of community members voted to support the project, the community benefit agreement, and the Crown's accommodation package.
A decision statement issued by the environment minister sets out 269 legally-binding conditions that Generation PGM must observe to protect the environment, including mitigation measures and follow-up program requirements. The conditions include measures to address adverse effects of the project on the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by Indigenous peoples, physical and cultural heritage and the health and socio-economic conditions of Indigenous peoples, as well as fish and fish habitat, migratory birds and species at risk, such as woodland caribou.
Generation PGM is now free to proceed with obtaining any additional authorizations and permits from federal departments. This includes an approval from Fisheries and Oceans Canada under the Fisheries Act, from Natural Resources Canada under the Explosives Act, and Environment and Climate Change Canada under the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations.