Construction begins on new northern Ontario gold mine
Groundbreaking begins on a new gold mine in northern Ontario that will be one of Canada's largest and is expected to produce more than 5-million ounces.
The mine is being developed by Canadian-based Equinox Gold along with Orion Mine Finance Group in the Municipality of Greenstone, about 300 kilometres west of Hearst, Ont. on Highway 11, and will cost approximately $1.23 billion.
Once up and running, the mine is expected to produce 400,000 ounces of gold each year for the first five years and operate for at least 14 years. Officials said expansion is possible through underground and near-mine deposits.
Construction is expected to take two years, with mining to start in the last quarter of 2022 and the first gold pour anticipated for H1 2024. Some early work has been underway since March 2021.
"The project is fully permitted to start major construction activities and has Long-term Relationship Agreements in place with five Indigenous groups: Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek, Aroland First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, Long Lake #58 First Nation and the Métis Nation of Ontario," Equinox Gold said in a news release.
Part of the development includes relocating a Hydro One electrical substation and distribution lines, an Ontario Provincial Police station and a portion of Highway 11.
"Equinox Gold and the Greenstone Mine team have shown terrific leadership in working with Indigenous communities and with our government to get to this point—starting construction for a major project that will create jobs and bring prosperity to the region, and to every corner of our province. This world-class gold mine is an example of what we can accomplish when we come together and work towards a common goal. I know Minister Rickford will continue to work with the Greenstone Mine team in the months ahead to ensure a smooth start," Premier Doug Ford said in a news release.
During construction, the project is expected to create 800 local and 1,300 regional jobs. While in operation, the mine will employ 500 people with the opportunity for indirect and support businesses in the region.
"Greenstone Mine will be an economic driver for Northwestern Ontario and the latest in a series of recent success stories in Ontario’s mining sector," said Greg Rickford, Ontario Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry and Minister of Indigenous Affairs. "This project will bring good-paying jobs and prosperity to northern and Indigenous communities in the region."
The groundbreaking ceremony will be streamed live from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 27.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.