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Hollinger Project Perception Audit
In June 2012, Porcupine Gold Mines retained PR Associates to conduct a perception audit in order to better understand the level of awareness and support among residents of the City of Timmins for the Hollinger Project. The results of this perception audit can be seen here:
Hollinger Project Perception Audit
Porcupine Gold Mines has completed various studies on the Hollinger in order to review the technical and economic viability of the project. This project seeks to return the past-producing Hollinger Mine to production via the development of an open pit operation.
The Hollinger Project presents a unique challenge in mine development as it is located immediately adjacent to the downtown core of the City of Timmins. Due to this sensitive location, plans for development took into account not only the usual economic factors, but also the effects on nearby stakeholders, ensuring these are minimal. The community needs to be treated as a partner in this project in order for it to be successful.
History
Land was first staked in the Hollinger and McIntyre area in 1910 and it is believed that nearby Gillies Lake was named after the discoverer of the Hollinger deposit, Alex Gillies. Both the Hollinger and McIntyre Mines went into operation separately in the period between 1910 and 1911 and operated continuously until their closure in 1968 and 1988, respectively. The McIntyre Mill continued to operate until 1990 as a custom mill. Some surface mining took place on the Hollinger Mine property in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Since 1910, over 19.5 million ounces of gold have been recovered from the Hollinger Mine while about 10.8 million ounces were recovered from the McIntyre Mine along with 67,000 tons of copper.
Hollinger Project Contact Information
Heather Duhn
Community Liaison Coordinator
Phone: +1 (705) 235-6571
Fax: +1 (705) 235-6551
Cell: +1 (705) 465-5021
The Hollinger Infomation Centre has moved to: 637 Algongquin Blvd E. (Behind the Bulk Barn)
Hours of Operation
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday:
Noon to 4:00pm
Wednesday: 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Closure Options
Porcupine Gold Mines has been managing closure work on the Hollinger and McIntyre Mines for the past 10 years. In 2007, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines approved Closure Plans for both properties. Updating of the Hollinger Mine Closure Plan is complete and has been submitted for Government and Public Review.
Proposed Plan
Detailed studies have determined that the removal of mine hazards through filling or mining of historic mine workings would allow for partial to full future use of the Hollinger property.
A several-phase open pit will be mined beginning in 2012 to remove the majority of the mine hazards, as well as generate rock that will be used to construct an environmental control berm surrounding the property. This berm will reduce noise and dust emanating from the mine site to the community, and act as a safety barrier.
| Berm Area Plan Berm Sections Berm Shadow Studies |
Haul Road
Porcupine has reviewed numerous options for the haulage of ore from the Hollinger Mine to the existing Dome Mill. Several different routes have been studied including Highway 101 and Moneta Avenue to Gold Mine Road, but this is not ideal due to the interaction with residential areas and the community. This road is approximately 5 kilometers long and is being constructed as far as possible from the residential community to the north and south. The road was located using the existing hillside and tree cover to aid in the reduction of noise to acceptable levels as needed. Berms will also be built along the haul road to further reduce the noise.
Final Haulage Route
| Haul Road Options | |
| Considerations for Haul Road and Road Crossings |
Final Closure
Upon completion of this project, all affected areas will be re-vegetated such that new growth is self-sustaining. Porcupine's end goal is to improve downstream water quality and allow redevelopment of the property for recreational purposes.
Porcupine will continue to communicate our project to the community and concerns will be integrated into final planning stages.
With sustainined mining operations, Porcupine Gold Mines can continue to employ over 600 people and several hundred contractors for many years to come, all of which will benefit the future of the City of Timmins.
On-Site Storage of Rock and View of Final Rehabilitation Efforts
Closure Plans
Hollinger Closure Plan May2011 Little Pearl Tailings Pond Closure Plan May 2011
Certificate of Approval - Air and Noise for Hollinger
Application ESDM Report Hollinger Acoustic Report
Permitting / Consultation
Goldcorp will actively communicate our Hollinger Project to the community and concerns will be integrated into final planning through these feasibility and permitting stages. Goldcorp has completed a Voluntary Environmental Review process as part of the permitting phase to educate the community about the project and provide details on our Environmental studies and effects analysis. An Environmental Review Report is available for public review and comment. It will be available at several locations including the Information Centre, Timmins Public Library, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and here on-line.
Click here to review the Final Environmental Review Report.
Appendix A- Geochemical Evaluations of Waste Rock
Appendix B - Climate and Air Quality Study
Appendix C - Operations Noise Assessment
Appendix D - Environmental Sound and Vibration Assessment
Appendix E - Surface Water Hydrology
Appendix F - Hydrogeological Assessment
Appendix G - Aquatics Ecosystem Existing Conditions Report
Appendix H - Terrestrial Baseline Report
Appendix I - Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Assessment
Appendix J - Socio-Economic Report
Appendix K - Consultation Activities
Click here to review the Permit to Take Water and the CofA Amendment document.
Hollinger Project Community Advisory Committee (HPCAC)
The Hollinger Project Community Advisory Committee is an Independent committee of citizens whose mandate is to be an informed sounding board between the community and Porcupine Gold Mines to assist in problem solving and to work towards building a sustainable community.
For more information about HPCAC contact:
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Rick Dubeau - Chair Or visit thier Website at: |
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The following link to the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines website, presents the Mining Sequence and the Mine Life Cycle as visuals.
Hollinger Project
