Current status

On August 12, 2024, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the terms of reference for this project, which is the first step in the environmental assessment process.

Get details on the notice of approval.

Project summary

Agnico Eagle is proposing to address the declining capacity of its existing Detour Lake Mine landfill site through a long-term waste management strategy (project) to accommodate the disposal of non-hazardous solid waste generated from the mine operations. The project will allow Agnico Eagle to continue to service the Detour Lake Mine with sufficient waste management for the remaining life of the mine, which is estimated to be 30 years.

Proponent

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

Location

District of Cochrane, 185 kilometres northeast of the Town of Cochrane

Project type

Waste

Reference number

23011

Contact

Simon Zhao, Environmental Assessment Branch

Project history

Terms of reference: submitted
Date submitted: March 8, 2024
Expiry of public comment period: April 8, 2024
Decision date: August 12, 2024

Terms of reference

The purpose of the environmental assessment is to identify alternatives and study the potential effects of the proposed long-term waste management strategy at the Detour Lake Mine site on the environment. Agnico Eagle has submitted its proposed terms of reference for approval by the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (minister).

On August 12, 2024, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the terms of reference for this project, which is the first step in the environmental assessment process. The terms of reference sets out Agnico Eagle’s work plan for addressing the Environmental Assessment Act requirements for the EA.  It builds upon the background work completed to date and includes:

  • alternatives and criteria to evaluate impacts that will be considered in the environmental assessment
  • a description of public consultation activities and the consultation plan to be completed for the environmental assessment
  • responses to comments raised during the review of the draft terms of reference

Notice of Approval

Environmental Assessment Act subsection 17.4 (10) approval of terms of reference for the preparation of an environmental assessment.

Proponent: Agnico Eagles Mines Limited
Project: Detour Lake Mine Long-term Waste Management Strategy
EA file no.: 23011

As provided for by subsection 17.4 (10) of the Environmental Assessment Act, the amended terms of reference submitted for approval to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on November 6, 2023 (amended terms of reference) to govern the preparation of an environmental assessment for the above-noted project, is hereby approved.

Pursuant to subsection 17.6 (1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, any environmental assessment for the above-noted project given to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks must be prepared in accordance with the amended terms of reference, as hereby approved.

Reasons

I am satisfied that an environmental assessment prepared in accordance with the amended terms of reference, will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest for the following reasons:

  1. The amended terms of reference provides that the environmental assessment will be completed using a comprehensive public, Indigenous and government agency consultation process that is open and transparent
  2. The amended terms of reference provides an appropriate level of detail to confirm that the completed environmental assessment should contain a sufficient level of detail to accurately assess the environmental effects of alternative methods
  3. The amended terms of reference sets out a planning process that will ensure the completed environmental assessment will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest
  4. There are no outstanding issues that have not been incorporated into the amended terms of reference or that cannot be addressed during the preparation of the environmental assessment

Dated the 12th day of August, 2024, at Toronto

Original signed by:
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2J3