Gould Copper Mine rehabilitation project
Learn about the environmental assessment process for the rehabilitation of mine hazards at the Gould Copper Mine.
Current status
Statement of completion.
Project summary
The Gould Copper Mine (AMIS 07872) is a former high grade, low tonnage copper mine that operated from 1969 to 1976. The mine is situated in Gould Township, approximately 70 kilometres east of Sault Ste. Marie and 45 kilometres north of Thessalon, Ontario.
The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate the mine hazards at the Gould Copper Mine to eliminate the risk to the public and the environment.
Mine hazards to be addressed as part of the rehabilitation activities include:
- two raises to surface
- an adit (a horizontal underground passage)
- crown pillars
- the remnants of infrastructure
A bat acoustic study was completed in 2019, which confirmed the presence of bat species at risk. Individual bats were observed flying in and out of the adit and the study concluded that the mine is likely to be utilized by bats as a hibernaculum (overwintering habitat).
A geotechnical drilling investigation was completed in 2022 to determine the long-term stability of the crown pillars and conditions of the openings to surface remaining at the mine. Rock mass quality parameters and stability estimates collected as part of the geotechnical investigation concluded that the crown pillar associated with the adit is not stable and progressive failure of the adit brow and crown pillar have occurred. As a result, bat-friendly rehabilitation measures (for example, a stainless-steel gate) are not feasible for the adit as it would not address the long-term stability of the crown pillar.
The proposed rehabilitation approach for the adit is to backfill to support the crown pillar and prevent it from unravelling. The backfill will permanently prevent access to the adit by the public and will result in the loss of bat habitat. Permits under the Endangered Species Act will be obtained prior to initiating the rehabilitation work.
The preferred rehabilitation strategy for the two raises is to backfill using a combination of cemented and uncemented material. Mine infrastructure to be decommissioned as part of the rehabilitation work includes a hydro substation, mill site foundations, a water tank and two steel barrels. Disturbed areas will be backfilled and landscaped, as required, and allowed to revegetate naturally to match surrounding habitat.
It is anticipated that only minor vegetation clearing and grading of existing mine roads will be needed to facilitate the access of heavy equipment to the adit, west raise and remaining infrastructure. The east raise is currently inaccessible by heavy equipment and additional improvements will be needed to allow the execution of the rehabilitation work.
All site access improvements will be completed in September 2023, outside of the migratory bird active period. It is anticipated that the rehabilitation of the adit and two raises will be completed over a three-week period in early October 2023, when bats are not expected to be actively hibernating within the mine. A designated substance survey (DSS) is needed prior to the decommissioning of mine infrastructure to confirm the presence of eleven designated substance as identified in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as well as other hazardous materials that may require special handling or management during the rehabilitation work. It is anticipated that the DSS will be completed by November 2023 and the decommissioning of remaining mine hazards completed by May 2024.
Proponent
Ministry of Mines
Location
Gould Township, Algoma District
Type
Bulletin
Reference number
Environmental Registry of Ontario number: 019-7116 and 019-7750
Contact
Michaela Haring, Environmental Planner
Mine Rehabilitation Section
933 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 6B5
Email: Michaela.Haring2@ontario.ca
Notice of opportunity to provide input on a category C project
We invite you to comment on the Gould Copper Mine Rehabilitation Project. The proposed rehabilitation activities have been screened as a category C project. The undertaking is being carried out in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment for Activities of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines under the Mining Act (PDF, amended 2018).
We have identified several environmental effects associated with the undertaking. A summary of negative environmental effects and proposed mitigation measures that would negate or reduce their significance is provided in the project description, which you can find with the supporting material for this project on the Environmental Registry of Ontario.
We invite you to provide input and express any concerns about this proposed project. For more information, or to submit comments, visit the posting for this project on the Environmental Registry of Ontario or contact:
Michaela Haring, Environmental Planner
Mine Rehabilitation Section
933 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 6B5
Email: Michaela.Haring2@ontario.ca
Notice of completion for a category C project (2023)
The ministry has completed our assessment for the proposed rehabilitation of mine hazards at the Gould Copper Mine (AMIS 07872). The mine is situated in Gould Township, approximately 70 kilometres east of Sault Ste. Marie and 45 kilometres north of Thessalon, Ontario. The mine is accessed using a narrow access trail west of Highway 129.
The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate the mine hazards at the Gould Copper Mine to eliminate the risk to the public and the environment. Mine hazards proposed for rehabilitation include:
- two raises to surface
- an adit (a horizontal underground passage)
- a crown pillar
- remnants of mine infrastructure
The mine is known to be frequented by the public. Entering the underground workings of the mine can pose fatal consequences due to dangers associated with unstable ground, insufficient oxygen or wildlife. Similarly, building debris remaining from historical mine infrastructure may contain hazardous materials that may be harmful if handled improperly.
The objective of the rehabilitation activities is to:
- permanently prevent access to all mine surface openings
- remove remaining building material and debris associated with the historical mining activities
Study results
Several studies have been completed to determine the preferred rehabilitation strategy.
A bat acoustic study confirmed the presence of bat species at risk within the underground workings, specifically at the adit location. The study concluded that the underground workings of the mine have the potential to be utilized by bats as a hibernaculum.
A geotechnical investigation was completed to determine the long-term stability of the crown pillars and conditions of the openings to surface remaining at the site. The investigation concluded that the crown pillar associated with the adit is not long-term stable and progressive failure of the adit brow and crown pillar have occurred.
As a result, bat-friendly rehabilitation measures (such as a stainless steel gate) are not feasible because it would not address the long-term stability of the adit crown pillar zone.
Proposed rehabilitation approach
The proposed rehabilitation approach for the adit is to backfill a minimum of 10 metres of the adit from the brow to support the crown pillar and prevent it from unravelling. The backfill will also be used as the rehabilitation measure to permanently prevent access to the adit. However, this will result in the permanent loss of potential bat overwintering habitat.
The preferred rehabilitation strategy for the two raises is to backfill using a combination of cemented and uncemented material to maintain long-term stability.
Mine infrastructure to be decommissioned includes the hydro substation, mill site foundations, water tank and two steel barrels. Disturbed areas will be allowed to revegetate naturally and return to pre-disturbance conditions.
The undertaking has been assessed as a category C project, in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment for Activities of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines under the Mining Act (PDF, amended 2018).
Provide comments and get more information
You are invited to provide any new information or concerns related to this project by November 28, 2023.
To get a copy of the project documentation, receive additional information or to submit new concerns regarding the project, visit the posting for this project on the Environmental Registry of Ontario or contact:
Michaela Haring, Environmental Planner
Mine Rehabilitation Section
933 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 6B5
Email: Michaela.Haring2@ontario.ca
After November 28, 2023, if the ministry is satisfied that there are no outstanding concerns, the project will be implemented as planned without notice. This notice was issued on October 27, 2023.
Request for a higher level of study
A request may be made to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order requiring:
- a higher level of study (such as an individual or comprehensive EA approval before being able to proceed)
- that conditions be imposed (for example, to require further studies)
The request can only be made on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Requests on other grounds will not be considered.
Requests should specify:
- what kind of order is being requested (request for conditions or a request for an individual or comprehensive environmental assessment)
- how an order may prevent, mitigate or remedy potential adverse impacts on Aboriginal and treaty rights
- any information in support of the statements in the request
This will ensure that the ministry is able to efficiently begin reviewing the request.
Requests should be sent to both of the following contacts by mail or email. Include the requester’s contact information and full name. Requests must be sent or received by November 28, 2023.
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto Ontario
M7A 2J3
Email: minister.mecp@ontario.ca
Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor
Toronto Ontario
M4V 1P5
Email: EABDirector@ontario.ca
You must also send a copy of the request to the Ministry of Mines by mail or email:
Michaela Haring, Environmental Planner
Mine Rehabilitation Section
933 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 6B5
Email: Michaela.Haring2@ontario.ca
Your privacy
Personal information you provide in a submission (such as your name, address, and telephone number) and your views and opinions are being collected by the ministry under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act for the purpose of engaging in public consultation and making decisions regarding the project.
Your personal information may also be shared with the Environmental Approvals Branch of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservations and Parks. The collection, use, and disclosure of this information are all governed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Questions about the collection of this information should be directed to:
Michaela Haring, Environmental Planner
Mine Rehabilitation Section
933 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 6B5
Email: Michaela.Haring2@ontario.ca
Statement of completion
We have completed our assessment for the proposed rehabilitation of mine hazards at the abandoned Gould Copper Mine (AMIS 07872). The mine is in Gould Township, approximately 70 kilometres east of Sault Ste. Marie and 45 kilometers north of Thessalon, Ontario. The mine is accessed using a narrow access trail west of Highway 129.
The objective of the rehabilitation activities is to permanently prevent access to all mine surface openings and to remove remaining building material and debris associated with the historical mining activities.
Mine hazards proposed for rehabilitation include:
- two raises to surface
- an adit (a horizontal underground passage)
- a crown pillar
- the remnants of mine infrastructure
Rehabilitation approach
The rehabilitation approach for the adit is to backfill a minimum of 10 metres of the adit from the brow to support the crown pillar and prevent it from unravelling. The backfill will also be used as the rehabilitation measure to permanently prevent access to the adit. However, this will result in the permanent loss of potential bat overwintering habitat.
The preferred rehabilitation strategy for the two raises is to backfill using a combination of cemented and uncemented material to maintain long-term stability.
Mine infrastructure to be decommissioned includes the hydro substation, mill site foundations, water tank and two steel barrels.
Disturbed areas will be allowed to revegetate naturally and return to pre-disturbance conditions.
This undertaking has been assessed as a Category C, in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment for Activities of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines under the Mining Act (PDF, amended 2018).
Consultation
We distributed consultation letters to government agencies, Indigenous communities and other interested persons on June 1, 2023. In addition, a Notice of Opportunity to Provide Input was posted as a bulletin notice on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO #019-7116), and also referenced on the Ministry of Mines Class EA webpage.
The notice and letters were supported with a description of the project that included a summary of potential negative environmental effects associated with the undertaking and proposed mitigation measures that would negate or reduce the significance of the environmental effects. All parties consulted were provided opportunity to provide input and express concerns related to the project over a 30 day comment period.
The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), Species at Risk (SAR) Branch provided input regarding permitting requirements under the Endangered Species Act (ESA 2007). The work will be completed in accordance with the regulatory exemption detailed in Section 23.18 of Ontario Regulation 242/08. The work will be completed between June 10 and July 10 , 2024 to ensure no impacts to bats occur during the rehabilitation activities.
The Métis Nation of Ontario expressed concerns related to the management of invasive species during the completion of the rehabilitation work. To minimize the introduction of invasive species, we will ensure that all equipment, machinery and vehicles will be brought onto the site in a clean condition.
We provided a site visit to Batchewana First Nations upon request to allow community representative with the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the mine and rehabilitation work proposed. As part of that site visit, Batchewana First Nations recommended that felled trees remaining on the property be mulched and spread over disturbed areas to promote vegetation growth. We will ensure that this commitment is included as part of the procurement documents.
We received one comment from the public during the ERO consultation period. The comment was related to the timing of the work and potential impacts to bats. The proposed timing window has since been revised, as recommended by the MECP, to ensure impacts to bats are mitigated. No public comments were received related to the notice of completion.
The MECP Project Review Unit, Environmental Assessment Branch provided input on the project documentation during the Notice of Completion consultation period. All recommendations made by the MECP have been incorporated into the project documentation and project file.
No other comments were received that would affect the project as it is currently planned. We will implement the project as described in the project documentation.
Dated December 1, 2023
[Original Signed by]
Marc Stewart
Senior Manager, Mine Rehabilitation Section
Ministry of Mines
Sudbury, Ontario