PORCUPINE

SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental Initiatives | Community Development

Environmental Initiatives

Porcupine consists of many historical gold mining properties (>20) including the Dome, McIntyre and Hollinger mines. Mining began at these properties as early as 1910 and the legacies from earlier mining activities include waste rock, tailings material, subsidence zones and public hazards. Porcupine is committed to rehabilitating these properties and returning them to as close to their original state as possible. Prior to mining activity, the area consisted of undisturbed Northern Ontario boreal forest.

Porcupine has commenced rehabilitation activities at many of the sites and has filed separate formal closure plans with the provincial government for most of the properties. Each plan outlines initiatives for the physical and chemical restoration of the sites. Reclamation is ongoing and several hundred hectares of tailings and waste rock piles have been reclaimed since the end of 1999.

The McIntyre and Hollinger properties have undergone numerous investigations in the past few years to determine rehabilitation options for historical tailings areas and subsidence zones. Work on a contaminants loading model took place throughout 2006 in preparation for the engineering of closure measures for these historic tailings facilities.  The project consisted of several surgace and groundwater characterization sampling programs as well as defining the hydrological characteristecs of the area.  Closure design and permitting are expected to be completed in 2007 and early 2008 and will involve stakeholder input with plans for rehabilitation work to commence in 2008. 

Porcupine mine is intent on finalizing and implementing closure options on all the historic mining properties to ensure long-term environmental stability in the area.

Porcupine prides itself in achieving excellence in environmental, closure and reclamation projects.  Porcupine recently received the 2008 NOVA Environmental Award for its commitment to reclamation work within the City of Timmins.

Coniaurum Tailings Dam after placement of wood pulp by-product

Hollinger Golf Course (Pro Shop) Subsidence Rehabilitation

Community Development 

The Porcupine Watchful Eye (PWE), previously called the Dome Watchful Eye, is a stakeholder group that was formed in 1999 to support the Dome mine’s sustainability policy. The group accepted a greater challenge when the Porcupine Joint Venture was formed and the property more than tripled in land size. The main goal of this stakeholder group is to recognize and understand the requirements, expectations and concerns of all parties involved with the Porcupine's activities. The group seeks to review identified issues and work with mine management to develop strategies that meet the needs of the stakeholders, community and company throughout and beyond mine life.

For many years the group has fostered a vision for a walking trail around Simpson Lake which is located adjacent to the historic Dome Mine. The group’s goal is to establish a gravel-packed walking trail around the entire perimetre of the lake with numerous information boards at various locations, noting the local animals, flowers and mine history. This will be a valuable education tool for the surrounding elementary schools and another link in Timmins’ extensive trail network.  Porcupine will be a main contributor to this project in collaboration with community groups and other stakeholders. 

Porcupine Watchful Eye Tour viewing
South Porcupine, ON from top of rock piles  

 2007 Porcupine Mine Sustainability Report
 Porcupine Sustainability - Joint Venture 2006
 Porcupine Joint Venture, Musselwhite and Campbell Sustainability Report 2005