Lomiko Metals continues its graphite mine project

The mining company Lomiko Metals reiterates its intention to continue its project to develop a graphite mine, straddling the Outaouais and the Laurentians, despite the opposition expressed in recent months by several groups of citizens in the region.

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“We understand that our project raises questions,” says Cindy Valence, just hired as head of sustainable development at Lomiko. Among his new responsibilities is that of establishing more harmonious relations with the community.

“Citizens’ questions are normal,” she said. But through my hiring and an increased presence of the company in the region, we will try to respond to as many of them as possible and thus dispel any concerns that may remain.”

Known as La Loutre, the open-air graphite mine project is located about thirty kilometers west – as the crow flies – of the municipality of Mont-Tremblant, in the Laurentians.

Citizen opposition, already organized, moved up a notch in early June, after the Surrey, British Columbia company confirmed it had received an $11.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce. of the defense.

“We had always been told about energy transition projects. But since then, everyone fears that this mine, which was believed to be intended for the manufacture of anodes for electric car batteries, will meet first and foremost the needs of the American military industry.

“We can’t guarantee it, of course. But we can’t help but fear it,” continues Louis Saint-Hilaire, a resident of Duhamel and president of the Petite-Nation lakes protection group. Questioned on the same subject, the representative of Lomiko could not exclude this possibility either.

In a press release, the British Columbia company explained yesterday that it wanted to take all possible measures to present its project to local communities and try to answer their questions. In doing so, adds M^me Valencia, she also intends to take the opportunity to take note of the suggestions that could be made to her.

Already, three information sessions will be organized this summer for this purpose. The first will take place in Duhamel on June 21, confirms Lomiko. An email address and telephone number have also been made available to citizens who would like to contact the company in the meantime.