The Horne 5 mine project “is not acceptable” in its current form, according to the BAPE

The commission of inquiry of the Office of Public Hearings on the Environment (BAPE) considers that the Horne 5 project of Falco Resources “is not acceptable” and that the impact study “suffers from a lack of essential information for a complete analysis of risks and impacts”.

This is what emerges from the report made public Tuesday morning, which concludes the BAPE mandate launched last summer.

Falco Resources wants to develop a gold and other precious metals mine under the town of Rouyn-Noranda.

In conclusion, the commission of inquiry considers that the Horne 5 project, as presented, does not meet the minimum requirements in terms of safety, public health, environmental protection and internalization of costs. Consequently, it judges that this project is not acceptable in the current state of knowledge brought to its attentionsupports the president of the commission of inquiry, Joseph Zayed, who will not grant an interview.

The president notes, among other things, the lack of information concerning the risks linked to blasting and seismicity. The Abitibi-Témiscamingue Public Health Department (DSPu) had also raised concerns about treatments at the regional radiation oncology center.

The commission considers that the issues linked to vibrations generated by blasting and induced seismicity raise major safety questions which certainly remain to be documented before even considering any authorization of the project.we can read in the report.

These industrial activities could compromise the integrity of the industrial infrastructure adjacent to the proposed mine as well as the equipment of the regional radiation oncology center, located nearby, whose precision is crucial to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatments.

Air quality

The report also refers to risks for the Horne Smelter, owned by Glencore.

The commission believes that the socio-economic context of Rouyn-Noranda, which has been experiencing an environmental and social crisis linked to air quality for months, is not conducive to the establishment of a new urban mine.

This project is distinguished by its urban location, while the planned mine would be located directly under the Horne Foundry. It is part of a social context already marked by deep concerns. The proximity of mining to residential areas and certain critical infrastructures would accentuate these concerns and affect the social climate which has deteriorated considerably since the impact study was carried out.specifies the report.

The Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette, received the report 15 days ago.