The province has taken the next step in allowing a pair of mining developments in the Atikokan area to move ahead, while also dealing with a polluted former mine site.
The province has announced it will now allow mining companies to proceed with Environmental Assessments of the Steep Rock Mine Site near Atikokan. Currently two companies are exploring the possibility of developing the site which could ultimately lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs.
The Steep Rock Mine site is located about five kilometres outside Atikokan and has been dormant since the 1970's. Thunder Bay's Bending Lake Iron Ore Group and Montreal's Osisko Mining Corporation have been exploring the area's potential for several years. The Bending Lake Group hopes to use the site to process iron ore. Osisko is interested to using the site to dispose of tailings from a possible gold mine it is developing in the area.
Thunder Bay - Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro said the announcement to allow companies to move forward with an Environmental Assessment could potentially lead to huge economic benefits for the region.
Mauro said there are many serious environmental issues that will have to be addressed regarding water quality and flooding issues on the Steep Rock site. Public consultation will be also be a part of the process he added.
The province will also consider complementary site proposals that support the long-term rehabilitation of the Steep Rock site.
