Public meeting scheduled for Lac des Iles project

A public information session is to be held soon in Thunder Bay, Ont., to discuss environmental permitting for Madeleine Mines’ (TSE) Lac des Iles project.

Madeleine hopes to bring its palladium-platinum property, 80 km north of Thunder Bay, into production this spring. President Dale McDoulett told The Northern Miner that all the necessary infrastructure for a 3,000-ton-per-day open-pit operation is in place and he thinks that the mine should make money at today’s metal prices.

However, before production can begin, the company requires a Certificate of Approval from Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment (MOE) for the discharge of effluent from the tailings ponds. Howard Mortfield, senior environmental officer with MOE in Thunder Bay, says that there are still a couple of technical issues to be resolved before a certificate can be issued. The company also requires work permits from the Ministry of Natural Resources, and closure plan approval from the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

Two years ago, Madeleine and former company president Patrick Sheridan were charged with six counts of violating Ontario’s environment laws. In April 1992, the case against the company was resolved and Madeleine was fined $15,000.

Sheridan recently pleaded guilty to operating diesel generators without a MOE Certificate of Approval and was fined $10,000. Other charges of establishing a sewage works without a certificate were stayed by a justice of the peace. The Ontario government has up to one year to appeal the stay of charges. The Lac des Iles deposit, owned 50% by Madeleine and 50% by the Sheridan Platinum Group, contains reserves of 22.6 million tons grading 0.19 oz. palladium and platinum per ton and 0.02 oz. gold.