Porcupine Gold Mines has completed a Pre-Feasibility Study on the Hollinger which is a review of the technical and economic viability of the project. This project seeks to assess the economic viability of returning the past-producing Hollinger and McIntyre Mines to production via the development of an open pit operation.
Porcupine is nearing completion on a Feasibility Study and the Permitting and Consultation Stages of the project.
The Hollinger Project presents a unique challenge in mine development as it is located immediately adjacent to the downtown core of the City of Timmins. Due to this sensitive location, any plans for development must account not only for the usual economic factors, but must also ensure that the effects on nearby stakeholders are minimal. The community needs to be treated as a partner in this project in order for it to be successful.
Click here to view the Hollinger Project animation.
Click here to review and complete the Open House Questionnaire & Comment Sheet.
History
Land was first staked in the Hollinger and McIntyre area in 1910 and it is believed that nearby Gillies Lake was named after the discoverer of the Hollinger deposit, Alex Gillies. Both the Hollinger and McIntyre Mines went into operation separately in the period between 1910 and 1911 and operated continuously until their closure in 1968 and 1988, respectively. The McIntyre Mill continued to operate until 1990 as a custom mill. Some surface mining took place on the Hollinger Mine property in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Since 1910, over 19.5 million ounces of gold have been recovered from the Hollinger Mine while about 10.8 million ounces were recovered from the McIntyre Mine along with 67,000 tons of copper.
Hollinger Project Contact Information
Dave Bucar
Strategic Development Manager
Phone: +1 (705) 235-6521
Fax: +1 (705) 235-6598
Cell: +1 (705) 465-4055
Email: dave.bucar@goldcorp.com
Hollinger Project Information Centre
979 Algonquin Blvd East (next to Comfort Inn)
Schumacher, ON
P0N 1G0
Phone: +1 (705) 264-0087
Hours of Operation
Facility available for viewing upon request or for specific meetings ... contact Dave Bucar.
Closure Options
Porcupine Gold Mines has been managing closure work on the Hollinger and McIntyre Mines for the past 10 years. In 2007, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines approved Closure Plans for both properties. Updating of the Hollinger Mine Closure Plan is complete and has been submitted for Government and Public Review.
Proposed Plan
Detailed studies have determined that the removal of mine hazards through filling or mining of historic mine workings would allow for partial to full future use of the Hollinger property.
A several-phase open pit will be mined beginning in 2012 to remove the majority of the mine hazards, as well as generate rock that will be used to construct an environmental control berm surrounding the property. This berm will reduce noise and dust emanating from the mine site to the community. It will act as a safety barrier and will also provide a tourist opportunity which will allow people to walk along portions of the berm on a new trail system to watch the mining taking place.
| Berm Area Plan Berm Sections Berm Shadow Studies |
New Pit Configuration & Walking Trail
Haul Road
Porcupine has reviewed numerous options for the haulage of ore from the Hollinger Mine to the existing Dome Mill. Several different routes have been studied including Highway 101 and Moneta Avenue to Gold Mine Road, but this is not ideal due to the interaction with residential areas and the community. This road will be approximately 5 kilometers long and will be constructed as far as possible from the residential community to the north and south. The road will be located using the existing hillside and tree cover to aid in the reduction of noise to acceptable levels as needed. Berms will also be built along the haul road to further reduce the noise. Configuration of the final haul road alignment has been determined.
Final Haulage Route
| Haul Road Options | |
| Considerations for Haul Road and Road Crossings |
Underground Opportunities
Exploration drill programs have identified several underground mining opportunities which will be further investigated. Both past-producing underground mines, the Hollinger and the McIntyre, provide potential for a long-term future.
Final Closure
Upon completion of this project, all affected areas will be re-vegetated such that new growth is self-sustaining. Porcupine's end goal is to improve downstream water quality and allow redevelopment of the property for recreational purposes.
Porcupine will continue to communicate our project to the community and concerns will be integrated into final planning stages.
With sustainined mining operations, Porcupine Gold Mines can continue to employ over 600 people and several hundred contractors for many years to come, all of which will benefit the future of the City of Timmins.
On-Site Storage of Rock and View of Final Rehabilitation Efforts
Closure Plans
Hollinger Closure Plan May2011 Little Pearl Tailings Pond Closure Plan May 2011
Certificate of Approval - Air and Noise for Hollinger
Application ESDM Report Hollinger Acoustic Report
Proposed Schedule
The latest formal public information update was held on January 17th, 2011 at the McIntyre Arena. The table below provides an overview of the project to date with key decision points indicated in the timeline.
Permitting / Consultation
Goldcorp will actively communicate our Hollinger Project to the community and concerns will be integrated into final planning through these feasibility and permitting stages. Goldcorp is completing an Environmental Review process as part of the permitting phase to educate the community about the project and provide details on our Environmental studies and effects analysis. An Environmental Review Report is available for public review and comment. It will be available at several locations including the Information Centre, Timmins Public Library, Ministry of Northern Development, Mines & Forestry and here on-line.
Click here to review the Final Environmental Review Report.
Appendix A - Geochemical Evaluations of Waste Rock
Appendix B - Climate and Air Quality Study
Appendix C - Operations Noise Assessment
Appendix D - Environmental Sound and Vibration Assessment
Appendix E - Surface Water Hydrology
Appendix F - Hydrogeological Assessment
Appendix G - Aquatics Ecosystem Existing Conditions Report
Appendix H - Terrestrial Baseline Report
Appendix I - Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Assessment
Appendix J - Socio-Economic Report
Appendix K - Consultation Activities
Click here to review the Permit to Take Water and the CofA Amendment document.
Hollinger Project Community Advisory Committee (HPCAC)
The Hollinger Project Community Advisory Committee is an Independent committee of citizens whose mandate is to be an informed sounding board between the community and Porcupine Gold Mines to assist in problem solving and to work towards building a sustainable community.
For more information about HPCAC contact:
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Rick Dubeau - Co-Chair Antoine Garwah - Co-Chair Or visit thier Website at: |
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The following link to the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines website, presents the Mining Sequence and the Mine Life Cycle as visuals.
Hollinger Project
