Matoush Project Site Restoration

For Strateco it is of great importance to reduce to a minimum environmental impacts and to return the site to the way it was before Strateco began exploration in 2006. In consequence, even before the beginning of its underground exploration program, Strateco planned a Site Restoration program adapted for this exploration phase. If the project of a mine goes through after this step, another Site Restoration program will need to be elaborated.


Taking apart the Facilities and Infrastructures


Facilities and equipments

  • Buildings, facilities and equipments will be taken apart.
  • Machinery will be transported or buried according to the standards in place.
  • Reusable material and equipment will be dispatched to different places where they could be recycled, set out or resold.
  • Material that can’t be reuse (domestic waste) will be eliminated properly in an authorized waste site.

Transport infrastructure

  • Unless they will be useful for something else, pieces of the road on site and of the 12 km access road will be taken apart to re-establish original draining condition and non required trenches will be filled up.
  • Road and verge surfaces will be scarified and levelled and vegetation will be planted.

Electrical infrastructures

  • Above ground equipments and electrical infrastructures will be taken apart.
  • Underground infrastructures and equipments will stay in place.

Sanitary Installations and Plumbing

  • Above ground plumbing, drinkable water and waste water pipelines will be taken apart.
  • Underground pipes are going to be drained, blocked and will stay in place.
  • Domestic wastewater treatment plan of “biodisc” type will be drained and taken apart.

Petroleum infrastructure

  • Pipelines and fuel tanks will be taken apart by experienced workers.
  • If necessary, the site will be decontaminated as required by the ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec.


Blocking Mine’s Opening

  • Every mine opening, which includes the exploration ramp portal and the ventilation ducting, will be blocked as required by the regulation on mineral substances other then petroleum, gas and brining.
  • Moreover, a fence will be set around the ducting to show its location.
  • Ground around the portal will be levelled to fit surrounding topography.


Stabilisation of Underground Installation Structure

  • Every principal underground opening will be at a depth of more than 100 metres.
  • Dimensions of opening will be kept at a minimum for excavation work. Stabilisation of opening will be secured by an appropriate installation of anchor ties for ground and opening conditions.


Waste and Waste Water Management

  • Every slope of the sterile waste pad will be levelled to fit surrounding environment. Then, covering soil will be added.
  • Mineral from the underground excavations will be returned underground.
  • Mine water treatment basin will be dried and levelled.
  • Water samples will be taken at several places to confirm water quality.


Soil Seeding

  • Every surface that has been affected by mining exploration will be covered by vegetation to prevent erosion and give back the natural aspect to the site.
  • Organic soil, previously stored, will be spread to help the vegetation.
  • Vegetation adapted to nordic conditions and poor soils will be used.


Emergency Plans and Security Measures

  • When the site will be completely restored, Strateco will establish an emergency plan and security measures regarding landslides or cave-ins, even if Strateco does not expect a high risk of landslides or cave-ins due to the nature of the ground, depth of underground installation and size of mine opening.
  • Address and phone number of the person in charge of the emergency plan and security measures will be sent to different organisms two months before the end of exploration work.


Environment Monitoring

  • Strateco will have a consultant do a site check once a year to verify site condition and to take water samples at predetermined control point to guarantee water quality.
  • Annual verification will be repeated three times after the definitive closing of the site.


Restoration Schedule

  • Work should start within 6 months following the decision of the Board of Directors to end the program of exploration on the Matoush project.
  • If there is a positive decision to continue the development of the project and bring it into production, a new restoration plan will be elaborated during the exploitation permitting phase.