However, according to the Slate Falls Nation’s statement given on Nov. 26, First Mining Gold had submitted the EIS/EA reports earlier this month without any consultation on its contents with the community.
The group also says there are concerns that the design of the proposed gold mine can pose unacceptable risks to Slate Falls, including because water from the mine would flow across the territory to the community.
The Springpole project is host to one of the biggest undeveloped open pit gold deposits in North America, containing proven and probable reserves totalling 3.8 million oz. of gold plus 20.5 million oz. of silver.
The deposit lies under a bay of Springpole Lake. The construction plan — currently under the federal environmental review process — involves building dikes and draining the bay to carve out a pit and access the orebody. Once approved, construction is expected to begin in 2027.
