Quebec Environmental Bureau Rejects Horne 5 Mine in Current Form

The Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE) concluded that the Horne 5 underground mining project is not acceptable in its current form ^[1].

The finding places a significant hurdle before Ressources Falco Ltd. as it seeks to develop a polymetallic mine for gold, copper, and zinc ^[2]. Because the BAPE provides critical environmental and social assessments for the Quebec government, this rejection suggests the project may require substantial redesigns or modifications to proceed ^[1].

Released on Jan. 7, 2025 ^[1], the report focused heavily on the seismicity of the project site near Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec ^[2]. The commissioners found the seismic risk associated with the mine's current configuration to be unacceptable ^[1].

Controversy has surrounded the transparency of the findings. Some reports indicate the document was heavily redacted regarding the specific seismic data of the Horne 5 project ^[3]. However, other accounts of the publication did not mention such redactions ^[4].

Despite the critical conclusion, a spokesperson for Ressources Falco Ltd. said the company welcomes the BAPE report with interest ^[4]. This positive response from the company contrasts with the BAPE's assertion that the project is not acceptable as currently designed ^[1].

Analysts observing the process said that the commission likely required more information to reach a definitive conclusion on the site's stability ^[3]. The project remains in a state of uncertainty as the company evaluates the BAPE's findings and determines how to address the seismic concerns raised by the bureau ^[1].