Territoires Incompatibles à l'activité minière (TIAM)/ - avril 2018

Territoires incompatibles à l'activité minière (TIAM)/ Territories incompatible with mining activity - avril 2018

Werner Wintels - Amis du Pinacle - 3 May 2018

Huntington Mine, Bolton
(Source: McCord Museum)

In early 2017, the provincial government gave Quebec Municipal Regional Councils (MRCs) the right to identify territories incompatible with mining activity (TIAMs). MRC's are essentially county governments in Quebec and are comprised of the mayors of local municipalities. They are taking on an increasing role and expertise in managing the territory of rural communities. The mayors took time to act on this new law as there are no mines currently operating in Brome-Missisquoi, although copper mines did operate in the late 1800's early 1900's in the mountains of Frelighsburg, Sutton,  Lac-Brome, and West Bolton. Large claims made by Osisko Metals in Dunham and Frelighsburg in the summer of 2017 prompted the MRC to declare a temporary moratorium on mining claims on 90% of the territory until the MRC can conclude which areas to permanently exclude form mining exploration and exploitation.

Click on image at right for full map of proposed TIAMs from the MERN (shading indicating areas currently considered incompatible with mining). The MRC cannot regulate on territories of existing claims. 

Map Source:  Système d'information géominière (SIGEOM): Carte interactive / Interactive map

Details

• Mayors and MRC officials met with ministries of municipal affairs (MAMOT) and Natural resources (MERN)  27 March 2018 meeting to discuss territories that can be included and the TIAM. They also met with holders of claims and with local environmental group.
•  MRC draft regulations and maps concerning areas incompatible with mining for territory  not currently subject to mining claims will be tabled at the MRC at the next sitting of the mayors council on  May 15, 2018.  The dates of public consultations between May and August will be announced as well.  Closed-door consultations with  environmental organizations and mining-claim holders were held by the MRC in February and March.  Click on image at right for full map of proposed TIAMs  from the MERN (shading indicating areas currently considered incompatible with mining). 
• Saint Armand requested a delay in tabling the new draft regulations requesting more information and time for deliberation, but was told that adequate information sessions and consultation for mayors, councillors, and town staff have already been held. 
• Smaller claims for copper deposits exist in the Sutton mountains (Sutton, Lac-Brome, West Bolton). Some have expired.  A new claim was made in West Bolton. The MRC has yet to hear from some claim-holders in the mountains of Lac-Brome.    

Source: Extrait du procès verbale MRC Brome-Missisquoi avril 2018


Détails

Source: Extrait du procès verbale Comite d'amènagement MRC Brome-Missisquoi avril 2018