GREENSTONE MINE UPDATE Oct 3, 2022

I had made arrangements to meet Dina Quenneville, Manager of Community Relations, at 1:00 p.m. Monday.

Heading south, I started snapping pictures at Barton Bay bridge. The natural gas pipeline that will feed the mine’s power plant has been buried under First Street East. Soon it will soon be buried under Main Street and under Kenogamisis Lake. At the bridge I encountered one-way traffic as workers are burying the pipeline south of the bridge. The signs suggest the line will run under the causeway and, at the bridge itself, be buried in the waters under the bridge.

On Highway 11, I drove west toward the unpaved road leading to Plant Site. At the MTO Patrol Yard, I turned into the access road and drove 2 kilometres to the Plant Site. Dina met me in the parking lot where dozens of company and private vehicles sat.

At one point, Dina advised me that some 800 workers are now involved in construction and in operations. During our interview, we never left the parking lot because of safety concerns. I resumed taking pictures at the Truck Shop to the south of the parking area and, moving counterclock-wise, kept snapping.

Before we parted, I expressed an interest in seeing the Starter Pit. Access is currently restricted, but she advised me where I could position myself to see the pit from a distance. I parked in the pull-off just before the junction and climbed a gentle slope about 50 metres. I was thrilled to catch a glimpse of one of the four haul trucks now on site. The pit appears to be in the slimes area of the old Hardrock Mine.

We are making arrangements for a guided tour later this month.