Ontario Investing $60 Million in Mine Site Remediation in Atikokan
December 15th, 2023
Province taking action to enhance public safety and environmental protection
Atikokan – The Ontario government is investing up to $60 Million to rehabilitate the former mine site in Atikokan. The funding will support multiple projects related to the remediation of contaminated soil and water at the former mine site.
“This clean up is key to protecting the health of nearby fisheries and wildlife, our environment, aquatic ecosystem and communities,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “That is why we are investing up to $60M to continue to clean up the former mine site in Atikokan to keep people and the community safe.”
“The provision of up to $60 million for environmental reclamation of the decommissioned mine site is an investment in clean land and air quality,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan. “With this funding, we will continue to protect the land, water and the Atikokan area for the future.”
This funding will help remove and treat contaminated soil and groundwater from the former mine site.
Considerable progress has already been made at the site and many of the immediate public safety concerns have been addressed.
To date, the ministry has undertaken significant monitoring, sampling and analysis work to inform remediation efforts. This includes conducting studies to understand the current state of the soil, vegetation and water.
“Protecting the health, safety and well-being of Ontario communities is always our government’s top priority, which includes protecting the people and the environment in the north,” said George Pirie, Minister of Mines. “Our government is committed to cleaning up legacy mine sites and we are also exploring new opportunities to recover and recycle minerals from these sites to secure more sources of critical minerals across the province.”
QUICK FACTS
- The former mine site is located within the municipal boundary of the Township of Atikokan, approximately 200 km west of the City of Thunder Bay and covers a total area of approximately 5,260 hectares.
- The former mine site was created under the War Measures Act in the 1940s. The mine site was surrendered to Ontario in 1988.
- To date, Ontario has spent approximately $25M to support remediation of the site.
Watch the Announcement Here: