GREENSTONE — Greenstone’s council is continuing a temporary use bylaw for the Greenstone Gold Mine’s construction work camp, which provides lodging for as many as 750 people.
The bylaw, which was renewed during the municipality's most recent council meeting, was signed in 2019 due to the lack of infrastructure to house the influx of workers building the mine.
“Seven-hundred plus people in a camp that’s a huge amount of people and it’s a transitionary group,” said Mayor James McPherson.
The three-year by-law can be rescinded at any time when the camp is no longer needed.
Because the camp is located on municipal land, the municipality will receive tax revenue from the property.
Greenstone CAO Mark Wright stated in the meeting that Greenstone has not received tax income for the use of the property, but a full assessment has been done by staff and he assured council that tax revenue will come in by the end of the year.
At the moment, the camp is being used to house workers during Greenstone Mine’s construction phase, but in the near future, the camp will be turned over to operational staff once the mine opens next year.
“We will have a significant number of expertise coming into Greenstone to help get the mine going and then, we hope, we’ll transition to some of those people living in our world,” McPherson said.
According to McPherson, Greenstone’s administration is working on a housing strategy to see where new builds for home is feasible.
Although the demographic of Greenstone’s population is nearing retirement, the mayor is optimistic that the mining industry will see more young people committing to skilled trades as opportunities become available.
“Now with many young people getting the opportunity to learn the trades to get to work and that will drive what type of housing we will need,” McPherson said.