MARATHON -- GenPGM’s Palladium-Copper Mining Project is still a huge part of Mayor Rick Dumas’ vision for Marathon’s future.
The company’s plan to build and operate an open pit Palladium mine approximately 10 kilometres from downtown Marathon is projecting a rate of production of approximately 25,200 tonnes of ore per day, with a proposed operating mine life of 13 years. Dumas spoke Thursday morning about how typically mine workers are transient more that never now in terms of settling and working in communities.
The mayor is encouraging GM to look at developing subdivisions with housing and apartments. Dumas said, “he does not want Marathon to be a camp community, rather one in which GM will be the builder and developer of a combination of homes and apartments within the community.”
One of his priorities is to keep schools, recreation facilities and residential areas vibrant. The mayor added that he is concerned with “local living and making this possible as a result of the Palladium-Copper Mining Project.
Dumas said his views regarding the importance of the Joint Review Panel, who looking into the environmental impact of this project, and has received all the information from GM. He stated that the next step in the new year is to move forward with this information.
He also indicated that he has been in conversation with Minister Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern development, mines, natural resources and forestry and Minister Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister for Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, about the environment impact report.
Dumas stated, “that it is more about the hearing process regarding the environment impact. He added that the GenPGM Palladium -Copper mining project is a green mine, it’s a key component, it’s a win-win situation for the government federally and provincially.”
When asked about being prepared for the estimated 400 workers and families who would be living and working in Marathon for this project, Dumas said that the town is equipped to handle that. He stressed that it would be GenPGM who would be the builder and developer of housing and sub-divisions. He hopes to see a more controlled development, as he stressed once again that he never wants Marathon to be a camp community.
He also added that GenPGM has been a good corporate citizen and that he looks forward to another announcement coming in the first or second quarter of 2022. At that point he said it will then go to the Minister’s desk and the process and dialogues will continue.
The mayor concluded by mentioning the “Marathon Supports Mining” campaign that began last September and how this was also about making the Joint Review Panel’s site visit one where they would get a real feel for the community. Signs were put up in the community and residents jumped on board supporting this project.
He realizes that Marathon is strictly a mining community and he’s okay with that.
“Mining has brought it great economic growth in the past and mining will be key to Marathon’s future and we have no problem with that.” he concluded.
