MARATHON -- Mayor Rick Dumas offered his views on several key factors surrounding Marathon’s Palladium Copper Mine project.
The Joint Panel Review indicated in early December, 2021 that they would be holding public hearings so that all partners involved in this project, including residents could voice their views and opinions not only about the project itself but more specifically, about the panel’s report on the environmental impact of such an endeavour to the community of Marathon.
Mayor Dumas quickly voiced his frustration over the fact that the original date announced by the Joint Review Panel to hold these public hearings has been changed from Feb. 15, 2022 to March 11, 2022; and run over a 30-day period.
He expresses his frustration over this change as he saw it as another unnecessary delay. The panel suggested that the key reason for rescheduling the public hearings was the concern over the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases throughout Ontario and the region.
Mayor Rick Dumas expressed his displeasure with this change, stating that he believed most groups, and individuals who will be part of this public hearing are working from home. “I am frustrated with another month delay.” He also indicated that once the public hearings are complete, the Joint Review Panel has 90 days to complete their report and submit it to the respective Ministers of the environment, at which time they will make a decision on whether the project should proceed.
During the interview the Mayor, responded to this timeline framework with a letter to the Joint Review Panel, requesting that they adjust the timeline in order to expedite the process so that ultimately the Palladium Copper Mine project can move forward. “Rather than the 90 days to prepare this report, make it 50 days and send this off to the Minister of the Environment,” the Honourable David Piccini.
When asked if he had any concerns regarding whether or not this project would ultimately be approved by all government levels and partners, he stated that, “ I believe that this project will be 100 per cent approved.” He shared that as Mayor of Marathon, he has heard and seen that the comments regarding this project, are supportive at “all levels of government including local and provincial, are in favour of the process and are supportive of the project.”
The Marathon Mayor has certainly kept in touch with all key partners. He indicated that he has been talking with residents, surrounding districts and fellow region Mayors and Council members, as well as members of the surrounding Indigenous communities and First Nation Leaders.
Throughout these discussions with key partners and individuals, and in keeping a close relationship with them, Mayor Dumas identified a key focus regarding the environmental impact of such a huge mining project. He describes this focus as, “the least amount of impact, with the greatest amount of economic benefits, like job creation.”
He reiterated that “with any amount of industrial development there is an environmental impact,” and continued to point out that this mining project is a “green project”. When asked to expand on this, he talked about how the GenPGM mine will “be producing palladium which will help reduce harmful emissions from automobiles. Cars will need a lot more copper so this is a green project.” He described this project as one that will be producing well needed products.
In previous interviews about this project, he often described Generation Mining, (GenPGM), as a good corporate citizen. During this interview, Mayor Dumas reaffirmed that view, by explaining that GenPMG continues to be just that. Their investment in this project and this community, “shows that they truly believe in this project and I’m pleased to have this relationship with them.”
In terms of what the near future holds for Marathon, its citizens and surrounding communities, he expressed his optimism. “We should see some development starting the Fall of 2022. The only hiccup I see is the fall Provincial Election. However, he also shared that he has spoken with Minister Patty Hajdu, about his concern that the fall election may pose some delays for the project. Beyond that, he spoke about how both the Minister of Indigenous Services and Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, Honourable Patty Hajdu, and the Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Honourable Greg Rickford, have indicated to him that they are, “all on board with this project.”
When asked to share his thoughts about Marathon perhaps becoming a “camp community” as a result of this project, he quickly replied that “a key priority for Marathon is to not have this make it a camp community.” However, he added that he is being realistic and that Generation Mining is prepared to invest millions of dollars into the building of condominiums and needed housing.
Furthermore, the Mayor understands that not all of the expected 350-400 workers working at the mine, will want to live in their small community permanently. He reaffirmed the fact that when the needed housing for these workers is being built, that Marathon “can facilitate the required housing and the proper landscaping and building standards will be put in place.”
There is a process that this project and panel review must follow. Once this process gets through the public hearing, and government approval, Mayor Rick Dumas believes they should see the needed housing construction to start as it will take at least a year to complete.
It was very clear throughout the interview that Marathon’s Mayor is aware of all the important components of the Palladium Copper Mine project, and its economic importance to Marathon and the province. But he also has kept a close relationship with Marathon residents, his own council, surrounding Indigenous Leaders and community members, Mayors and Councils from the outlying regions, Local and Provincial leaders and Ministers, and GenPGM.
He looks forward to the Palladium Copper Mine project starting the Fall of 2022.
