Residents in five wEstern Quebec Municipalities of have overwhelmingly rejected a proposed Open-Pit graphite mine, with 95 percent votes against the The Otter project In a referendum.
Nearly 3000 ballot papers were cast on Sunday (August 31) in Duhamel, LAC-des-Plages, Lac-Simon, Chénéville and Saint-émile-de-Suffolk. Of them, 2,754 citizens voted against the active, while only 115 were in favor.
The organizers say that the result leaves no room for ambiguity about local opposition.
La Loutre is located near Lac Bélanger, about 80 kilometers northeast of Gatineau, is owned by Lomiko Metals (TSXV: LMR, OTCQB: LMRMF), who says it is a potential source of graphite for electric vehicle batteries.
China is by far the world’s largest producer of graphite and countries around the world want to close the supply of the material. In 2024, Lomiko received a subsidy from US $ 8.35 million From the US Department of Defense, as well as C $ 4.9 million of Natural Resources Canada, because the countries wanted to strengthen the supply chain of North America.
But for many locals, the referendum was not about global supply chains, but about the protection of the lakes, forests and tourism driven economy that support the Petite-Nation region.
Mayor of Duhamel David Pharand, for a long time to the mine, said that the scale of the rejection will shape what will come next.
“I can ensure the population that the percentage of the results of this referendum will have a major impact on the government’s decision and the action that will be taken,” Pharand told CBC. “We will work on the basis of those figures with our political, federal and provincial MPs to see that this project is not financed.”
Provincial officials hit a similar tone. Papineau MRC prefect Paul-André David said in a statement That the results reflect widespread environmental problems and will guide the attitude of the region in discussions with Québec City:
“The MRC will have to take the necessary measures to protect the interests of the community, by demanding that governments ensure that the sustainable management of water, air and landscapes is central to discussions.”
Mathieu Lacombe, the Avenir Québec member of Québec’s National Assembly for Papineau, called the outcome ‘unambiguous’ and promised in a Facebook message To “ensure that citizens’ will are respected.”
Prime Minister François Legault has repeatedly said in recent years that “if there is no social acceptability, there will be no mining activity”, a promise that the Coalition du Non now encourages to maintain.
Press coalition for government action
The referendum was organized with the support of the Alliance des Municipalités Petite-Nation Nord and under the direction of local business and land use groups under the flag of the Coalition du Non.
The coalition requires that both provincial and federal governments move quickly to stop the project and to explain the territory incompatible with mining activities. Louis St-Hilaire, chairman of the Petite-Nation Lake Protection Group and co-pits for the coalition, said that the result is a clear guideline.
“Because of this referendum, citizens have shown that mining is clearly not what they want for their region and that they will continue to oppose it. Mr. Legault, the public now asks you in the public interest to withdraw the mining rights of Lomiko Metals in this area,” ” Said St-Hilaire.
Lomiko recognizes the challenge of social license
Lomiko Permits received From the government of Québec to start a 250 -ton bulk monster on July 1 on July 1, and also said in the update that it was in a permit phase to start geotechnical site investigations.
In a statement to CBC on Tuesday (September 2), the company acknowledged the referendum result, while it emphasized that “the many excellent questions will become clearer as the additional studies carries out.”
Last year Lomiko expressed disappointment after the Québec government refused to finance the project, and said that the province seemed to draw “preventive conclusions” before the technical assessments were completed.
Local leaders say that responsibility is now the right to provincial and federal authorities to respect the judgment.
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Publication of securities: I, Giann Liguid, has no direct investment interest in a company mentioned in this article.
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