Residents in 5 Western Québec municipalities of have overwhelmingly rejected a proposed open-pit graphite mine, with 95 % voting towards the La Loutre venture in a referendum.
Practically 3,000 ballots have been solid on Sunday (August 31) throughout Duhamel, Lac-des-Plages, Lac-Simon, Chénéville and Saint-Émile-de-Suffolk. Of these, 2,754 residents voted towards the asset, whereas solely 115 have been in favor.
The organizers say the outcome leaves no room for ambiguity about native opposition.
Positioned close to Lac Bélanger, roughly 80 kilometers northeast of Gatineau, La Loutre is owned by Lomiko Metals (TSXV:LMR,OTCQB:LMRMF), which says it’s a potential supply of graphite for electrical car batteries.
China is the world’s largest producer of graphite by far, and nations all over the world need to lock down provide of the fabric. In 2024, Lomiko obtained a US$8.35 million grant from the US Division of Protection, in addition to C$4.9 million from Pure Sources Canada, because the nations regarded to strengthen North America’s provide chain.
However for a lot of locals, the referendum on La Loutre was not about world provide chains, however about defending the lakes, forests and tourism-driven financial system that maintain the Petite-Nation area.
Duhamel Mayor David Pharand, lengthy against the mine, stated the dimensions of the rejection will form what comes subsequent.
“I can guarantee the inhabitants that the share of the outcomes of this referendum may have a significant affect on the choice of the federal government and the motion that will probably be taken,” Pharand advised CBC. “We’ll work primarily based on these numbers with our political, federal, and provincial members of parliament to see that this venture will not be funded.”
Provincial officers struck an identical tone. Papineau MRC prefect Paul-André David stated in a press release that the outcomes mirror widespread environmental considerations and can information the area’s stance in discussions with Québec Metropolis:
“The MRC must take the mandatory measures to guard the pursuits of the group, by demanding that governments be sure that the sustainable administration of water, air and landscapes is on the coronary heart of discussions.”
Mathieu Lacombe, the Coalition Avenir Québec member of Québec’s Nationwide Meeting for Papineau, known as the result “unequivocal” and pledged in a Fb submit to “be sure that the desire of residents is revered.”
Premier François Legault has repeatedly stated lately that “if there is no such thing as a social acceptability, there will probably be no mining exercise,” a promise the Coalition du NON is now urging him to uphold.
Coalition presses for presidency motion
The referendum was organized with help from the Alliance des municipalités Petite-Nation Nord and spearheaded by native enterprise and land-use teams underneath the banner of the Coalition du NON.
The coalition is demanding that each provincial and federal governments transfer rapidly to halt the venture and declare the territory incompatible with mining exercise. Louis St-Hilaire, president of the Petite-Nation Lake Safety Group and co-spokesperson for the coalition, stated the outcome represents a transparent directive.
“Via this referendum, residents have proven that mining is clearly not what they need for his or her area and that they are going to proceed to oppose it. Mr. Legault, the general public is now asking you, within the public curiosity, to revoke Lomiko Metals’ mining rights on this space,” St-Hilaire stated.
Lomiko acknowledges problem of social license
Lomiko obtained permits from the Québec authorities to start a 250 metric ton bulk pattern at La Loutre on July 1, additionally saying within the replace that it was in a allowing section to start out geotechnical web site investigations.
In a press release to CBC on Tuesday (September 2), the corporate acknowledged the referendum end result, whereas stressing that “the various excellent questions will develop into clearer because it carries out further research.”
Final 12 months, Lomiko expressed disappointment after Québec’s authorities declined to fund the venture, saying the province gave the impression to be drawing “pre-emptive conclusions” earlier than technical assessments have been accomplished.
Native leaders say the onus is now squarely on provincial and federal authorities to respect the decision.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, maintain no direct funding curiosity in any firm talked about on this article.
