Request for a Strategic Development Plan and valorization of mining waste

QUEBEC PLAN FOR VALORIZATION OF CRITICAL AND STRATEGIC MINERALS 2020-2025

Thetford Mines, January 21, 2021. The Société de développement économique de la région de Thetford (SDE) is asking the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to carry out a vast strategic plan for the development and valorization of the 800 million tonnes of mining waste in the Thetford region, in the Chaudière-Appalaches region.

In a letter sent last December to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Jonathan Julien, SDE reminds the Minister that the tailing piles in the Thetford region from the former mines contain metallic magnesium. They contain grades of more than 20%, while the average grade in the earth's crust is about 2% for the same substance. These grades alone are worth more than C$400 billion, according to the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI). In addition, these volumes of mining waste would ensure industrial valorization operations for more than 100 years.

"We believe that Quebec can and must become a leader in the circular economy, based on a low carbon footprint economy and efficient use of resources. Thus, reducing our need to exploit natural resources by recovering mining waste is an avenue that the government must encourage and support," commented SDE President Marc-Alexandre Brousseau. "We hope that the geoscientific work provided for in the Quebec Plan for the Valorization of Critical and Strategic Minerals 2020-2025 will take into account the Chaudière-Appalaches and Estrie mine tailings as magnesium deposits; that an R&D program specific to the valorization of mine tailings will be implemented; and that financial measures will be put in place to stimulate projects for the valorization of mine tailings. Upgrading has many economic, social and environmental benefits," he continued.

"We strongly share the government's vision to strengthen the economic vitality of the regions by developing our mining potential, within a concept of green economic recovery. Demand for critical and strategic minerals is growing and supply is becoming a strategic issue around the world. Valorizing tailings from former mines offers several advantages: reuse of substances already extracted, reduction in the volume of tailings to be restored and the possibility of generating significant economic activity for the regions," concluded SDE's General Manager, Luc Rémillard.

Informations : Luc Rémillard, General Manager
directiongenerale@regionthetford.com / 418 338-2188 ext. 223

Source : Martin Fecteau, Communications & Marketing Coordinator
communication@regionthetford.com