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HomeNewsPM Trudeau, Premier Ford on hand for mine ground-breaking ceremony in Gogama

PM Trudeau, Premier Ford on hand for mine ground-breaking ceremony in Gogama

Prime Minister Trudeau, Premier Doug Ford, and many other dignitaries were in Gogama this morning for the groundbreaking ceremony of IAMGOLD’s new Côté Gold Mine.

It’s a project that they say will drive long-term economic growth and support a strong recovery in Northern Ontario. When fully operational, the mine is expected to employ 450 people, generate more than $5 billion in wages, and contribute $10 billion to Ontario’s gross domestic product over its 18-year life span. It will also employ a thousand construction workers in the building process.

“The opening of this mine is a prime example of how the Ontario government can help businesses grow and create jobs by cutting red tape and removing regulatory roadblocks, without cost to taxpayers,” said Premier Ford. “I want to thank IAMGOLD for making this significant investment in Northern Ontario, which will create good-paying jobs for the local community and support the long-term prosperity of both the region and Ontario as a whole.”

Many Ontario ministries including the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (to name a few), worked together through the One-Window Multi-Ministry Team to help coordinate on the environmental assessment process, review the closure plan for the mine, and move the permitting process forward.

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The Côté Gold Mine project has gold reserves of more than seven million ounces.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that this isn’t just big news for the people of Gogama, but folks around Sudbury, Timmins, and all across northern Ontario.

“We introduced the Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan to support projects just like this one. Projects that make Canada a great place to do business, and create and protect good lasting jobs for Canadians,” said Trudeau. “There’s no doubt the last few months have been hard on a lot of businesses across the country because of COVID-19. The virus is still a threat around the world and here at home. As we safely reopen our economy it will take time for us to make up the economic ground we lost to the global pandemic. But this project shows how our economy is getting back on its feet. International investors know that Canada is a good place to do business. Even as we face tough economic times around the world, global investors have confidence in Canadians. Right now, we have an opportunity to build a more resilient Canada. A Canada that’s healthier, safer, more inclusive, and fair. A Canada that’s both greener and more competitive in the global economy of the future, tackling the threat of climate change while creating good jobs for years to come.”

Once construction is complete, the mine is expected to reach full production by 2023.

“Mining is a key driver of our provincial economy and our government is proud to support Ontario’s world-class mining industry,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines; Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “The opening of Côté Gold Mine will propel economic recovery forward in the region, once again signalling to the world that Northern Ontario is open for business, jobs, and investment.”

IAMGOLD’s website says that the Côté Gold Project is located approximately 20 km southwest of Gogama, 130 km southwest of Timmins, and 200 km northwest of Sudbury, roughly 5 km west of Highway 144.

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