Generation Mining has received environmental assessment approval from the Canadian Government for its 100%-owned Marathon palladium copper project in Northwestern Ontario.
The approval follows an environmental assessment conducted by an independent joint review panel (JRP).
Located 10km from Marathon, Ontario, the proposed palladium project is expected to boost Canada’s position as a global leader in the sustainable production of critical minerals.
For the open-pit palladium mine, the government’s decision statement outlines 269 legally binding requirements for environmental protection, including mitigation strategies and follow-up programme requirements.
Generation Mining now plans to seek necessary permits to move ahead with the construction and operation of the project, which will include the development, operation, decommissioning, and remediation of three open pits for the production of critical minerals and copper concentrate.
The copper concentrate predominantly comprises copper, palladium and platinum.
The project will also comprise a process solids management facility, an on-site ore processing facility, a mine rock storage area, a 115kV transmission line, an access road, and a water management system.
Canada Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson said: “The Marathon Palladium Project will produce copper and platinum group metals, which are considered critical in enabling Canada’s transition to a cleaner economy. The project will also ensure that Biigtigong Nishnaabeg shares in the economic benefits from development on their territory for generations to come.”
The Marathon project concentrate is expected to produce 467Mlb of copper, 537,000oz of platinum, 1.905Moz of palladium, 151,000oz of gold, and 2,823Moz of silver, over its estimated 13-year mine life.
The project is expected to create full-time jobs between 430 and 550 during the construction phase, as well as 430 jobs once it enters the operational phase.
