- Emerging lithium miner, Sayona Mining (SYA), has received environmental feedback from Québec’s Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (MELCC)
- The feedback raised queries about Sayona’s Authier Lithium project after an environmental impact study (EIS) was lodged
- The MELCC enquired about the project’s impact on flora and fauna, air quality, roads, traffic and water management
- As a result, Sayone now says it will work on creating its response
- Environment Director, Yanick Plourde, said it is normal for mining projects like Authier to receive various queries from the MELCC
- Despite the feedback, Sayona says it will continue to progress the lithium project
- Sayona is up 14.3 per cent on the market this morning, trading for 0.8¢ per share
Emerging lithium miner, Sayona Mining (SYA) has received feedback from Québec’s Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (MELCC).
The feedback raised queries about Sayona’s Authier Lithium project after an environmental impact study (EIS) was lodged.
The EIS was lodged in January, with the environmental impact assessment and review sent to comply with Québec’s Environmental Quality Act.
The MELCC enquired about the project’s impact on flora and fauna, air quality, roads, traffic and water management.
Sayona will now prepare its response to address MELCC’s queries.
Environment Director, Yanick Plourde said it is part of the process for mining projects like Authier to receive questions from the MELCC.
“This feedback is welcome as it will allow us to further fine‐tune the project to ensure it satisfies not only the Ministry but the community of Abitibi, Québec and all other stakeholders as we work to earn a social licence to operate,” he said.
The project is close to the St-Mathieu-Berry esker, where the esker is used to pump drinking water. However, Sayona says the groundwater is clear and Authier will have no impact on the esker.
CEO Guy Laliberté said the protection of the esker has been a key focus of the EIS and the company knows of its importance to the people of La Motte and Abitibi.
“We are proud to present a project that will make Québec greener by removing gasoline vehicles from our roads and replacing them with electric vehicles with lithium from Abitibi,” he said.
Currently, Seyona is bidding for the North American Lithium (NAL) business, which it plans to combine with Authier in an aim to improve the plant’s performance and economics.
Managing Director Brett Lynch is confident of the success of Sayona as it expands in Québec.
“Sayona’s strategy remains on track and we are very confident of delivering a successful turnaround at NAL with the backing of our world‐class support team,” he said.
“Authier is crucial to our plans and we look forward to securing the necessary approvals to support its development, delivering new jobs, investment and a sustainable future for Québec,” he added.
Sayona is up 14.3 per cent on the market this morning, trading for 0.8¢ per share at 11:32 am AEST.