Graymont does own land on which waste rock could be stored without going through the authorization processes. However, the adverse impacts on the community would have been too great, particularly in terms of aesthetic pollution.

The two sites Graymont proposes to purchase were selected on the basis of their accessibility, from an economic-viability perspective, and for the limited impact that waste rock piling on these particular sites would have on flora, fauna, and watersheds, as well as on the community, from an aesthetic perspective. Also, these two lots were intended to be put up for sale on the open market.

The realignment of the operations road is necessary to allow access to additional ore reserves under the existing roadway, and to ensure continuous operations over the coming years. The road will also be widened to accommodate on-coming, two-way traffic, rather than requiring trucks to move in convoy as is presently the case, thus enhancing the safety of truck drivers. The proposed changes do not involve any increased truck traffic. Furthermore, noise nuisance will be somewhat reduced, since trucks won’t circulate all at once. Moreover, an 11-meter-high rock noise barrier will be built alongside the road, between the plant and Quarry #6 (Rang des Canadiens).

Different kinds of barriers and berms have been chosen according to their functionality and adaptability but, most importantly, to minimize the visual impact and noise levels.

At Quarry #6, we opted for a wall formed by maritime shipping containers, which will eventually be covered with vegetation. This process, while respecting the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement, de la lutte contre les changements climatiques (MDDELCC) norms with regard to noise, will reduce the visual impact on our neighbours, since the containers will be withdrawn as the quarry is deepened.

An 11-meter-high barrier made of stone extracted from our quarries will be erected along the operations road, and gradually re-vegetated, beginning in the first year.

Since the very start of this project, we have been committed to ensuring that stockpiles should have minimal impact on local fauna and flora. Once the proposed sites were determined, we commissioned independent consultants to assess the potential environmental impacts. Studies have been carried out on both proposed lots, as well as along the proposed new alignment of the operations road. To date, an inventory of flora and fauna and a survey of wetland sites have been completed.

After the building and modelling of waste rock piles, a new study, which will focus on surface water drainage, will be conducted.

Among other things, the results of these evaluations will enable us to plan a stockpile that leaves only a minimal ecological footprint, and thus reduce the impact on surveyed wetlands, as well as provide for mitigation measures if need be. The results of the studies will be shared with residents of the concerned areas during future meetings.

A similar project is currently under way in Bedford, Quebec. The Bedford ‘Heritage Project’ involves developing a fully accessible recreational site for the community on a waste rock storage site.

The Harmony project is already underway. We have generally respected the deadlines except for the closure and vegetalization of quarry no. 4 due to the economic slowdown and a lower volume of lime production. In addition, the Municipality of Dudswell has adopted a sustainable development plan. As a result, we must now ensure that the project still match the needs of the community by taking into account the Municipality’s projects. To date, we have obtained the CPTAQ’s authorizations for the acquisition of Lot 1 and we have withdrawn our application for Lot 2. We are re-evaluating our options given the slower pace of our production on the original scenario of acquiring a stack on Lot 2.

As for the Harmony Fund, we have agreed with the Municipality of Dudswell that the town will determine the structuring projects that can be financed from the Harmony Project Fund in accordance with the needs of its citizens.