For Immediate Release Date: October 15, 2024
Township of Nairn and Hyman and Township of Baldwin Oppose Transportation and Deposition of Radioactive Mine Tailings to Agnew Lake Tailings Management Area
The Councils of the Township of Nairn and Hyman and the Township of Baldwin have jointly submitted a formal letter to Premier Doug Ford, voicing their strong opposition to the proposed transportation and deposition of radioactive mine tailings and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) to the Agnew Lake Tailings Management Area (ALTMA).
The letter, which contains a resolution unanimously passed by both Councils in an Emergency Joint Meeting held on October 2, 2024, outlines the municipalities’ serious concerns regarding the project’s potential environmental and health risks, particularly the potential contamination of Agnew Lake—a critical drinking water source for many residents in the region. The letter emphasizes that during deliberations, Council reviewed reports regarding the Beaucage Mine and Waste Site and concluded that the materials that are proposed to be transported to the ALTMA site, are not accurately categorized as NORM but are mine tailings containing hazardous heavy metals, including niobium and uranium.
The resolution also asserts that both Councils are unified in their stance to formally oppose the transportation and deposition of these materials to our area and that the ALTMA site should be remediated using clean materials to mitigate existing environmental impacts, rather than accepting additional hazardous materials that could exacerbate contamination and environmental damage.
The Councils have demanded transparency and accountability from the Province, requesting that the Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Transportation, and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission provide clear answers to the municipalities’ questions and notify them of any forward movements on this project.
The joint resolution has been forwarded to Premier Doug Ford, relevant government ministries, First Nations leaders, the Ontario Ombudsman, environmental law organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure that all parties are informed and engaged in this critical issue.
The two Townships initiated a formal petition on August 22, 2024, to address these concerns, which has garnered over 340 signatures. The petition will be presented to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by Michael Mantha, MPP for the Algoma-Manitoulin, on behalf of the Councils and residents.
Please see links below to view the Media Release and letter sent to Premier Ford: