Project of Underground Mining of the Mesamax Deposit, the Expansion of the Mesamax Waste-rock Stockpile, the Operation of the Expo Quarries 2 and 2b, the Operation of Esker 2b and the Construction of Two Helipads - Nunavik Nickel Project

The Mesamax mine is located approximately 15 km east of the Expo industrial complex (Figure 2). It is already in operation and is accessible by the road between the Expo and Mesamax deposits.
The proponent plans to build a portal to be able to mine the underground deposit at this location, called Mesamax UG. It also plans to expand the open mining pit. In addition, it intends to build an underground mine emergency exit and ventilation stacks, rehabilitate water collection ditches, add an ore shed, expand the waste rock stockpile, expand offices, washroom facilities and garage, and construct a concrete slab. The works would involve excavation, blasting and backfilling of the mining area, as well as the extraction of borrow materials.

An expansion of the waste rock stockpile at the Mesamax mine site is required to allow for an additional 1.03 Mt to be stockpiled during mining. The surface area of the authorized waste rock stockpile at Mesamax is 147,000 m², while this request is for a total surface area of 182,000 m². The area planned for the expansion of the waste rock stockpile is characterized by a reworked soil, already used for mining operations.
Waste rock produced during the development phase of the Mesamax UG access ramp and main infrastructure will be temporarily disposed of in the Mesamax pit. It will later be moved underground for safety purposes to backfill certain galleries and the Allammaq underground mine. Excess waste rock will be stored in the Mesamax waste rock stockpile.

The Expo quarries 2 and 2b are located approximately 5 km northeast of the Expo mine complex. The extension of the authorization for the Expo 2 quarry will allow the full capacity of the quarry to be operated and will allow access to Expo quarry 2b. The Expo quarry 2 could be used for material storage and the installation of crushing and screening equipment.

The Expo quarry 2b will provide material for the various infrastructures and for the restoration of the Expo site. The volume of material available is approximately 520,900 m3 and the mining rate would be 200,000–300,000 tonnes per year between 2022 and 2032. Restoration of the Expo quarry 2b is scheduled to begin in 2032.

The proponent states that the additional area required for the Expo quarry 2b operation is 17,641 m2. The current authorized area of Quarry 2 is 74,373 m2.

The proponent wishes to build two helipads along the Ivakkak-Méquillon road. The construction work includes stripping, backfilling and grading the soil over an area of 30 x 30 m (900 m2) each. The work will be carried out in the summer of 2022 using material taken from authorized quarries. The helipads would be used from 2022 to 2032, before being restored.