Should Waste Rock Pile Changes Be Approved at James Bay Lithium Mine?
Official title: James Bay Lithium Mine Project Public Notice Public Comments Invited on Proposed Amendments to the Decision Statement
Galaxy Lithium wants to move and reconfigure waste rock piles at its approved lithium mine near the Eastmain Cree community. The mine was approved in 2023 with binding environmental conditions. Now the company wants to change where it dumps mining waste, and the federal government is asking if that's okay.
Why This Matters
Live near James Bay or the Eastmain Cree community? Waste rock piles can affect water quality and land use for decades. Indigenous communities have a direct stake in how mining waste is managed on their traditional territory. Even if you don't live nearby, this sets a precedent for how approved mines can change their plans.
What Could Change
The Decision Statement for this mine could be amended to allow new waste rock pile locations. This doesn't reopen the project approval itself—just the specific conditions about where waste goes. If approved, the company gets more flexibility in mine operations.
Key Issues
- Should the proposed changes to waste rock pile locations be approved?
- Are the proposed amendments to the Decision Statement appropriate?
How to Participate
- Review the analysis of proposed changes including the draft amendments to the Decision Statement.
- Submit comments online through the project home page on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (reference number 80141).
- For alternative submission formats, contact conditions@iaac-aeic.gc.ca.