Sewage Permit Amendment for Sugar Zone Mine - Increased Discharge and New Tailings Facility
Official title: Silver Lake Ontario Inc. - Environmental Compliance Approval (sewage)
Silver Lake Ontario wants to expand its gold mine's wastewater system near White River. The company needs to build a new facility to store mining waste and increase how much treated water it can release into a nearby lake. They're also asking to change pollution limits based on new environmental studies.
Why This Matters
Live near White River or use Gagegenha Lake? This permit would let the mine release 24% more treated water into the lake daily. New tailings storage means more mining waste stored in your region. If you fish, hunt, or draw water nearby, this could affect you.
What Could Change
If approved, the mine could discharge up to 2,600 cubic metres of treated water daily instead of 2,100. A new South Tailings Management Facility would be built with pipelines for tailings and water. Some pollution limits would be relaxed based on ministry-reviewed studies.
Key Issues
- Should the daily discharge limit to Gagegenha Lake increase from 2,100 to 2,600 cubic metres?
- Should a new South Tailings Management Facility be approved for storing mining waste?
- Should monthly effluent limits be modified based on updated environmental studies?
How to Participate
- Review the proposal details on this consultation page to understand the requested permit changes.
- Submit your comments by email to enviropermissions@ontario.ca before January 24, 2026.
- Call 1-800-461-6290 or (416) 314-8001 if you need to view supporting materials in person.