Equinox Gold announces groundbreaking at Greenstone Mine

Developed as a 60/40 partnership by Equinox Gold and Orion Mine Finance Group, respectively, Greenstone Mine will be one of the largest gold mines in Canada, producing more than 400 000 oz of gold annually for the first five years, and more than 5 million oz of gold over its initial 14-year mine life.

Greenstone Mine is fully permitted to start major construction activities and has long-term relationship agreements in place with five Indigenous partners: Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek, Aroland First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, Long Lake #58 First Nation, and the Métis Nation of Ontario.

The mine will provide an important economic boost and bring long-lasting benefits to communities in Northern Ontario – providing 800 local and 1300 regional jobs during construction, 500 jobs during operations, and creating numerous indirect and support business opportunities.

Christian Milau, CEO of Equinox Gold, comments:

“Equinox Gold continues to focus on its strategy of sector-leading growth, launching Greenstone Mine development as construction at our Santa Luz mine in Brazil is nearing completion. Greenstone Mine is located in one of the world’s best mining jurisdictions and will be a top-tier mine, producing more than 400 000 oz of gold per year at all-in-sustaining costs in the lowest quartile of the industry. Greenstone Mine will be a cornerstone asset for Equinox Gold and a transformative project for Northern Ontario. We thank our Indigenous partners, the Municipality of Greenstone, Premier Ford, Minister Rickford, and the Government of Ontario for their support of the project and look forward to working with them, Orion, and other stakeholders in the region to build a gold mine that can be considered an industry example for responsible mineral development.”

The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, comments:

“Equinox Gold and the Greenstone Mine team have shown terrific leadership in working with Indigenous communities and with our government to get to this point – starting construction for a major project that will create jobs and bring prosperity to the region, and to every corner of our province. This world-class gold mine is an example of what we can accomplish when we come together and work towards a common goal. I know Minister Rickford will continue to work with the Greenstone Mine team in the months ahead to ensure a smooth start.”

The Honourable Greg Rickford, Ontario Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, comments:

“Greenstone Mine will be an economic driver for Northwestern Ontario and the latest in a series of recent success stories in Ontario’s mining sector – successes that our government is proud to support. This project will bring good paying jobs and prosperity to northern and Indigenous communities in the region.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/28102021/equinox-gold-announces-groundbreaking-at-greenstone-mine/