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Matachewan cautious on construction

Matachewan is taking a cautious approach to anticipated growth as a result of the development of Northgate Minerals' Young-Davidson Mine. Reeve Beverly Hine said an influx of people is expected once the mine is in production.
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Matachewan could see its population grow once the Young-Davidson Mine goes into full production.

Matachewan is taking a cautious approach to anticipated growth as a result of the development of Northgate Minerals' Young-Davidson Mine.

Reeve Beverly Hine said an influx of people is expected once the mine is in production. Work has begun on a subdivision with the installation of water and sewer lines and there is the potential for 70 new homes.

“The water is going in and once the roads are in, we will see more development,” Hine said. “But this is something you take one step at a time. I think everything is going great and things look good, but let's get the mine up and running and then we can deal with that.”

Located three kilometres west of Matachewan and 60 kilometres from Kirkland Lake, construction began at the mine site in August, 2010. Northgate has invested more than $130 million to date and over the next year, the company expects to invest an additional $250 million to bring it into production. The mining operations will consist of an open pit and underground mine. Surface facilities will include a modern, 6,000-tonne-per day process plant utilizing conventional gold processing technology.

The property is on the site of two former mines that produced one million ounces of gold between the mid-1930s and '50s. Once operational, Young-Davidson is expected to generate an average of 180,000 ounces of gold annually over its initial 15-year mine life.

Hine said people are wary about any mine development since promises were made in the past from other companies about developing mine sites, but didn't pan out.

“People are apprehensive to see if this one is going to go, but it is at the stage to start believing it. It happened before and can happen again but as long as we take one step at a time and go that route, we will be great,” Hine said.

The community of 600 does not have much real estate for sale and Hine said when property is available, it is sold quickly.

Ray Durham, human resources superintendent at the Young-Davidson site, said a total of 275 people will be employed once it is in full production.

Housing has not been a problem to date, he said, since about half of the 100 people currently employed come from the Kirkland Lake area and the remainder from Matachewan, Matachewan First Nation and the surrounding areas.

“Housing has not been an issue yet but I see it could become one if more is not available. It is a lot easier to attract people when a lot of housing is available, especially when looking at attracting people to the area,” he said.

The mine is currently filling technical positions for its open pit, which will be contracted out, and for the mill.

“It has been a struggle to find people but we haven't run into any roadblocks so far where we haven't been able to recruit the people we need,” Durham said.

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www.northgateminerals.com