Graphite mine near Duhamel, Que., has locals worried

With its scenic lakes, beaches and forests, the Petite-Nation area of Quebec'sOutaouais regionis a paradise for lovers of the great outdoors.

But residents now worry a graphite mine project near the towns of Duhameland Lac-des-Plages, about 125 kilometres northeast of Ottawa, could affect their quality of life.

There's still many years before any material will be mined from this location, if at all.- Paul Gill,Lomiko Metals

"The development of the regionhereis based on leisure, recreation and ecotourism," saidLouis St-Hilaire, a spokesperson for the Regroupement de protection des lacs de la Petite-Nation, a coalition of seven local homeowners' associations.

"The mining industry and the outdoor industry aren't really compatible," he said in a French-language interview with Radio-Canada.

Surrey, B.C., company Lomiko Metals recently completed exploratory diamond drillingin a search for graphite, a mineralused bythe electric vehicle industry, among others.

But St-Hilaire worries about the environmental consequences, as well as the impact on localtraffic. He's also worrieditcould pave the way for other mining projects in the vicinity.

His groupplans to lobby elected officials and enlist the help of other organizations to fightthe project, he said.

Early stages, CEO says

The CEO of Lomiko Metals,Paul Gill, said he can't understand the outcry, given that theproject is in a "very early stage."

"What are they opposing?" he asked. "There is noplan at this point in time. All there is is a general concept. So when we get to specifics, then we can communicate effectively with everyone and alleviate some of the fears they have."

Before building a mine at the La Loutre Project,as the siteis formally called,Lomiko Metals would need to complete an environmental impact assessment and obtain permits from the government.

"There's still many years before any material will be mined from this location, if at all," Gill said.

Gill believes thelawsuit by mining companyCanada Carbon against town ofGrenville-sur-la-Rouge, Que., might explain the negative reactionagainst his own project.

He saidLomiko Metals intendsto work with residents, and he hopes to convince them that theLa Loutre Project could benefit the local economy.

Mayor wants long-term vision

DuhamelMayorDavid Pharand told Radio-Canada he wants answers to numerous questions before taking a position.

He's concerned about the possibleimpacts of open-pit mining including "blasting, dustand the state of roadways because of trucks."

Pharandnotedthe local economy relies heavily on lakes and the natural scenery, and hedoesn't want to compromise that for short-term gains.

"Some might see[mining] as the arrival of attractive salaries," he said. "However, those salaries last only as long as the mine, so only for 20-25 years. After that, those jobs disappear."

Duhamel plans to create a committee with the neighbouring communities of Lac-des-Plagesand Lac-Simon in order to obtain more information. Local officials are already in touch with the mining company, Pharand said.