In Quebec’s Côte-Nord, a global mining giant has been fined $100 million for contaminating water, marking the highest-ever infraction of its kind. ArcelorMittal was found guilty of illegally releasing harmful substances into fish-bearing waters near its operations in Fermont, Que., from 2014 to 2022. The company admitted to violating the federal Fisheries Act in 100 instances and will pay a $1-million fine per count, with most of the funds allocated to the Environmental Damages Fund.
The case exposes the challenges in regulating Canada’s mining sector, especially as Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to speed up critical minerals projects nationwide. The Mont-Wright mine, Canada’s largest open-pit iron mine, has a history of non-compliance, as evidenced by a $15 million penalty in 2022 for infractions from 2011 to 2013. The company was also cited for providing false information to federal environmental officers during the investigation.
The recent infractions by ArcelorMittal involve the Mont-Wright mining complex and Fire Lake mine releasing deleterious substances into water bodies that flow into the Moisie River, crucial for Atlantic salmon spawning in the Innu Nation’s ancestral territory. The community established the Mishta-shipu Watershed Protected Area to safeguard the land from industrial harm and preserve local wildlife.
Uashat mak Mani-utenam Chief Jonathan Shetush emphasized the importance of ensuring that ArcelorMittal’s corrective actions prevent future discharges. The company, committed to improvement, has invested over $400 million in water control and treatment infrastructure on-site. Despite challenges such as remote location and harsh weather, including a 52-year-old mine site’s environmental legacy, ArcelorMittal aims to prioritize environmental protection moving forward.
Experts stress the need for robust regulatory oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future. They point out that environmental vigilance is time-consuming and requires adequate funding for compliance and enforcement to ensure companies adhere to regulations effectively. The settlement with ArcelorMittal underscores the ongoing efforts to hold mining companies accountable for environmental violations.