Gold major Newmont has invested $160-million into a new water treatment plant at the Porcupine mine, in Ontario, which the company says will benefit the entire ecosystem and surrounding watershed through the collection, treatment and return of impacted water.

Provincially, this plant will have among the lowest effluent discharge limits within the mining sector, says Newmont.

Construction of the plant will be completed before the end of the year, and it will begin discharging in 2023. Once operational, the plant will return up to 13-million cubic meters of treated clean water to the Mattagami, Frederickhouse and Upper Kapuskasing watersheds.

After more than a century of mining in Timmins, the next phase of operations at Porcupine is an opportunity to support regreening the region, significantly improve site water management and support the local watersheds while maintaining employment and economic benefits for Northern Ontario communities, local First Nations and the government.

Premier Doug Ford commended Newmont Porcupine for its environmental stewardship.

"This investment from Newmont is a huge vote of confidence in Timmins, our workers and the future of northern Ontario. We are grateful that Newmont has chosen to deepen its commitment to Ontario, and we look forward to seeing them thrive right here in Timmins."

Since 1910, the historic Porcupine mining district has produced more than 67-million ounces of gold. The modern Porcupine mine is the biggest employer in Timmins, with more than 1 200 employees and contractors.

“Investments like the new water treatment plant that we are announcing today are only made possible by the steadfast commitments of our employees, all levels of government and our Indigenous communities and partners. I would like to thank all involved for their dedication to upholding our reputation as an industry leader in safe, sustainable and responsible mining,” said Newmont Porcupine GM Dawid Pretorius.