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Biodiversity and
Preservation

Biodiversity Monitoring Program

Environmental baseline studies at the Côté Gold Mine were conducted in 2012-2013 and 2017 and have established a comprehensive understanding of the wildlife communities within the site footprint and surrounding areas through a suite of field surveys.

In 2021 Côté Gold established a Biodiversity Monitoring Program, aimed to monitor trends in biodiversity. The Biodiversity Monitoring Program includes:

  • Breeding Bird surveys
  • Nightjar surveys
  • Bat Acoustic surveys
  • Winter Track Count surveys
  • Aerial Stick Nest and Raptor surveys
  • Species at Risk surveys

As part of the Biodiversity Monitoring Program, incidental wildlife observations from site personnel are also collected yearly and have been gathered since the onset of construction in 2020.

Migratory Bird Protections

The Côté Gold Mine closely monitors breeding birds on site, particularly during the breeding bird season (April-August).

To mitigate impacts to migratory birds, their nests and eggs, Côté Gold's Environment Department performs nest surveys at active work fronts during the breeding bird season.

If nests are observed, construction activities are modified, buffer zones are established, and ongoing nest monitoring occurs.

Progressive Rehabilitation

A great emphasis has been placed on progressive reclamation and rehabilitation to minimize the overall footprint of the site. To date, progressive reclamation has occurred primarily by hydroseeding selected areas with native species and salvaging topsoil and overburden for future progressive reclamation.

In the fall of 2023 and 2024, on-site crews transplanted alder and willow trees harvested from Site. Live staking is a natural way to help with erosion issues that may occur and provide bank stabilization on shorelines.

Image description: fish being observed by members of the fish hatchery

Site Initiatives

Walleye Spawning Habitat Surveys

Spring 2024 & 2025

Walleye spawning habitat between Middle and Lower Three Duck Lakes was constructed in 2024 as part of the Fisheries Offsetting Plan.

Following construction, on-site crews conducted monitoring surveys during the Spring spawning period.

Walleye were observed using the habitat during the Spring 2024 surveys just three months after the completion of construction.

Surveys were repeated in Spring 2025 with further confirmation of walleye presence in the habitat.

World Environment Day 2025

Our team came together to honour World Environment Day in June by cleaning up around the Côté Gold mine site.

The day began with a meaningful smudging ceremony led by Hudson Naveau, Environmental Monitor and a proud member of the Mattagami First Nation.

With leadership from our Environment Team, employees from every department joined forces to make a difference.

The clean-up has become an annual tradition on site and is a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to environmental stewardship.

Oshki Lake Water Ceremony

June 2024

A Water Ceremony, led by Mattagami First Nation and Flying Post First Nation, was held on June 26, 2024, to commemorate the commissioning of Oshki Lake, the new lake created as a fisheries offsetting measure.

Oshki, meaning ‘new’ or ‘young’ in Ojibwe, is the name that was selected by the two communities and approved by the Ontario Geographic Names Board in 2023.