Upper Beaver Project
Agnico Eagle is currently evaluating opportunities to develop the Upper Beaver deposit, located in the township of Gauthier in northeastern Ontario, into a gold and copper mine.
As we explore Upper Beaver’s potential, we are committed to sharing information on this website about each phase of the project development and to conducting meaningful community engagement in order to build understanding and trust about the transparency, potential impacts and social acceptability of our plans.
Project Overview
Agnico Eagle is planning to develop, operate, and eventually reclaim an underground and open-pit, gold-copper mine, processing facility, and related infrastructure at the Upper Beaver Project site. Upper Beaver is part of Agnico Eagle’s Kirkland Lake camp and is located approximately 5 km northeast of Dobie, Ontario. The proposed mine would be built on the site of a former producing mine, expanding on its historical underground workings. As of July 31, 2024, the Upper Beaver Project entered the advanced exploration phase.
In parallel, we have been actively working on the impact assessment for the Project’s potential production phase and are now intensifying our efforts, specifically focusing on the scenario involving the standalone mill and tailings storage facility. This follows our successful internal evaluation completed mid 2024 and ensures thorough preparation of the Impact Statement. Further information about the Impact assessment process is available here.
Location
Upper Beaver is part of Agnico Eagle’s Kirkland Lake exploration properties located in the south-central portion of the Abitibi greenstone belt, in northeastern Ontario. The project is located approximately 5 km northeast of Dobie Ontario, in the Gauthier and McVittie townships. The entire area is a historical mining camp that continues to demonstrate mineral value. We believe the Upper Beaver project and our Kirkland Lake properties may have the potential for developing a new mining platform and creating a long-term economic benefit to the region
Map
Project Phases and Expected Timeline
This timeline describes the standard phases of a mine development project, which typically occur in sequence with the transition from one phase to the next based on the results and approvals obtained at each stage. In practice, however, the phases may overlap, as some work is conducted simultaneously. To learn more about each phase, hover over the graphic and a pop-up window will appear with additional information.
We are here
Agnico Eagle is evaluating opportunities to develop the Upper Beaver deposit and to explore the surrounding deposits and mineralized occurrences through exploration programs that feature prospecting, geophysical surveys and diamond drilling.
Since 2018, Agnico Eagle has:
- explored and conducted conversion drilling on the property
- conducted a technical review of historical operations and updated all geological models
- increased mineral reserves and expanded gold mineralization
- assessed and began developing the Advanced Exploration Phase
- engaged and consulted with local communities and Indigenous groups for permitting of the Upper Beaver project Advanced Exploration Phase and production phase
- completed and updated baseline studies, modelled possible impacts and drafted permits
- evaluated possible scenarios for the Production Phase, including potential synergies with different deposits around the property and new assets from recent acquisition
- undertook engagement activities regarding the Exploration, Advanced Exploration and Production Phases
- submitted an Initial and Detailed Project Description to Federal Impact Assessment Agency of Canada for the production phase: Upper Beaver Gold Project
History
The Upper Beaver project has a long mineral exploration and development history. Gold was first discovered west of Beaverhouse Lake in 1912. Upper Beaver was mined intermittently between 1912 and 1971, producing approximately 140,000 ounces of gold and 12 million pounds of copper over this period under the names: La Mine d’Or Huronia (1912 – 1919); Argonaut Gold Mines Limited (1919-1928); and Upper Beaver Gold Mines (1965 – 1971).
Agnico Eagle acquired 100% ownership of the Upper Beaver and Kirkland Lake exploration properties in March 2018.
For detailed information on geology and mineralization of Agnico Eagle’s Kirkland Lake exploration properties, visit Agnico Eagle’s website.