Agnico Eagle Mines, headquartered in Kirkland Lake, commemorated the inauguration of No. 4 Shaft at its Macassa Mine this Wednesday. This new development promises to augment production while reducing operational expenses.
In alignment with this significant development and in honor of the mine’s 90th anniversary, the company pledged a donation of $3 million to the Canadian Cancer Society. The substantial donation is intended to aid individuals residing in northern Ontario’s rural and isolated communities. It will ensure access to cancer prevention initiatives and support services, enabling individuals to better manage their journey post-cancer diagnosis.
The unveiling of the completed shaft was celebrated in a ceremony held on Wednesday. Andre Leite, Agnico’s Vice-President of Ontario operations, recognized the unveiling of the No. 4 Shaft as a critical stride towards envisioning a future-centric Macassa Mine. Leite emphasized that the new shaft would not only boost production and enhance unit costs but also increase exploration capacity. More importantly, it would significantly elevate the working conditions for their staff.
Ontario’s Minister of Mines George Pirie, who graced the occasion, praised the Macassa Mine as a top-rated gold mine on the global stage. A private tour of the site was facilitated for the Minister, who shared his experience of descending down to 6,300 feet. He appreciated the effort invested into ensuring safety and their remarkable attention to detail.
Construction of the new shaft, which is approximately 6,395 feet deep and features a 216-foot-tall concrete headframe, had been ongoing since 2019. Impressively, the headframe was completed within just 11 days.
Reflecting on the mine’s history, Natasha Vaz, Agnico’s Executive Vice-President and COO, mentioned that Macassa has been in operation since 1933. She marked the 90 years of operations as a tremendous feat, and looked forward to the potential of the next nine decades. Vaz shared Agnico Eagle’s future exploration plans, emphasizing a large area that traverses the Abitibi from Ontario to Quebec.
Kirkland Lake Mayor Stacy Wright, expressing her awe at the magnitude of the project, stated that it was an investment into their community’s future.
Agnico’s donation to the Canadian Cancer Society includes a special focus on Northern Ontario’s Indigenous communities, aiming to ensure these communities have the necessary resources and support for dealing with cancer.
Stuart Edmonds, the Executive Vice-President of Mission, Research and Advocacy at the Canadian Cancer Society, emphasized the importance of accessible cancer information and support for the wellbeing of Northern Ontario’s communities. He appreciated Agnico Eagle’s generosity and expressed hopes that the donation will fast-track the accessibility of prevention programs and support services to northern Ontarians.
Agnico Eagle, a Canadian gold mining company, prospers on the global stage with operations in Canada, Australia, Finland, and Mexico, where it extensively produces precious metals.
