Hundreds protest proposed Outaouais graphite mine

Hundreds ofpeople gathered Sunday morning in Lac-des-Plages, Que.,to rally againsta proposed graphite mine.

The proposed La Loutre mining project,led by B.C.-based companyLomiko Metals, is locatedabout 30 kilometres southwest of Mont Tremblant.

The project wouldaffect the municipalities of Lac-des-Plages and Duhamel, Que.,in the northern Outaouais region.

One of the groups thatorganized the event, Association pour la protection de l'environnement du Lac-des-Plages,said hundreds of people from surrounding areas took part in a"solidarity march."

Franois Achim, a member of the group, said the mining project doesn't align with the interests of the communities it would affect.

"Our primary objective is to protect our lands, our lakes, our quality of lakes, the quality of living that we have here in Lac-des-Plages and all the other areas around," he said.

Severalgrassroots organizations and municipal governmentshave joined a coalition against the project as part of an ongoing effort to end mining projects in the Outaouaisaltogether.

Mat Blanchette Vzina, Quebec's Minister of Natural Resources and Forests,was not available for an interview Sunday.

In a French statement sent by email, the Quebec government said mining projects must meet high standards to earnsocial acceptance from people who live nearby.

Lomiko Metals said in a French statement it supports conversation and transparency regardingthe proposed project.

The companysays the proposed mine would produce enough graphite concentrate, a key ingredient in electric vehicle batteries,to supply approximately 10 per cent of North America's current battery demand.