A global mining giant has been fined $100 million for polluting water in Quebec’s Côte-Nord, marking the highest-ever penalty of its kind. According to court documents, ArcelorMittal violated the Fisheries Act by releasing harmful substances into fish-bearing waters near its mining operations in Fermont, Que., between 2014 and 2022. The company admitted to 100 violations of the federal Fisheries Act and will pay a $1 million fine for each count, with most of the funds going to the Environmental Damages Fund.
Experts point out that this case highlights the challenges in regulating Canada’s mining industry effectively, especially as Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to expedite critical minerals projects nationwide. Sara Ghebremusse, an assistant professor specializing in mining governance at the University of British Columbia, described such fines as reactive measures that ideally should have been prevented.
The Mont-Wright mine, Canada’s largest open-pit iron mine, has been operational since the 1970s and covers 24 square kilometers. ArcelorMittal has a history of non-compliance at the site, as evidenced by a previous $15 million fine for infractions between 2011 and 2013. The company was found to have released toxic substances into the watershed and provided false information to environmental officials during an investigation.
The latest charges against ArcelorMittal involve the deposition of harmful substances by the Mont-Wright mining complex and the Fire Lake mine into various water bodies in the Fermont region, which eventually flow into the Moisie River, a critical salmon spawning area for the Innu Nation. The recent $100-million fine underscores the community’s commitment to safeguarding the watershed and ensuring that such incidents do not recur.
ArcelorMittal has stated that it has invested over $400 million in infrastructure, including a water treatment facility, to address operational and environmental water challenges. The company acknowledged the need for ongoing improvements and emphasized its dedication to environmental protection moving forward. The court has also mandated the company to cover the investigation costs and submit an environmental plan by February 2027.
Environmental experts emphasize the importance of robust regulatory processes to prevent environmental violations like the one committed by ArcelorMittal. They stress the need for sufficient funding for compliance and enforcement activities to ensure companies adhere to environmental regulations effectively.