Current status

Statement of completion

Project summary

Hunt Cornelius (AMIS #07283) is a former molybdenum mine that operated from 1916 to 1918. The site consists of privately owned surface rights, while the Crown retains ownership of the subsurface mineral rights

The objective of the project is to rehabilitate the physical mine hazards, which includes two shafts, two adits, two raises, and several interconnected potentially unstable crown pillars. The proposed rehabilitation work will include installing fencing around all potentially unstable crown pillars, as well as around all mine openings with the exception of one adit. This adit will be secured using a purpose built, engineered stainless steel bat friendly gate that will permanently restrict public access while still allowing bats to easily enter/exit the underground workings.

The permanent fencing meets the requirements of the Mine Rehabilitation Code, as referenced in O. Reg. 35/24 under the Mining Act, for the closure of mine-related hazards and involve tree clearing 3 m along either side of the fence-line to prevent future damage to the fence from falling vegetation. Installation of the bat gate will require drilling and limited tree removal to prepare the site and accommodate the structure.

Work is anticipated to begin in fall 2026 with vegetation clearing and resume in spring 2027 with fencing, and installation of the bat gate during summer 2027.

Proponent

Ministry of Energy and Mines

Location

Brougham Township, Renfrew County, Ontario

Type

Bulletin

Reference number

Environmental Registry of Ontario #: 026-0399

Contact

Attention: Eric Cobb  
Mine Rehabilitation Project Manager
933 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 6B5
Email: minerehab@ontario.ca

Notice of Opportunity to provide input on a Category B project

The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) invites you to comment on the Hunt-Cornelius Rehabilitation Project, located in the Township of Brougham. The project location is shown in the figure below.

The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate physical mine hazards. The mining infrastructure to be rehabilitated consists of a main shaft, two raises (east and west raise), a crown pillar zone and an adit. The proposed rehabilitation strategy for the adit is to install a bat friendly gate. The strategy for the crown pillar zone, west raise, east raise and main shaft are to secure with permanent fencing.

This proposed Category B project is being carried out in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment for Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Activities under the Mining Act (Class EA). You are invited to provide input and express any concerns about this proposed project. Comments must be received by June 3, 2026. For more information, or to submit comments on the project, please contact:

Attention: Eric Cobb  
Mine Rehabilitation Project Manager
933 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 6B5
Email: minerehab@ontario.ca

Please note that personal information provided in a submission (such as name, address, and telephone number) and your views and opinions are being collected by MEM under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act for the purpose of engaging in public consultation and making decisions regarding the project. The personal information may also be shared with the Environmental Approvals Branch of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservations and Parks. The collection, use, and disclosure of this information are all governed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Questions about the collection of this information should be directed to the contact listed above.

Statement of Completion

The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) has completed our assessment for the proposed rehabilitation of mine hazards at the abandoned Hunt- Cornelius Mine (AMIS #07283). The mine is situated in Brougham Township, Renfrew County, approximately 8 km northeast of Tweed, Ontario.

The purpose of this project is to rehabilitate mine hazards at the Hunt–Cornelius Mine to eliminate risks to public safety. The site is known to be frequented by residents for recreational activities, and the underground workings have historically been accessed by researchers studying hibernating bat populations. Rehabilitation activities will include the installation of a stainless-steel gate at the adit, along with fencing around remaining mine hazards. This approach will reduce the risk of inadvertent public access while maintaining long-term access for bats and preserving their habitat from future disturbance.

This undertaking has been assessed as a Category B, in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessment for Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Activities under the Mining Act (Class EA).

Consultation Summary

The Hunt Mine is a well-studied bat hibernaculum and is considered one of the two largest hibernation sites in Ontario. To ensure that the rehabilitation activities are completed with minimal impact to the bat population, we have maintained ongoing communication with site bat researchers to share information and support project planning. Multiple meetings have been held with these experts, whose input has informed the selection of the preferred rehabilitation approach, appropriate mitigation measures, and the timing of work to avoid disturbance to hibernating bats. Where applicable, the recommendations provided by these bat researchers regarding bat and bat habitat protection have taken precedence over those of regulatory agencies, as the researchers possess the most detailed understanding of bat use at the mine site and surrounding area

The Ministry of Mines distributed consultation letters to government agencies, Indigenous Communities, and other interested persons on May 1, 2026. In addition, a Notice of Opportunity to Provide Input was posted as a Bulletin Notice on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO #026-0399) and additionally referenced on the Mining Act Resources webpage. The notice and letters were supported with a description of the project that included a summary of potential negative environmental effects associated with the undertaking and proposed mitigation measures that would negate or reduce the significance of the environmental effects. All parties consulted were provided opportunity to provide input and express concerns related to the project over a 30-day comment period.

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) – Species at Risk (SAR) Branch provided several comments related to impacts on species at risk protected under the Species Conservation Act. Multiple species were identified that may occur on or within 2 km of the project site, including Blanding’s Turtle, American Ginseng, Butternut, and several protected bat species. The SAR Branch outlined a range of considerations and recommended mitigation measures related to vascular plant protection, bats, and turtles. We have reviewed and, where appropriate, incorporated MECP’s recommended mitigation measures into the project documentation. The rehabilitation activities will be registered, and a conservation plan will be prepared in accordance with Schedule 2 of Ontario Regulation 75/26 - Registerable Activities under the Species Conservation Act (SCA). While MEM acknowledges the mitigation measures provided for bat species, the bat researchers’ recommendation, particularly regarding timing windows, will be prioritized due to their detailed knowledge of bat use at the site.

The Ministry of Multiculturalism and Citizenship (MCM) confirmed that there are no known archaeological sites within 300 m of the project area and noted that, based on a cursory search, the site may have potential for cultural heritage value or interest. MCM recommended that a screening assessment be completed to evaluate the potential for archaeological resources, as well as built heritage resources and/or cultural heritage landscapes. The proposed rehabilitation activities will take place on bedrock knobs with minimal overburden and within previously disturbed areas of the site. No buildings or structures are present. The screening completed by MEM for this project identified no known or potential archaeological resources, and no impacts to archaeological resources, built heritage resources, or cultural heritage landscapes are anticipated.

Indigenous communities expressed concerns regarding the potential discovery of previously unidentified archaeological resources and requested that the appropriate community be promptly notified if any artifacts are encountered. Mitigation measures addressing the discovery of previously unidentified archaeological resources have been incorporated into the Class EA report. One community further emphasized the importance of integrating Anishnaabe knowledge systems with western scientific, regulatory, and engineering practises. They provided several monitoring and adaptive management measures to ensure bat behaviour and access are not disrupted, that vegetation clearing footprints be minimized, mature trees be protected, and that site restoration be undertaken following construction. These recommendations have been incorporated into the Class EA report.

A member of the public raised concerns regarding the proposed rehabilitation approach and the potential ecological impacts of the stainless-steel bat gate installation at the adit, particularly with respect to the bat population and ongoing research. The Ministry recognizes that the mine openings to surface are critical habitat features for bats and has worked closely with university bat researchers to ensure that rehabilitation activities are undertaken with minimal impact. The selected rehabilitation approach supports continued use of the mine by bats and ongoing university research, while also ensuring public safety.

No other comments were received that would affect the project as it is currently planned. The Ministry of Mines will implement the project as described in the project documentation.

Approved by:

Marc Stewart, September 9, 2026
Senior Manager, Mine Rehabilitation Section
Ministry of Energy and Mines
933 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON
Telephone: (705) 670-5798
E-mail: marc.stewart@ontario.ca