Officials left in the dark as mining company eyes Pontiac
Tashi Farmilo
Local Journalism Initiative
Published in the Pontiac Journal on March 12, 2025.
MRC PONTIAC – Showcase Minerals Inc. is advancing its Pontiac Project, a 3,461-hectare uranium and rare earth exploration site spanning the municipalities of Litchfield, Mansfield, and Otter Lake, but questions remain about whether the company has the legal standing to proceed given that neither local officials nor the Quebec government have received formal communication from the company regarding its plans.
The Pontiac Project, promoted as a potential source of critical minerals for clean energy and technology, is located in a region where mining activity is under growing scrutiny. While some parts of Pontiac are designated as incompatible with mining activities (TIAMs), restricting development, the rest of the region isn’t protected. According to Jason Durand, Director of Land Use Planning and Environment for the MRC Pontiac, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MRNF) can grant mining claims in areas outside the restricted zones.
The MRNF said Showcase doesn’t have official exploration permits in the province’s Register of Real and Immovable Mining Rights. Instead, they have an option agreement to acquire 100% ownership of the project from Afzaal Pirzada of Geomap Exploration Inc. Quebec law requires mining companies to obtain government authorization before conducting exploration activities that could impact the environment, and the MRNF confirmed Showcase has yet to request such authorization.
Bill 36, which took effect in November 2024, prohibits mining on private lands, though claims active or requested before May 28, 2024 remain valid. Additionally, starting in May 2025, companies with exploration rights must notify local municipalities and Indigenous communities at least 30 days before starting work.
Uranium exploration is subject to even stricter oversight. Mining companies must report any uranium discovery exceeding 0.1% concentration and undergo an Office of Public Hearings on the Environment (BAPE) review before receiving approval for extraction.
The MRC Pontiac passed a resolution in June 2023 to be consulted before any mining exploration or development work is done within its territory. However, MRC officials
say they haven’t been contacted by Showcase despite the company’s ongoing exploration efforts. Durand said with numerous government-issued claims under different names, “it’s nearly impossible for the MRC to monitor all prospecting activities.” While Quebec law doesn’t require mining companies to inform municipalities about exploration on Crown land, the MRC Pontiac previously passed a resolution requesting voluntary disclosure. “Some have [informed us], and some haven’t. It’s a bit disappointing,” added Durand.
Despite the uncertainty, MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller doesn’t believe there’s cause for alarm at the moment. She noted that while mining companies frequently make announcements about projects, many struggle to secure the necessary investment to proceed beyond early-stage exploration.
Toller noted the potential economic benefits of mining if a project were to move forward under the right conditions. “Currently, we have a number of [local] people who are trained as miners, but who have to travel to jobs outside the region,” Toller said. “Someday, if we have a project in an area that’s not protected, it could mean economic development for Pontiac and closer work for our miners.”
Showcase Minerals has publicly stated it’s preparing for a second phase of exploration, including further sampling and trenching. However, they haven’t responded to multiple requests for comment.
