Mines Seleine

Located on Grosse-Île, in the Magdalen Islands archipelago, Mines Seleine is owned by Windsor Salt Limited. The mine is dedicated exclusively to the extraction, processing and export of de-icing salt for road maintenance. With a supply capacity of over 1.2 million metric tons of salt per year, it is a crucial source of supply for road infrastructure. Beyong being the only mine in Quebec to produce salt, Mines Seleine is also the only one to operate using the “Chamber and Pillar” mining method – a method creating vast mining galleries up to 20 meters high by 25 meters wide.

Initiated in 1982, the mine produces salt from several underground levels, the last of which is recorded at -504 meters below surface. Given the remoteness of the Magdalen Islands, the company generates 140 direct and 200 indirect jobs, providing residents with a sustainable source of income and significant economic boost for the local entrepreneurial and industrial community.

Keen to preserve excellent relations with the surrounding communities and its many residents, Mines Seleine is committed to reducing its territorial impact, both environmentally and socially.

Environmental Performance

The operation of Mines Seleine requires no water consumption through its industrial processes and generates no tailings to be treated. This management significantly reduces the mine’s environmental impact and enables the company to focus on other TSM – Towards Sustainable Mining – issues.

Thus, Mines Seleine is adopting biodiversity conservation management practices in line with the mining sector’s sustainable development principles, and reinforcing environmental protection around the site. Groups of interest specializing in the preservation of the fauna and flora of the Magdalen Islands are consulted and regularly updated on operations that may affect the natural environment.

Moreover, the company is currently developing a Climate Change Management program to monitor energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and to anticipate the impact of climate change on operations.

Health and Safety

Nothing is more important than health and safety – not production, not sales, not profits”. This axiom, regularly put forward, supports a proactive approach to occupational health and safety for all mine employees and guides every action concerning our workers.

Health and Safety is and will remain a priority for Mines Seleine and Windsor Salt Ltd., as demonstrated by the company’s performance in the TSM Health and Safety Protocol. The company is proud to recognize the efforts of all those involved in contributing to a healthier and safer working environment. For these reasons, all the indicators of the Safety and Health Protocol reached at least the level A.

Indigenous and Community Relationships

Mines Seleine and Windsor Salt’s efforts in terms of relations with indigenous peoples and communities are sustained and supported by numerous collaborations. Social acceptance of mining remains well above the acceptable threshold, contributing to a balance between the interests of the communities concerned and the company’s objectives.

Historically, the Magdalen Islands were frequented by indigenous peoples, attracted by the abundance of marine resources such as fish, seals and walruses. Today, although no indigenous community is physically established on the territory to be directly affected by Mines Seleine’s operations, the company is committed to forging and maintaining close ties with all communities on the Islands, including residents with indigenous origin.

As part of the Mining Association of Canada’s (MAC) TSM initiative, Sel Windsor and Mines Seleine are committed to continuous improvement, with the aim of maintaining or surpassing the results of the next assessment.

For more information, visit selwindsor.com