Location and ownership
Detour Lake Mine is located in northeastern Ontario, Canada, near the Quebec border, approximately 185 km northeast of Cochrane, Ontario. While it is not physically in Quebec, it is situated very close to the Quebec-Ontario boundary and is part of the broader Abitibi Greenstone Belt, which spans both provinces. The mine is currently operated by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, which acquired its interest in the project in February 2022.
History and development
The gold deposit was discovered in 1974. The first mining operation began in 1983, initially as an open-pit and later as an underground mine. The original operation ceased in 1999 after producing 1.8 million ounces of gold. Detour Gold Corporation acquired the property in 2007, restarting operations with significant investments in infrastructure and environmental management. The open pit mine resumed production in 2013, with the first gold bar poured in February of that year. Kirkland Lake Gold acquired Detour Gold in 2020, and Agnico Eagle later took over the operation in 2022.
Production and reserves
The mine is the largest gold-producing operation in Canada, with annual production averaging around 650,000 to 720,000 ounces of gold in recent years. As of December 2024, Detour Lake boasts proven and probable gold reserves of 19.1 million ounces, with additional measured and indicated resources of 15.8 million ounces and inferred resources of 6.7 million ounces. Ore is processed using conventional crushing, grinding, gravity, cyanidation, and carbon-in-pulp methods to recover gold.
Infrastructure and expansion
A dedicated 230 kV transmission line was constructed to provide power to the site, supporting both construction and ongoing operations. The mine requires approximately 120 megawatts of power. The current mining plan extends to 2034, with potential for further expansion, including additional pits (West Pit, North Pit) and infrastructure improvements such as new stockpiles, airfield, roads, and pipelines.
Environmental and engineering highlights
The project faced challenges due to low-grade deposits and sensitive wetland environments. Significant engineering efforts were made to ensure environmental compliance and operational efficiency, including the design of new pumping stations and improvements to underground galleries. The mine has received several engineering awards for its innovative solutions and contributions to the Canadian mining sector.
Regional exploration and Quebec link
While the main Detour Lake Mine is in Ontario, the Detour Gold Trend extends into Quebec. Several early-stage exploration projects in Quebec, such as the Detour Québec project, are targeting gold anomalies along the extensions of the Detour Lake mineralization trend. These projects are contiguous to the main Detour Lake property and represent significant exploration potential in Quebec.
