Eastmain Mine Airstrip

Economic reasons. The airstrip was a private facility built to serve the Eastmain Gold Mine. It was closed following the abrupt shutdown of the mine in December 1995. The mine's operator, MSV Resources Inc., ceased operations due to a combination of lower-than-expected gold recovery rates, technical challenges, and financial difficulties, making the supporting airstrip redundant.

The site is abandoned and derelict. Satellite imagery confirms the runway is still visible as a distinct clearing in the boreal forest but is unmaintained, deteriorating, and being slowly reclaimed by vegetation. It is completely unusable for aircraft. Any buildings that formed the associated mine camp have been removed or have fallen into ruin. The area remains extremely remote and is now primarily accessed by helicopter for sporadic mineral exploration activities.

The Eastmain Mine Airstrip was a vital logistical asset for the short-lived Eastmain Gold Mine in the remote James Bay region of Quebec. Active from approximately 1994 to 1995, its sole purpose was to support the mine in an area with no road access. The airstrip handled the transportation of personnel, construction materials, heavy equipment, fuel, food, and other essential supplies. It was also used to fly out gold-copper concentrate and geological core samples. Operations would have been conducted by charter air services using rugged STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, such as the DHC-6 Twin Otter, DHC-2 Beaver, and Cessna Caravan, which are capable of operating from short, unpaved gravel runways typical of remote Canadian industrial sites.

There are no official plans to reopen the original Eastmain Mine Airstrip (CA-0265). The mining claims for the property are currently held by Fury Gold Mines Ltd., which has conducted renewed exploration and drilling programs in the 21st century to re-evaluate the deposit. While this indicates commercial interest in the mine itself, it does not guarantee the reopening of this specific airstrip. Should a new mine be developed, the operator would likely construct a new, modern airstrip compliant with current standards or rely on helicopter support and the existing regional infrastructure, such as the public Eastmain River Airport (CZEM), located approximately 85 km to the west.