Magino Mine Construction QA/QC Program Wins ACEC-Ontario Award
2025 Ontario Engineering Project Award of Distinction - Magino Mine QA/QC Construction Program
TULLOCH’s Magino Gold Mine Construction QA/QC Program received a 2025 ACEC-Ontario Award of Distinction, recognizing the technical coordination, field delivery, and practical problem-solving behind a major Northern Ontario mining development.
The award reflects more than one construction assignment. Since beginning work at Magino in 2020, TULLOCH’s role has grown from site surveying into a long-term program involving geomatics, geotechnical and structural engineering, civil design, materials testing, GIS, construction inspection, quality assurance, and Owner’s Representative services.
TULLOCH’s work continues today across what is now the Island Gold District, where the Magino open-pit and Island Gold underground operations are being developed as a connected mining complex.
From Site Surveys to Construction Oversight
TULLOCH was initially retained to complete topographic surveys and establish a site-wide survey control network at the Magino mine near Dubreuilville, Ontario.
This early work created a consistent spatial reference for the owner, contractors, designers, and field teams working across a large and rapidly changing construction site.
As development advanced, TULLOCH’s role expanded into geotechnical investigations, civil engineering, structural design, construction quality assurance, and technical input for mine buildings and infrastructure.
The team was later selected to provide quality assurance for construction of the tailings management facility. This work brought together continuous survey verification, quantity reconciliation, materials testing, field inspection, and construction documentation.
Rather than delivering each discipline independently, TULLOCH coordinated its surveyors, engineers, technicians, inspectors, GIS specialists, and project managers around active construction needs.
Construction Support Across Multiple Disciplines
Large mine developments require fast access to accurate information as site conditions, work areas, and construction priorities change.
At Magino and across the Island Gold District, TULLOCH’s construction-stage capabilities have included:
- Construction survey control, layout, and verification
- QA surveys, progress surveys, and as-built records
- UAV photogrammetry and LiDAR data collection
- Earthworks quantities and volume reconciliation
- Geotechnical investigations and field engineering
- Civil design for roads and supporting infrastructure
- Structural design for mine buildings and infrastructure
- Foundation and support structure design
- Materials testing for soils, aggregates, asphalt, and concrete
- Construction inspections and quality documentation
- GIS mapping and digital project information
- Owner-side technical and project coordination
This connected approach helps project teams relate design requirements, field observations, testing results, and installed work within one construction framework.
Quality Assurance Grounded in the Field
Construction QA/QC is most effective when inspection, testing, surveying, and engineering remain closely connected to daily site activities.
TULLOCH has provided field inspection and verification across earthworks, trenches, utilities, foundations, blasting activities, and mine infrastructure. Survey teams have documented alignments, elevations, quantities, buried services, material placement, and completed work.
A CCIL-certified mobile laboratory allowed materials testing to remain aligned with construction schedules. Results for soils, aggregates, concrete, and asphalt gave the project team timely information to assess work against specifications and determine appropriate next steps.
TULLOCH’s geotechnical engineers also responded as subsurface conditions were exposed. Field observations, investigation data, laboratory results, and survey information informed recommendations for earthworks, foundations, retaining systems, backfill, and other infrastructure.
This direct connection between engineering and construction helped reduce uncertainty and supported decisions based on conditions encountered in the field.
Digital Information for Construction Decisions
Geomatics has served as a consistent source of project information throughout the assignment.
High-precision surveys established control for construction layout and verification. Recurring UAV surveys captured changes across the site and supported progress measurement, quantity assessment, and historical records.
LiDAR and photogrammetry generated detailed models of terrain, infrastructure, and evolving site conditions. These datasets gave project teams a broader view of construction progress and reduced reliance on isolated measurements or outdated base information.
TULLOCH also developed a GIS web map that brought information from multiple sources into one visual platform. Survey records, imagery, infrastructure data, and other project information could be reviewed together, improving access to current and historical site knowledge.
Built for Northern and Remote Construction
The Magino project required sustained field delivery in remote Northern Ontario.
Severe winter weather, changing priorities, complex logistics, long construction schedules, and limited connectivity influenced how resources and information had to be managed.
TULLOCH used field-ready equipment, flexible staffing, mobile testing capabilities, digital collaboration tools, and coordinated office-to-site workflows to maintain continuity. More than 100 TULLOCH employees contributed to the assignment from the site and supporting offices.
This depth allowed the team to scale its involvement while retaining consistent technical oversight and site knowledge through multiple construction phases.
Continuing Work Across the Island Gold District
Magino achieved its first gold pour in 2023 and became part of Alamos Gold following the company’s acquisition of Argonaut Gold in 2024.
The adjacent Magino open-pit and Island Gold underground mines now form the Island Gold District. Alamos describes the district as two long-life operations with a shared reserve and resource base and significant exploration potential.
Development continues across the district. Alamos announced an expansion plan in February 2026 that would increase the centralized Magino mill to 20,000 tonnes per day and process ore from both operations. Underground mining rates are also planned to increase following completion of the Phase 3+ shaft expansion.
In June 2026, Alamos reported that Magino mill throughput had improved to nearly 9,800 tonnes per day and was expected to average 10,000 tonnes per day during the third quarter.
TULLOCH’s work at the Island Gold District continues as the site advances through ongoing construction, expansion, and operations.
Construction Capabilities From Design to Closeout
The Magino program demonstrates how TULLOCH can remain involved throughout the construction lifecycle.
Our teams connect:
Construction Surveying
Control networks, layout, QA surveys, quantities, as-built records, deformation monitoring, UAV mapping, and LiDAR.
Structural, Civil, and Geotechnical Engineering
Building and infrastructure design, foundations, earthworks, roads, drainage, site investigations, and field-responsive engineering.
Materials Testing
Field and laboratory testing for soils, aggregates, asphalt, and concrete, supported by fixed and mobile testing resources.
Inspection and Quality Assurance
Site observations, construction verification, deficiency tracking, technical records, and documentation aligned with project specifications.
Owner’s Representative Services
Owner-side technical coordination, quality oversight, reporting, issue management, and continuity across contractors and project phases.
GIS and Digital Records
Web maps, spatial datasets, imagery, progress records, and centralized project information supporting construction, operations, and future planning.
Together, these capabilities help connect design intent with construction realities.
Recognition Built on Long-Term Trust
The ACEC-Ontario Award of Distinction recognizes the construction QA/QC program delivered during a defining stage of the Magino development.
The broader achievement is the relationship that followed.
TULLOCH progressed from individual surveying and engineering assignments into a coordinated construction and technical role spanning geomatics, structural, civil and geotechnical engineering, materials testing, inspections, GIS, and Owner’s Representative services.
The team remained involved through construction, the transition into operations, a change in ownership, and the continued development of the Island Gold District.
The award recognizes the work completed at Magino. TULLOCH’s continuing role demonstrates the lasting value of field-ready teams, connected disciplines, and construction support built around real site conditions.
