Barraute


Barraute is a municipality in the Canadian province of Quebec, located in the Abitibi Regional County Municipality.
It is home to the Mont-Vidéo Ski Resort.

History

Colonization began after the completion of the National Transcontinental Railway through the Abitibi region. In 1916, the family of Uldéric Hardy arrived, followed by a further 20 in 1917 and, by 1918, the place had a total of some 30 families. The new settlement was initially called Natagan, taken from the Natagan River, a First Nations name that means "winding waters." In 1917, the Natagan River Post Office opened, renamed to Barraute in 1919.
In 1918, the United Township Municipality of Fiedmont-et-Barraute was formed, incorporating the geographic townships of Fiedmont and Barraute. Pierre-Jean Bachoie, called Barraute, was an officer of the Régiment de Béarn in the army of General Montcalm and member of the Order of Saint Louis. Fiedmont likewise was an officer of the army of Montcalm.
In 1948, a portion of the municipal territory separated and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of Barraute. In 1950, zinc and silver mines began operating, that in addition to its favourable location along the railroad and Laflamme River, contributed to the local prosperity. In 1951, the United Township Municipality of Fiedmont-et-Barraute changed status to just municipality. But the closure of the zinc and silver mines in 1957, as well as the closure in 1965 of Canada's only lithium mine in neighbouring La Corne, dealt a blow to the economy of Barraute.
In 1978, the Town of Barville was merged into the Municipality of Fiedmont-et-Barraute and, in 1994, the Municipalities of Fiedmont-et-Barraute and Barraute were regrouped into the new Municipality of Barraute.

Economy

In 2012, Quebec Lithium Corp. reopened Quebec Lithium Mine, which had operated as an underground mine from 1955 to 1965. They are planning to carve an open pit mine over pegmatite dikes. The mine is about north of Val-d'Or, southeast of Amos, and west of Barraute. Access to the mine is via paved road from Val-d'Or.

Demographics

Population trend:
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 876
Mother tongue: