Social and environmental issues in the Abitibi-Temiscamingue region have always preoccupied Simon Plouffe. He grew up in Rouyn-Noranda, near a copper mine and a foundry, in the historic district of Noranda. Since his early age, he feels concerned with the situation of mining in his hometown.

Creative and passionate, Simon earned a Bachelor degree of the Faculty of Fine Arts in Film Production from Concordia University. In his practice, he mainly explores the sound spectrum in both creation and design of soundtracks. He had the chance to work as a soundman on several documentaries, TV magazines, short and long feature films, that lead him from Quebec to Rwanda, in the space of one summer.

In 2008, when the controversy surrounding the open-pit mining, bursts in Quebec, he feels the urge to appeal to this heartfelt cause. Therefore, he develops a documentary project based on the citizens of Malartic, in Abitibi-Temiscamingue, who are facing the implementation of an open-pit mine in their town.

His first feature-length documentary The Gold of Others, witnesses the emergency to document this tragedy. His knowledge of the milieu and his sensitive approach, give the citizens of Malartic the chance to express themselves while undergoing this reality.