Arnaud Mine Project - Public Comments Invited and Federal Funding Available

OTTAWA, Jan. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) is conducting a comprehensive study environmental assessment of the proposed Arnaud Mine Project located in Québec. The public is invited to comment on the project and the conduct of the comprehensive study.

The public is also invited to comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines that identify potential environmental effects to be addressed and information that needs to be included in the proponent's EIS. Public comments received will be reviewed and considered before the guidelines are finalized and issued to the proponent.

The draft EIS Guidelines and more information on this project are available on the Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca (registry reference number 12-03-63926). The document is available in paper copy by request as well.

The Agency is also making available $40,000 under its Participant Funding Program to assist groups and individuals to participate in activities related to subsequent public consultations during this environmental assessment.

Public comments and funding applications received by February 24, 2012 will be considered.

This is the first of several public comment periods that will occur during the environmental assessment of the project.

Mine Arnaud Inc's proposed project consists of the construction, operation and decommissioning of an approximately 24-million-tonne apatite concentrate and 48-million-tonne titaniferous magnetite concentrate mine. The project includes an open-pit mine, crushing facilities, an ore processing plant, an apatite concentrate loading system, an electricity grid, a tailings storage facility, including titaniferous magnetite storage bins, service buildings, and moving a section of the railway. The project also requires the construction of facilities to handle, store and transfer apatite concentrates on Sept-Îles Port Authority grounds.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.

Media may contact:

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Céline Legault
Communications Advisor
Tel.: [phone]