Kipawa Rare Earths Project - Federal Funding Allocated to Participate in the Environmental Assessment

OTTAWA, Sept. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has allocated a total of $189,849 to nine applicants to support their participation in the federal environmental assessment of the proposed Kipawa Rare Earths Project, located in Quebec.

This funding was made available to the public and Aboriginal groups through the Participant Funding Program administered by the Agency. It will enable participation in upcoming steps of the environmental assessment, which include reviewing and providing comments on the Environmental Impact Statement and draft Environmental Assessment Report.

Details of Allocation

Applicant	Allocation
Wolf Lake First Nation	$50,000
Eagle Village First Nation	$50,000
Timiskaming First Nation	$32,250
Société pour vaincre la pollution	$10,200
MiningWatch Canada	$9,826.80
Organisme de bassin versant du Témiscamingue	$9,447.20
Association des gestionnaires de Zecs de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue	$7,425
Nature Québec	$10,500
Association pour l'avenir des ressources témiscamiennes	$10,200
Total	$189,849

For more information on the Participant Funding Program, the federal environmental assessment process and the project, please visit the Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca Registry reference number: 80029).

As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Agency is conducting a federal environmental assessment of this project.

This project is being assessed using a science-based approach. If it is permitted to proceed to the next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canada's strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up, and increased fines.

The Proposed Project
Matamec Explorations Inc. proposes the construction, operation, and decommissioning of a rare earths open-pit mine about 40 kilometers east of the municipality of Kipawa. The proposed project would process 1.3 million tonnes of ore per year over a 15-year operation period with a daily average extraction rate of 3,650 tonnes. The concentrate would be shipped by train and then by boat to Asian or European refineries. The proposed project would also include the construction of a concentrator as well as ancillary buildings such as storage, a laboratory, and administrative offices.

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.  

SOURCE: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Sofie McCoy-Astell
Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]