Whabouchi Mining Project - Federal Funding Available

OTTAWA, March 18, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is making available $30,600 to support public participation in the federal environmental assessment of the Whabouchi Mining Project located in Québec.

Funding will be provided to eligible individuals and groups to enable their participation in upcoming steps of the environmental assessment such as consultation related to the Environmental Impact Statement and consultation on the draft Environmental Assessment Report.

Applications received by April 17, 2013 will be considered. Recipients will be announced at a later date.

To apply for funding or for more information on the project and the environmental assessment process, visit the Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca registry reference number 80021) or contact the Participant Funding Program by writing to [email protected] or by calling 1-866-582-1884.

The Agency's Participant Funding Program also provides funding specifically to Aboriginal groups to assist them to prepare for and participate in consultation activities associated with federal environmental assessment. The amount of funding allocated will be announced at a later date.

The proposed project
Nemaska Lithium inc. is proposing the construction, operation and decommissioning of an open pit spodumene mine for the production of lithium. The Whabouchi mine is located at 30 km of Nemiscau and 280 km north of Chibougamau. As proposed, the project includes the operation of an open pit, waste and tailings impoundment area, a concentrator of ore as well as administration buildings and maintenance. The mine would produce about 3 000 tonnes of ore for 23-year life span.

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 the project 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.

SOURCE: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

For more information, media may contact: 
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Céline Legault
Communications Advisor
Tel.: [phone]