Whabouchi Mining Project - Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA, Oct. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is conducting an environmental assessment of the proposed Whabouchi Mining Project, located in Quebec. The Agency invites the public to comment on the potential environmental effects of the project and the proposed measures to prevent or mitigate those effects as described in a summary of the proponent's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Written comments must be submitted by November 2, 2013 to:

Whabouchi Mining Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
901-1550 d'Estimauville Avenue
Québec, QC G1J 0C1
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]

To view the summary of the EIS or for more information, visit the Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca (registry reference number 80021). All comments received will be considered public

Copies of the summary of the EIS are also available for viewing at the following locations:

Chibougamau Municipal Library 601 Third Street Chibougamau, QC	Cree Nation of Nemaska 32 Machishteweyaau Trail Nemiscau, QC
Matagami Municipal Library 30 Cavelier Street Matagami, QC	Isaac Shecapio Sr. Administrative Building 187 Main Street Mistissini, QC

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the third of four opportunities for Canadians to comment on this project. Following this comment period, the Agency will prepare a draft Environmental Assessment Report, setting out its conclusions and recommendations regarding the potential environmental effects of the project, the proposed mitigation measures, and the significance of any remaining adverse environmental effects. A public comment period on the draft Environmental Assessment Report will be announced at a later date.

Projects subject to CEAA 2012 are 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.

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 30 kilometres from Nemiscau and 280 kilometres north of Chibougamau. As proposed, the project includes the operation of an open pit, a waste rock pile, a tailings impoundment area, an ore concentrator, and administration and maintenance buildings. The mine would produce approximately 3,000 tonnes per day of ore over a mine life of 23 years.

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

For more information, media may contact: 
Sofie McCoy-Astell
Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]