Joyce Lake Direct Shipping Iron Ore Project - Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA, Jan. 4, 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 has determined that a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Joyce Lake Direct Shipping Iron Ore Project in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Agency invites the public to comment on which aspects of the environment may be affected by this project and what should be examined during the environmental assessment.

The public can review and comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines, a document that identifies the potential environmental effects to be taken into consideration and the information and analysis that needs to be included in the proponent's EIS.

Labec Century Iron Ore is proposing the construction, operation, closure, decommissioning and rehabilitation of an open-pit iron mine located approximately 20 kilometres northeast of Schefferville in Newfoundland and Labrador. As proposed, the mine would produce up to four million tonnes of ore per year over a life span of up to seven years. The ore would be transported to the existing rail owned by Tshiuetin Rail Transportation Inc. for transportation to the Port of Sept-Îles. The mine and mine infrastructure would consist of: open pits, waste rock disposal, tailings management, processing and support infrastructure, access and haulage roads, and a rail loop.

Written comments must be submitted by February 3, 2013 to:

Joyce Lake Direct Shipping Iron Ore Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
1801 Hollis Street, Suite 200
Halifax  NS  B3J 3N4
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

To view the draft EIS Guidelines or for more information, visit the Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca (registry reference number 80015). All comments received will be considered public.

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

Sept-Îles Public Library
500, ave Joliette
Sept-Îles, QC

Margaret Butt Memorial Public Library
306 Hudson Drive
Labrador City, NL

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the second of four opportunities for Canadians to comment on this project. Following this comment period, the Agency will finalize and issue the EIS Guidelines to the proponent. An application period for participant funding and a future public comment period related to the EIS will be announced later.

This project will be 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 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 further information:

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