Review Panel determines sufficiency of information and announces public
hearing for proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine project

OTTAWA , Feb. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - The Panel reviewing the proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine project today announced that the environmental impact statement (EIS) along with the additional information submitted by the proponent contains sufficient information to proceed to the public hearing on the environmental effects of the project.

Public hearing sessions will begin on March 22, 2010 .

The public hearing will give interested individuals and organizations the opportunity to hear about the project and its potential impacts and to provide their views to the review panel. The hearing will also allow the proponent to present the project and to offer clarifying information as required.

The public hearing will begin with general hearing sessions in Williams Lake , B.C. starting on March 22, 2010 , followed by sessions in 100 Mile House and Alexis Creek .

Following the general hearing sessions, the Panel will hold community hearing sessions in order to allow participants an opportunity to present to the Panel their views on the impacts of the proposed project and on issues of importance to First Nations in a more informal setting. These sessions are expected to take place in the communities of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation, Stone Band, Toosey Band, Anaham Band, Alexis Creek Band, Canoe Creek First Nation and Esketemc First Nation, starting on March 29, 2010 .

Following the community hearing sessions, the Panel will hold topic-specific sessions in Williams Lake starting on or around April 26, 2010 . The exact start date of the topic-specific sessions will be provided in the near future. These sessions will be more technical in nature. Topic-specific sessions are expected to be held on the following subjects: alternative means of carrying out the project; water quality and quantity; fish and fish habitat; terrestrial ecosystem; and socio-economics. Additional topic-specific sessions may be held if required.

Following the close of the public hearing, the Panel will complete its report within 60 days, as outlined in its terms of reference.

The Panel will soon provide further details on the hearing session dates and locations. The public hearing procedures, which are currently available, outline how the various sessions will unfold. The public hearing procedures were previously finalized following a public comment period.

Participants who wish to make a presentation to the Panel at any of the hearing sessions are asked to register with the Panel secretariat 10 days in advance of the hearing sessions as follows:

    
    -   General sessions - register and file submissions by March 12, 2010
    -   Community sessions - register and file any submissions by
        March 19, 2010
    -   Topic-specific sessions - register and file submissions by
        approximately April 16, 2010
    

To register, file a submission for the hearing sessions and schedule your presentation, contact:

Colette Spagnuolo , Panel Manager

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

160 Elgin Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0H3

Tel.: [phone] or Toll free: 1-866-582-1884

Cell phone: [phone]

[email protected]

The Panel's sufficiency determination letter and hearing procedures document, along with more information on the panel review are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca, under registry number 09-05-44811.

The proponent, Taseko Mines Limited is proposing to develop an open-pit gold-copper mine located 125 km southwest of Williams Lake , B.C. The proposed project also includes tailings and waste rock areas, an onsite mill, an approximately 125-km long power transmission line corridor and an access road.

The Panel is an independent body, appointed by the federal Minister of the Environment to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project. The Panel was appointed in January 2009 and its Terms of Reference provide details as to how the review is to be conducted and the specified time frame.

For further information: Media may contact: Lucille Jamault, Manager, Communications, Tel.: [phone]