Environment and Labour Minister Kevin Aylward has announced the following events relative to the Environmental Assessment Act. In the case of documents received or approved, copies can be obtained by contacting the regional office of the Department of Environment and Labour or by calling toll-free 1-800-563-6181. Comments on submitted documents are invited from the public, addressed in writing to the minister, and are welcome prior to the deadline date following each item.

• Argentia Nickel Smelter and Refinery
  Proponent: Voisey's Bay Nickel Company Limited

The proponent proposes to construct and operate a smelter/refinery at Argentia to process nickel concentrate produced at the Voisey's Bay Mill on the northern coast of Labrador. The facility will convert concentrate into a saleable form, nickel metal for shipment to world markets. It will also produce byproducts of cobalt metal, copper powder and sulfuric acid. The smelter/refinery will be designed to produce 270 million pounds per year of refined nickel by typically processing 840,000 metric tonnes (1.8 billion pounds) per year of concentrate. The project will include: roads and parking, port, materials handling, smelter building, sulfuric acid plant, sulfuric acid storage and loadout system, slag disposal, oxygen plant, cooling water system, refinery buildings, waste water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, process and potable water system, electrical substation and power distribution system, fuel system, administration and laboratory buildings, maintenance shops, warehouse and changehouse. The proposal was registered on December 9, 1996 and the minister's decision is due on January 23, 1997. The project is also being reviewed simultaneously by the federal government under s. 21 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act which requires the completion of a Comprehensive Study report by the Federal Responsible Authority, Public Works and Government Services Canada.

• Gisborne Lake (McCurdy Group of Companies) Water Export
  Proponent: McCurdy Group of Companies

The proponent proposes to develop a water export facility at Gisborne Lake, north of Grand Le Pierre at the head of Fortune Bay. The development will consist of a water supply intake, pipeline and marine loading facility for Ultra Large Crude Carrier vessels. Access to the site will require the construction of an access road along the pipeline route. In addition, a bottling plant will be constructed in an accessible area close to the pipeline. Maximum water usage is estimated to be 300,000 cubic metres per week. Other structures will include: timber crib dam and spillway, concrete intake structure, gravity pipeline (underground) and loading facility. Construction of the project is tentatively scheduled to begin in 1997, with an operation date of late 1998 to early 1999. The project was registered on December 5, 1996 and the minister's decision is due on January 19, 1997.

The public is invited to examine these registration documents and offer written comment to the minister on whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should be ordered. The deadline for the receipt of public comments is January 10, 1997.

A guide to the Environmental Assessment Process is available from the Department of Environment and Labour. The minister encourages all interested parties to become involved and to make comments known. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Director of Environmental Assessment at (709) 729-2562 or toll-free: 1-800-563-6181 or by mail to:

• Director, Environmental Assessment Division
  Department of Environment and Labour
  West Block, Confederation Building
  P.O. Box 8700
  St. John's, NF
  A1B 4J6