Environmental Assessment Bulletin

The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Buchan’s Highway - River Run Outfitting Lodge     (Reg. 1626)
Proponent: Island Trails Ltd.

The proponent has submitted a proposal to develop a multi-phase chalet and adventure tourism operation on the Buchan’s Highway, approximately 3.5 kilometres from the Town of Badger. Phase one will consist of constructing four chalets, storage building, main lodge and associated access roads. This facility will serve as a launching point for kayak and rafting tours on the Exploit’s River. Future phases will include an organic farm to the west, with the possibility of expansion of accommodation facilities. Work is scheduled to begin in spring 2012.

The undertaking was registered on December 22, 2011; the deadline for public comments is January 26, 2012; and the minister’s decision is due by February 3, 2012.

Houston 1 and 2 Deposits Mining Project     (Reg. 1625)
Proponent: Labrador Iron Mines Limited

The proponent intends to develop iron ore deposits on their Houston 1 and 2 properties in western Labrador. The Houston 1 and 2 deposits are located approximately 10 kilometres from an existing iron ore mine (Redmond Mine) operated by the proponent. The proposal involves open-pit mining and processing of “direct shipping” iron ore from the two deposits, construction of a mining haul road to connect to the existing Redmond Mine and construction of four kilometres long rail siding to connect with existing rail infrastructure. The proposed mine is situated approximately 20 kilometres southeast of the town of Schefferville, Quebec and will produce up to 3.5 million metric tonnes of iron ore per year. All development will occur within Labrador. Ore will be transported by existing railway to the port of Sept-Îles, Quebec. The proposed project includes construction, operation, rehabilitation and closure of the following primary components: open pit, waste rock disposal areas, processing infrastructure, tailings management facility, ancillary infrastructure to support the mine and processing plant, and a rail transportation component. Construction is proposed to start in 2012 or early 2013. Production is scheduled to commence in the last quarter of 2013 and will be completed by 2019 followed by the decommissioning and rehabilitation phases.

The undertaking was registered on December 21, 2011; the deadline for public comments is January 26, 2012; and the minister’s decision is due by February 2, 2012.

For further information on the environmental assessment process, please contact the Director of Environmental Assessment at 709-729-4211 or toll-free:
1-800-563-6181 or by mail to:

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

Environmental assessment information is on the department website at: www.gov.nl.ca/env 

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Media contact:
Melony O’Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca 

2011 12 22             1:35 p.m.