February 7, 2013
Environmental Assessment Bulletin
The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.
UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:
Labrador West Beneficiation Plant (Reg. 1690)
Proponent: Labrador Iron Mines Ltd.
The proponent intends to construct and operate an iron ore beneficiation plant to process ore from the Houston 1 and 2 Deposits Mining Project in western Labrador. The process involves the crushing, screening, washing and magnetic separation of the ore. Process water will be taken from an abandoned open pit. Reject water and sediment will be discharged to the same pit. Two 9 -10 kilometre pipelines will be used to transport process water from the abandoned pit and to direct reject water back into the pit. The beneficiation plant will operate from May through October each year, weather permitting. Construction is scheduled to take place in June 2014 and production is scheduled to begin in June or July, 2015.
The undertaking was registered on February 6, 2013; the deadline for public comments is March 14, 2013; and the minister’s decision is due by March 23, 2013.
Labrador West - Gravel/Sand Quarry (Reg. 1689)
Proponent: Labrador Menihek Resources
The proponent has submitted a proposal for the development of a gravel/sand quarry located approximately 15.5 kilometres east of the Town of Wabush and 1.7 kilometres south of Route 500 (Trans Labrador Highway). The proposed quarry will consist of excavating three hectares of land. Operations will include clearing, grubbing, quarrying, screening of materials and transporting the processed aggregate to the local area. The proposed quarry will produce a product for construction, mining and commercial use in Labrador West. Construction of the quarry is slated to begin in May 2013.
The undertaking was registered on February 7, 2013; the deadline for public comments is March 13, 2013; and the minister’s decision is due by March 23, 2013.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE APPOINTED:
Joyce Lake Direct Shipping Iron Ore Project (Reg. 1674)
Proponent: Labec Century Iron Ore
The following agencies have been appointed to the Environmental Assessment Committee for the above project and will provide the minister with scientific and technical advice on the project:
- Department of Environment and Conservation
- Environmental Assessment Division - Committee Chair
- Water Resources Management Division
- Pollution Prevention Division
- Wildlife Division
- Land Management Division
- Department of Advanced Education and Skills
- Skills Development Section
- Labour Market Development Section
- Department of Natural Resources
- Mineral Development Division
- Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
- Provincial Archaeology Office
- Women’s Policy Office
- Department of Transportation and Works
- Intergovernmental Affairs and Aboriginal Secretariat
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) is also conducting an environmental assessment of this project under the CEAA 2012 Act. Information on the environmental assessment can be found at:
www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/details-eng.cfm?evaluation=80015 
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
2013 02 07 10:30 a.m.