OTTAWA, March 16, 2005 -- The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency today announced the establishment of a $200,000 Participant Funding Program to allow First Nations and the public to take part in the joint panel review of the Kemess North Copper-Gold Mine proposal in north central British Columbia. The total funding amount will be made available in two separate phases. Phase I: Up to $50,000 will be provided in participant funding to help individuals to take part in the review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guidelines. The EIA Guidelines serve as a guide for the proponent in preparing an assessment of the projected impacts of the proposal on the environment. A funding review committee, independent of the joint panel review, will consider all applications and recommend the allocation of funds to applicants according to the eligibility criteria set out in the Participant Funding Program Guide. Only expenditures incurred following the allocation of funding will be eligible. Applications received by April 15, 2005, will be considered. Successful applicants will be required to sign a contribution agreement with the Agency. Phase II: Up to $150,000 will be available to the public to prepare for and take part in the panel hearings. Information regarding funding applications for Phase II will be announced at a later date. The Participant Funding Program Guide [PDF - 1,362 kb], the application form and information on the panel review process of the project are available on the Agency's Web site. Northgate Minerals Corporation proposes to develop the Kemess North copper and gold deposit, 250 km northeast of Smithers. The project is located 6 km north of its existing Kemess Mine, which is projected to close in late 2008. The project includes development of a new open pit, modification of the existing mill, and related infrastructure. The project would result in present day milling capacity at the operating Kemess mine being increased from the current 55,000 tonnes per day to up to 120,000 tonnes per day. - 30 - 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. For more information on the Participant Funding Program, or to submit an application, please contact: Peter Bedrossian Participant Funding Program Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: (613) 957-0254 E-mail: peter.bedrossian@ceaa-acee.gc.ca - 30 - For information on the joint panel review process, please contact: Susan Toller Kemess North Copper-Gold Mine Review Panel Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: (613) 957-0752 E-mail: susan.toller@ceaa-acee.gc.ca Media may contact: Robert Deslauriers Senior Communications Advisor Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3 Tel.: (613) 957-0396 Fax: (613) 957-0946
