OTTAWA – August 19, 2009 – The federal Panel reviewing the proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project is inviting comment on the additional information provided by the proponent, Taseko Mines Limited.
The information was provided in response to questions sent to the proponent by the Panel on June 24, 2009. The questions were issued following the Panel’s review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) made public in March 2009, the comments submitted by interested parties after their review of the EIS and the proponent’s responses to those comments.
Aboriginal groups, governments and the public are now invited to review the additional information and provide comments to the Panel. The Panel must receive all comments on the additional information in writing by September 18, 2009 in order to be considered. All comments will be shared with the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and made public via the federal online registry. Forward your written comments in the official language of your choice by mail, e-mail or fax to the attention of:
Colette Spagnuolo, Panel Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0541 / 1-866-582-1884
Fax: 613-957-0941
prosperity.review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
For the purposes of the Panel review, this 30-day comment period gives Aboriginal groups, governments and the public an opportunity to submit their views in writing to the Panel on the adequacy of the additional information as measured against the EIS Guidelines and on the technical merit of the information presented. Opportunities to present overall views on the project will be provided at the future public hearing.
After reviewing the additional information and comments received, the Panel will determine whether it has sufficient information to proceed to the public hearing. A public notice will be issued and interested parties notified at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the hearing.
The EIS, the information requests and the additional information from the proponent, are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, under registry # 09-05-44811.
The proponent, Taseko Mines Limited is proposing to develop an open pit gold-copper mine located 125 km SW 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 timeframe.
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For more information, media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Manager, Communications
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
