On March 25, 2011 the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) released for public comment two documents related to the environmental assessment of the proposed Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine Project in Ontario.
The documents are the draft Agreement to establish a joint review panel with Ontario and the draft Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment has also released for public comment the draft Ontario Harmonization Order. These documents set-out the parameters of the environmental assessment, including details on the process, public participation opportunities, timeframes, and guidance to the proponent on the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.
These documents, as well as a backgrounder, are available at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca (Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry number 10-05-54755), at www.ebr.gov.on.ca (Environmental Bill of Rights Registry number 011-2773) or from the contact information below.
Written comments on the draft documents, in either English or French, must be received no later than May 9, 2011, and sent to:
Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3
Tel.: 1-866-582-1884 / Fax: 613-954-0941
Marathon.Review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
To be kept informed of activities relating to the proposed panel process, provide a mailing address, an e-mail address or a fax number to the above-mentioned contact information.
Stillwater Canada Inc. proposes to develop and operate the Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine Project approximately 10 kilometres north of the Town of Marathon. This Project involves the establishment and operation of an open pit mine and mill for the purpose of extracting and processing ore containing copper and platinum group metals and including, but not limited to, any ancillary activities and the activities outlined below:
- the construction and/or use of equipment, buildings and structures;
- the establishment, construction and operation of tailing impoundment areas, explosives factory and magazine facilities, waste rock storage areas, water management facilities, transmission lines, temporary and emergency generation facilities, and activities to mitigate environmental impacts;
- the decommissioning, closure and abandonment of the mine and mine-related infrastructure;
- the establishment, construction and/or modification and use of transportation infrastructure including access roads, highways and/or rail lines to support the above-mentioned activities and the transport of final mine concentrate(s).
