OTTAWA – August 18, 2011 – The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) is conducting a comprehensive study type of environmental assessment for the proposed Sisson Project (Tungsten and Molybdenum Mine) located 60 kilometres northwest of Fredericton, New Brunswick.
The Agency invites the public to comment on the project and the conduct of the comprehensive study and to identify environmental issues that should be considered in the environmental assessment.
The Agency has issued the draft Joint (federal/provincial) Terms of Reference that identify potential environmental effects to be addressed and information that needs to be included in the proponent’s Environmental Impact Assessment. Public comments on the draft Joint Terms of Reference are invited and will be reviewed and considered by both the federal and provincial governments before the document is finalized.
The draft Joint Terms of Reference and more information on this project are available on the Agency’s Web site, in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry under reference number 11-03-63169. The document is available in hard copy by request as well.
The Agency is also making available $100,000 under its Participant Funding Program to assist groups and individuals to take part in upcoming steps in the federal environmental assessment of this project.
Public comments and funding applications received by October 3, 2011 will be considered.
This is the first of several public comment periods that will occur during the environmental assessment of the project. Future public participation opportunities will be announced at a later date.
Northcliff Resources Ltd. (the proponent) is proposing to develop an open pit mine for the purpose of extracting tungsten and molybdenum-containing ore, approximately 60 kilometres northwest of Fredericton, New Brunswick. The mine would have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years and extract between 20,000 and 40,000 tonnes of ore per day for on-site processing. The project would involve a conventional open pit mine and associated processing, storage, waste treatment and disposal facilities, as well as a new 25 kilometre transmission line.
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.
Media may contact:
Céline Legault
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Communications Advisor
Telephone: 613-957-0278
