News Release
OTTAWA, November 7, 2011 – The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) announced today that the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine project in British Columbia will undergo an environmental assessment by a federal review panel.
The Minister of Environment has referred the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine to a review panel pursuant to his authority under subparagraph 29(1)(a)(ii) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
The Minister of the Environment instructed the Agency to design a process that will thoroughly assess whether the proposal addresses the environmental effects identified in the environmental assessment of the original Prosperity project. He also directed the Agency to ensure that information obtained during the previous environmental assessment is used to the extent possible in order to ensure a timely decision.
The Minister indicated that the time for the Agency to complete these activities and for the panel to conduct its review, including holding public hearings and preparing its report, is to be no more than 12 months, in total. This timeline is consistent with the prescribed timeline for a comprehensive study.
The Agency will prepare the environmental impact statement guidelines that will identify the potential environmental effects to be addressed and the information that needs to be included in the proponent’s environmental impact statement to assess the project as currently proposed. The Agency will also prepare the terms of reference for the review panel. Both of those documents will be made available for public comment prior to being finalized. The Agency will also make available funding to assist First Nations and the public to participate in the environmental assessment process.
To obtain more information on this project, including the project description, please visit the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca , reference number 11-05-63928.
Taseko Mines Ltd. proposes the construction and operation of a large open pit gold-copper mine development, approximately 125 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake in British Columbia.
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.
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Media may contact:
Annie Roy
Manager, Communications
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0396
