As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency must decide whether a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Griffith Iron Ore Redevelopment Project located in Ontario. To assist it in making its decision, the Agency is seeking comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment.
Northern Iron Corp. proposes the redevelopment of the former Griffith Mine within the Township of Ear Falls in northwestern Ontario. The project would involve the construction, operation, closure and remediation of a past-producing open pit iron ore mine. The proposed project would produce approximately 16,000 tonnes of ore per day, with a mine life of approximately 20 years. The iron ore would be milled on-site to produce slightly more than 4,000 tonnes per day of hot briquetted iron.
Written comments must be submitted by April 1, 2013 to :
Griffith Iron Ore Redevelopment Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
55 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 907,
Toronto ON M4T 1M2
Telephone: 416-952-1576
Fax: 416-952-1573
Griffith@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
To view a summary of the project description or for more information on the project and on the environmental assessment process, visit the Agency's website at www.ceaa.gc.ca (registry reference number 80035). All comments received will be considered public.
The Agency will post on its website a decision stating whether a federal environmental assessment is required.
If it is decided that a federal environmental assessment is required, the public will have three more opportunities to comment on this project, consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012.
Projects subject to CEAA 2012 are assessed using a science-based approach. If the project is permitted to proceed to the next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canada's strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up, and increased fines.
