OTTAWA, August 12, 2013 – The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is making available funding to support participation of the public and Aboriginal groups in the federal environmental assessment of the Victor Diamond Mine Extension Project located in Ontario.
Funding is available for eligible individuals and groups to enable their participation in upcoming steps of the environmental assessment, which include reviewing and providing comments on the Environmental Impact Statement and draft Environmental Assessment Report.
Applications received by September 13, 2013 will be considered. Recipients and the amount of funding allocated will be announced at a later date.
To apply for funding or for more information on the project and the environmental assessment process, visit the Agency's website (registry reference number 80043) or contact the Participant Funding Program by writing to PFP.PAFP@ceaa-acee.gc.ca or by calling 1-866-582-1884.
As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Agency is conducting a federal environmental assessment of this project.
This project is being 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.
De Beers Canada Incorporated proposes the construction, operation and decommissioning of a second pit and additional ancillary components, approximately 6.5 kilometres northwest of the existing Victor Diamond Mine, located approximately 100 kilometres west of the Attawapiskat First Nation, in Ontario. The second pit is expected to have an ore production capacity of just over 9,000 tonnes per day with a mine life of roughly seven years.
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.
-30-
