Public Notice
Houston Beneficiation Plant Project – Public Comments Invited

March 4, 2013

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 Houston Beneficiation Plant Project in Newfoundland and Labrador. 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.

Labrador Iron Mines proposes to develop a beneficiation plant in western Labrador, approximately 20 km southeast of Schefferville, Quebec. The plant would process iron ore from the Houston 1 and 2 Deposits Mining Project, located nearby. The beneficiation process involves the crushing, screening, washing (with water) and magnetic separation of the rock. The plant would process up to 1.5 million tonnes of ore per year over a 12 year period.

Written comments must be submitted by March 25, 2013 to :

Houston Beneficiation Plant Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
1801 Hollis Street, Suite 200
Halifax NS B3J 3N4
Telephone: 902-426-0564
Fax: 902-426-6550
Houston@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Map depicting the location of the project, as described in the current document.

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 (registry reference number 80027). 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 determined 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.

Document Reference Number: 1

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