News Release
Murray River Coal Project – Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA, April 15, 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 Murray River Coal Project located in northeastern British Columbia. 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.

HD Mining International Ltd. proposes the construction, operation and decommissioning of an underground coal mine and supporting infrastructure, including a 5.8 kilometre rail load-out. The project is located 12.5 kilometres southwest of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The proposed project would produce six million tonnes of metallurgical coal per annum for an estimated mine life of 31 years.

Written comments must be submitted by May 6, 2013 to:

Murray River Coal Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
410-701 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1C6
Telephone: 604-666-2431
Fax: 604-666-6990
MurrayRiver@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 (registry reference number 80041). 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.

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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For more information, media may contact:
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Céline Legault
Communications Advisor
Telephone: 613-957-0278
Celine.Legault@ceea-acee.gc.ca

Document Reference Number: 2

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