Environmental Assessment Decision Statement
Hammond Reef Gold Project, Ontario

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment (the Minister), has reviewed the federal environmental assessment of the Hammond Reef Gold Project (the Project) proposed by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. Pursuant to section 125 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012), the environmental assessment of the Project was completed under the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (the former Act).

Having taken into consideration the federal Comprehensive Study Report (the Report) and the public comments filed pursuant to subsection 22(2) of the former Act, the Minister is of the opinion that:

• the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects on components of the environment, taking into account the mitigation measures described in the Report; and
• the mitigation and follow-up program measures described in the Report are appropriate for the Project.

The Minister has referred the Project back to Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Natural Resources Canada for appropriate action under section 37 of the former Act.

The Minister requests that Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Natural Resources Canada ensure the implementation of the mitigation measures described in the Report. The Minister also requests that Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Natural Resources Canada ensure the implementation of the follow-up program measures described in the Report, in order to determine the effectiveness of the measures taken to mitigate any adverse environmental effects and to verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment of the Project.