Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Assessment

Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project
Fort McKay (AB)

January 19, 2012 -- Under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (the Act), the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) is responsible for exercising the powers and performing the duties and functions of the responsible authority for certain projects subject to a comprehensive study.

The Agency has determined that the requirements to commence an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act have been met. On January 19, 2012, the Minister of the Environment referred the project to a review panel.

The Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project (the Project), proposed by Teck Resources Limited and SilverBirch Energy Corporation, includes the construction, operation and reclamation of an oil sands surface mine with a production capacity of about 277,000 barrels per day of bitumen. The Project is located in northeastern Alberta, approximately 110 kilometres north of Fort McMurray. The Project is a truck and shovel mine which includes three open pits, ore preparation plants, bitumen extraction plants, bitumen froth treatment plants, tailings and tailings preparation and management facilities, cogeneration facilities, support utilities, disposal and storage areas, river water intake, fish habitat compensation lake, roads, airfield and camp. The estimated project area is over 29,000 hectares. If the Project is approved, the proponent proposes to start producing oil in 2021.

An environmental assessment is required in relation to the project because Fisheries and Oceans Canada may take action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act. Transport Canada is participating in this environmental assessment as they might be required to make a decision in respect of the project.

This project is also subject to the environmental assessment requirements of the Government of Alberta.

As per the Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects, this environmental assessment has been identified as a major natural resource project. For additional information refer to the Major Projects Management Office's Tracker that monitors the progress of proposed major resource projects through the federal regulatory review system.

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Place Bell Canada, 22nd floor
160 Elgin St.
Ottawa  ON  K1A 0H3
Telephone : 613-957-0700 or 1-866-582-1884
Email : Frontier.Review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

and refer to Registry reference number 12-05-65505

 

Document Reference Number: 3

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