Environmental Assessment Decision Statement

Donkin Export Coking Coal Project, Nova Scotia

July 12, 2013 – The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, has reviewed the federal environmental assessment of the Donkin Export Coking Coal Project (the Project) proposed by Xstrata Coal Donkin Management Limited. Pursuant to section 125 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, the environmental assessment of this project continued under the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, (the former Act).

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

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

The Minister has referred the Project back to the responsible authorities, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada, for appropriate action under section 37 of the former Act.

The Minister requests that the responsible authorities ensure the implementation of the mitigation measures described in the Comprehensive Study Report. The Minister also requests that the responsible authorities implement the follow-up program described in the Comprehensive Study 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.