News Release
Joyce Lake Direct Shipping Iron Ore Project – Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA, November 19, 2012 – 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 determine whether a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Joyce Lake Direct Shipping Iron Ore 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.

Labec Century Iron Ore is proposing the construction, operation, closure, decommissioning and rehabilitation of an open-pit iron mine located approximately 20 kilometres northeast of Schefferville in Newfoundland and Labrador. As proposed, the mine would produce up to four million tonnes of ore per year over a life span of up to 7 years. The ore would be transported to the existing rail owned by Tshiuetin Rail Transportation Inc. for transportation to the Port of Sept-Îles. The mine and mine infrastructure would consist of the following components: an open pit, waste rock disposal, tailings management, processing and support infrastructure, access and haulage roads, and a rail loop.

Written comments must be submitted by December 9, 2012 to:

Joyce Lake Direct Shipping Iron Ore Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
1801 Hollis Street, Suite 200
Halifax NS B3J 3N4
Telephone: 902-426-0564
Fax: 902-426-6550
JoyceLake@ceaa-ceaa.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 80015). All comments received will be considered public.

The Agency will post a decision stating whether a federal environmental assessment is required on its website.

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.

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
Tel.: 613-957-0278