Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Assessment

Elmtree Property Gold Mine - Dauversière, New Brunswick
Dauversière (NB)

March 15, 2011 -- 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.

Based on information it has received, the Agency has determined that the project is described in the comprehensive study list and that an environmental assessment pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act is required. As a result, a comprehensive study commenced on March 15, 2011.

Castle Resources Inc. is proposing to develop an open-pit gold mine located approximately 20 kilometres to the northwest of Bathurst, New Brunswick. The mine would have a lifespan of 18 to 24 months and extract up to 559,000 tonnes per year of gold-containing ore for off-site processing.

The project includes all activities and physical works associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed Elmtree Property Gold Mine, including, but not limited to, the following activities and components:

• mining;
• stockpiling of ore, waste rock, and organics and overburden;
• runoff collection and treatment;
• relocation of a section of the South Branch Elmtree River;
• transportation of the ore for off-site processing at an existing approved facility; and
• ore processing and any modifications required to the existing ore processing facility. 

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.

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

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:
Elmtree Property Gold Mine
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Vanessa Rodrigues, Project Manager
1801 Hollis Street
Suite 200
Halifax  NS  B3J 3N4
Telephone : 902-426-0564
Fax : 902-426-6550
Email : elmtreegoldmine@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

and refer to Registry reference number 11-03-61036