Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Assessment

Schaft Creek Mine Project

Mess Creek; Schaft Creek; Telegraph Creek (BC)

September 29, 2010 (Updated April 12, 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.

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 September 27, 2010.

Copper Fox Metals Inc.'s proposal is to develop an open pit polymetallic (copper-gold-molybdenum-silver) mine approximately 60 kilometres south of Telegraph Creek, British Columbia with a proposed ore production rate of up to 150,000 tonnes per day over a minimum 15-year operation period. The project would utilize conventional truck and shovel equipment and typical drill and blast techniques, and would include an explosives storage facility. The ore would be crushed, milled and filtered on-site to produce ore concentrates. The project would also include an access road and a 287-kilovolt transmission line within the Mess Creek watershed. The mine pit, plant/mill, and waste rock storage facilities are proposed to be located along the east bank of Schaft Creek. An airfield would also be constructed to the east of the pit. The tailings impoundment area would be located within the Skeeter Creek watershed (a tributary of Schaft Creek). The scope of the environmental assessment will also include the transportation of materials and supplies along Highway 37 from Kitwanga to the mine site as well as the transportation of ore concentrate by way of truck along Highway 37 to the Port of Stewart, British Columbia.

An environmental assessment is required in relation to the project because Environment Canada may take action in relation to subsection 10(1) of the International River Improvements Regulations; Fisheries and Oceans Canada may take action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act; Natural Resources Canada may take action in relation to paragraph 7(1)(a) of the Explosives Act and Transport Canada may take action in relation to section 5 of the Navigable Waters Protection Act.

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

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
Schaft Creek Mine Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Catherine Ponsford, Project Manager
410 - 701 West Georgia Street
Vancouver  BC  V7Y 1C6
Telephone : 604-666-2431
Fax : 604-666-6990
Email : SchaftCreekEA@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

and refer to Registry reference number 10-03-57852

Document Reference Number: 8

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