News Release
Niobec Mine Expansion Project – Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA, November 16, 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 Niobec Mine Expansion Project located north of Saguenay in Quebec. 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.

Mine Niobec, the proponent, proposes to substantially increase ore production at the Niobec mine, located in Saint-Honoré, in the Saguenay region, by changing its underground mining method. This would increase the ore production capacity from 2.2 to 10 million tonnes per year and triple the annual production of ferroniobium. As proposed, the project has over a 40-year life span and includes the construction of a new industrial complex with facilities to handle the ore treatment and the disposal of additional volume of tailings.

Written comments must be submitted by December 6, 2012 to:

Niobec Mine Expansion Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
55 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 907
Toronto ON M4T 1M2
Telephone: 416-952-1576
Fax: 416-952-1573
MineNiobecMine@ceaa-acee.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 80011). 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

Document Reference Number: 1

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