Beaver Dam Mine Project

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Attachment From Atlantic Mining NS Inc. to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada re: Project Timeline Update for the required information and studies under CEAA 2012 (Response Document - See related document 339)

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Administrator on behalf of Atlantic Mining NS Inc.
  • Reference number: 341
  • Submitted: 2023-03-03
  • Please see the attached submission.
  • Attachment included
  • March 3, 2023 Kathryn MacCarthy Project Manager – Atlantic Region Impact Assessment Agency of Canada 200-1801 Hollis St Halifax, NS B3J 3N4 Subject: Beaver Dam Mine Project — Project Timeline Update Dear Ms. MacCarthy: Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia Inc. (AMNS) is writing to provide an update on the three-year extension granted by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) for the Beaver Dam Mine Project (the Project). As communicated on December 12, 2022, AMNS has elected to pause the permitting process under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) to provide additional time for further engagement with Mi’kmaq communities and organizations, Department of Fisheries and Ocean (DFO), and other affected stakeholders. Round 3 IR responses will only proceed after AMNS is able to achieve proper engagement and understanding of the project with Mi’kmaq communities and organizations, and DFO. AMNS understands that as a part of the extension approval, the information or studies for the Environmental Assessment (EA) under CEAA 2012 must be provided within the extension of the time limit that has been granted. Given the recent news of the decision to pause the Project, AMNS is providing an update on the previously submitted proposed work plan. Progress to Date In our previous extension request for the Project, we requested additional time to respond to the Round 3 IRs, but more importantly, to allow for meaningful engagement with Mi’kmaq communities and organizations, and DFO. The outcomes of this engagement were a substantial contributor to the decision to pause the permitting process for the Project. • IR3 Responses: Round 3 IR responses are now near completion ...

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Attachment From Atlantic Mining NS Inc. to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada in response to the Agency's comments on Supplemental Information provided (Agency's comments - see related document 338)

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Administrator on behalf of Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia Inc.
  • Reference number: 340
  • Submitted: 2023-02-10 - 12:38 PM
  • Updated: 2023-02-20 - 2:55 PM
  • Rationale: Comment updated for administrative purposes
  • Please see the attached submission. 
  • Attachment included
  • Page 1 of 2 Kathryn McCarthy Impact Assessment Agency of Canada 200-1801 Hollis Street Halifax, NS B3J 3N4 February 10, 2023 Dear Ms. McCarthy, On behalf of Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia Inc. (AMNS), I would like to thank you for the discussions held in the fall around the Beaver Dam Mine Project (the Project) regarding the technical review comments from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) on potential effects to fish and fish habitat. We have received the most recent letter, dated November 17, 2022, with comments from DFO, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Based on the technical feedback received, we do not believe the information provided related to flow modelling, water treatment, and the aquatic effects monitoring plan has been accurately represented. This letter is not intended to address each item of the November 17 DFO letter individually, however there are statements made in that letter than we feel should be addressed for the record. From the outset of the Project, we have engaged industry experts to assist in the assessment of potential environmental effects. Throughout the environmental assessment process, there has been active engagement with DFO and AMNS has taken the time and assigned the resources to address DFO’s comments and requests. We are now at the point where the industry professionals we have contracted to assist us in both the planning and environmental assessment of the Project have come to a different conclusion than DFO on the potential environmental effects to fish and fish habitat. We feel we have provided sufficient information as to why there would not be significant ...

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Attachment Millbrook First Nation's continued opposition to the Beaver Dam mine site

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Administrator on behalf of Millbrook First Nation
  • Reference number: 330
  • Submitted: 2022-05-24
  • Please see attached document
  • Attachment included
  • www.millbrookband.com ,AMILLBROOK 77FIRST NATION Laird Brownlie St. Barbara (Atlantic Mining NS Inc.) Head of External Affairs (Atlantic Operations) Tele: Cell: Email: April 20th, 2022 Re: Nlillbrook First Nation's continued opposition to the Beaver Dam mine site. Laird, The purpose of this letter is to state that the newly formed Millbrook Chief and Council (2022-2024) opposes the proposed Beaver Dam mine. We have the fiduciary responsibility to represent the best interests of our band members and they, the community, have made it abundantly clear that the open pit mine will bring with it irreparable harm to the environment, as well as direct adverse impacts to our Treaty and Aboriginal rights. For these reasons, we continue to oppose the project at hand. In peace and friendship / . Chief Robert Gloade Councillor Natasha Bernard ouncillor Zachar ulian Councillor Anissa Blackmore Councillor Ward Markie Council or Alex Cope Co ncillor L. Mar. Councillo '.rley Gloade ncillor Stephen Marshall oun ill arrett Cou illor Chris Googoo C. ncillor James Stevens ouncillor an ylliboy 5) Page: 1 <contact information removed><contact information removed> <contact information removed> <Original signed by> <Original signed by> <Original signed by> <Original signed by> <Original signed by> <Original signed by> <Original signed by> <Original signed by> <Original signed by> <Original signed by> <Original signed by> <Original signed by> <Original signed by> www.millbrookband.com Carbon copy: 73_MILLBROOK IRST NATION Claire Marshall — Executive Director (Millbrook First Nation) Shelly Martin —Band Solicitor (Millbrook First Nation) Nigel Gloade — Communications Officer ...

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Attachment Eastern-Shore Nova Scotia Gold Mines

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Administrator on behalf of Mr. Carmen Lucas
  • Reference number: 329
  • Submitted: 2022-02-16
  • Hello, I would like to say that I am against the development of the Beaver Dam mine site, and the proposed haul road from the Beaver Dam mine site to the Touquoy Mine site in Nova Scotia. I am also against other proposed mine sites in the Eastern-Shore area, such as the Fifteen Mine Stream site and the Cochrane Hill mine site, and other sites. The gold mines, such as the Beaver Dam mine, will only provide a few temporary jobs for Nova Scotians. The majority of the profits will go to a foreign mining company, and not Nova Scotia. In return, Nova Scotians will be left with destroyed forests and habitat for native species, some endangered, and toxins in our groundwater and rivers that will be impossible to repair. These mines will endanger Atlantic salmon rehabilitation projects. The mining company, Atlantic Gold (Australian owned) has shown that it is very lax regarding environmental regulations, as proven by the many fines and penalties they have received regarding their operations at the Touquoy Mine site in Moose River Nova Scotia. This company simply cannot be trusted to protect the environment in Nova Scotia and should not be allowed any further mining operations here.  The people of Nova Scotia value its wilderness, lakes, rivers, forests and wetlands, and want these areas protected for future generations. Gold mines come and go, but once a forest has been destroyed, and the water poisoned with toxins, it will never be the same.  We do not want this to be our legacy.   Best Regards, Mr. Carmen Lucas, MIneville, Nova Scotia

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Attachment Nova Scotia Government Beaver Dam Review Comments and Information Requirements

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Administrator on behalf of Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change
  • Reference number: 325
  • Submitted: 2022-01-31
  • Please see the attached submission.
  • Attachment included
  • January 28, 2022 Craig Hudson Atlantic Mining NS Inc. Suite 201 30 Damascus Rd Bedford NS B4A 0C1 Dear Craig Hudson: Subject: Beaver Dam Gold Project Round 3 Information Requirements Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change has completed the third technical review of the Beaver Dam Gold Project Registration Document. Provincial reviewers have identified additional information that is required to complete the review. Enclosed are the Information Requirements and comments from provincial reviewers. Should you have questions regarding this review or the information requirements, please do not hesitate to contact me at . Sincerely, Bridget Tutty, Environmental Assessment Officer Environmental Assessment Branch Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change Barrington Place, Suite 2085 1903 Barrington Street PO Box 442 902-456-6563 (T) Halifax, NS 902-424-6925 (F) B3J 2P8 www.gov.novascotia.ca/nse <Original signed by> <Personal information removed> http://www.gov.novascotia.ca/nse Environment and Climate Change Nova Scotia Government Information Requirements and Comments Round 3 Beaver Dam Gold Mine: January 2022 NS Government Number Source 1 Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (ECC) Hydrologist 2 ECC Hydrogeologist - Sustainability and Applied Science Division 3 ECC Surface Water Quality Specialist 4 ECC Inspection Compliance and Enforcement Division 5 ECC Air Quality Unit 6 ECC Wetland Specialist 7 ECC Resource Management Unit 8 ECC Environmental Health 9 NS Department of Resources and Renewables Wildlife Division 10 NS Department of Resources and Renewables Mineral Management Division 11 NS Office ...

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Attachment Millbrook First Nation - Beaver Dam Community Wellness Study

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Administrator on behalf of Millbrook First Nation
  • Reference number: 324
  • Submitted: 2022-01-27
  • Please see the attached submission.
  • Attachment included
  • BEAVER DAM COMMUNITY WELLNESS STUDY AN EXAMINATION OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND HUMAN HEALTH CONDITIONS THROUGH THE LENS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Prepared by Millbrook’s Consultation Department December, 2021 Page: 2 Acknowledgements This report is the product of extensive community engagement with the people most directly impacted by the work proposed in the Beaver Dam Environmental Impact Statement. This report draws upon the stories, experiences, knowledge and reactions of Millbrook band members living in Beaver Dam, Sheet Harbour and in Millbrook (near Truro). We appreciate everybody who took the time to attend information session, message the consultation staff, meet via Zoom, chat on the phone and everyone who invite us to their homes, sharing their stories over tea. This report is dedicated to the late Jeff “Gump” Asprey (October 1967-November 2021) who was instrumental in the documentation of our band member’s spatial land use, as well as shedding light on the role that traditional harvesting plays in food security. For this, we thank you. Page: 3 Table of Contents Community Background pg. 4 Methodology pg. 6 Eastern Shore Satellite Community On & Off Reserve Populations pg. 8 Social Assistance in Millbrook First Nation pg. 9 Food and Grocery Cost Variability Between Urban & Remote Areas pg. 10 Rising Cost of Food pg. 13 Meat Cost Variability Between Urban & Remote Areas pg. 14 Rising Cost of Meat in Canada pg. 16 Food Costs & Food Security pg. 16 Harvesting Activities & Food Security pg. 18 External Environment pg. 20 Residential Proximity to ...

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Attachment Health Canada's conformity and technical review of the Proponent's revised response for CEAA-2-31 Round 2 IR responses

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Administrator on behalf of Health Canada
  • Reference number: 323
  • Submitted: 2022-01-24
  • Please see the attached submission.
  • Attachment included
  • Environmental Health Program Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch Health Canada 1505 Barrington Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J EY6 January 24, 2022 Kathryn MacCarthy Impact Assessment Agency of Canada 200-1801 Hollis Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3N4 Sent by email to: Kathryn.MacCarthy@iaac-aeic.gc.ca Subject: Health Canada’s conformity and technical review of the Proponent’s revised response for CEAA-2-31 in the revised Round II (Part 1 and Part 2) information request responses and revised Environmental Impact Statement for the Beaver Dam Mine Project Dear Kathryn MacCarthy: Thank you for your email dated December 14, 2021 requesting Health Canada’s conformity and technical review of the Proponent’s revised response for CEAA-2-31 in the revised Round II (Part 1 and Part 2) information request responses and revised Environmental Impact Statement for the Beaver Dam Mine Project. For this project, Health Canada is participating as a federal authority under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. In its role as a federal authority, Health Canada makes available specialist or expert information or knowledge in its possession to review panels and responsible authorities, and others, upon request. Health Canada has reviewed the Proponent’s revised response for CEAA-2-31 provided by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), and has provided a comment for IAAC’s consideration in Annex 1 of the attached document. Should you have any questions regarding Health Canada’s response for the technical review, please feel free to contact me at joel.kaushansky@hc-sc.gc.ca. Sincerely, <Original signed ...
  • Attachment included
  • 1 ANNEX 1: Information requests directed to the proponent for revised CEAA-2-31 ID Project Effects Link to CEAA 2012 Reference to EIS guidelines Reference to EIS Context and Rationale Specific Question/ Request for Information Air HC-A-14 5(1)(c)(i) Aboriginal Peoples Health/ socio-economic conditions 5(1)(c)(iii) Current Use of Lands and Resources for traditional purposes Section 6.2.1 Changes to the atmospheric environment Information Request Responses Round II Package Revised CEAA -2-31 Pg. 73-171 PDF The air quality isopleths do not show all data nor the baseline + project scenario. Ranges shown on the air quality isopleths do not include the lowest values that were modelled. For example, the NO2 24-hour contours in Figure CEAA 2-31-16A (Pg. 116 PDF) do not show values below 1 µg/m3. This can give the false impression that the project is not contributing contaminants of potential concern at any level, while in fact the dispersion model predicted some (albeit low) concentrations. This is particularly important for non-threshold air substances, such as NO2, where health effects may occur at any concentration. Air quality isopleths should also be provided for total predicted concentrations (baseline + project contribution), and not only the project’s contribution. This will ensure that the areas of potential exceedances of standards (i.e., Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards, Nova Scotia Air Quality Standards) can be clearly identified. Health Canada recommends the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada request the following information from the Proponent: a) Revise all air quality isopleths to show the total predicted concentrations ...

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Attachment Beaver Dam Mine - Environmental Impact Statement Response

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Administrator on behalf of Eastern Shore Forest Watch Association
  • Reference number: 294
  • Submitted: 2021-12-21
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • Please see the attached submission.
  • Attachment included
  • ESFWA Response to IAAC re: Beaver Dam Mine Project EIS, October 29, 2021 1 Education, action, alternatives for the long-term health of the Acadian forest ecosystem www.forestwatch.ca Email: info@forestwatch.ca Beaver Dam Mine - Environmental Impact Statement Response – Dec. 17, 2021 The Eastern Shore Forest Watch Association is a community organization founded in 1998 to address forestry practices and environmental issues that affect the health of the forests, wildlife, and human inhabitants of Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. We have been engaged with environmental assessments of Atlantic Gold projects since 2007. Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia (AMNS) does not adequately acknowledge ecosystem and natural resource values and focuses on financial gain for shareholders and some very limited and short- term economic activity. The unacceptable assessment of cumulative impacts on the Eastern Shore region requires, in our opinion, someone to speak up for the environment and call for regulators to give full consideration to long-term sustainable development with strong environmental protection as defined by the United Nations and adopted by the Federal and Nova Scotia Governments. GENERAL COMMENTS REGARDING GOLD MINING IN THE EASTERN SHORE REGION In our opinion, Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia (AMNS) is manipulating the permitting system. AMNS asserts that small mines have less impacts. It is a divide and conquer approach. We believe the area is essentially one large project with multiple parts. The success of new projects depends on the Touquoy mine site. Without the Touquoy mill and facilities, the smaller mines would be far less economically viable. Section 2.10.5.1.2 ...

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Attachment Reject the Beaver Dam Gold Mine

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Administrator on behalf of Beth Cranston
  • Reference number: 283
  • Submitted: 2021-12-18
  • I would like to add my voice of concern regarding Beaver Dam. I agree wholeheartedly with Lindsay Lee's comments below. Please reject the Beaver Dam gold mine.   " In light of the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, it would be unduly reckless to permit the proposed Beaver Dam open-pit gold mine to proceed. The potential benefits would be negligible and short-lived, whereas the adverse environmental (and community) impacts would be significant and long-lasting. The sixth mass extinction is an ongoing extinction event, the likes of which has never before been seen in human history. The Center for Biological Diversity reports, “The current rate of extinction of species is estimated at 100 to 1,000 times higher than natural background rates.” The UN warns, “Around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades, more than ever before in human history.” We have lost 60% of the planet’s wildlife in less than 50 years, according to the World Wildlife Fund’s 2020 Living Planet Report. Populations of Canadian species that are of global conservation concern have declined (in Canada) by an average of 42% between 1970 and 2016. Populations of Canadian species that are of national conservation concern have declined by an average of 59% between 1970 and 2016. ...

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Attachment I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to this project.

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Eastern Shore Wildlife Association submitted by George Purcell
  • Reference number: 244
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 9:06 PM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • The proposed site for the Beaver Dam Mine Project is incredibly reckless and irresponsible from an environmental standpoint. The proximity to the West River watershed, as well as traditional Mi’Kma’ki lands, to this Open-Pit desecration of our environment is of immense concern. The long-term environmental impact on this site, for short-term gains, would be detrimental, regardless of the companies’ promised remediation plans.   For almost 20 years, the Nova Scotia Salmon Association has been working to restore the population of salmonid species in the West River of Sheet Harbour. This began with establishing North America’s first lime-doser, a Norwegian innovation that balances the pH of the waters. By introducing measured amounts of lime to the watershed, the accumulated effects of industrial expansion along the Eastern Seaboard from decades of acidic rains are  neutralised, creating a habitat that encourages spawning, activity, and an environment that fish can thrive in. Population surveys began in 2005, and by 2010 smolt counts had tripled. https://wrweo.ca/wrweo2014/AqHabWQ/lit/limeDoser.html   The proposed creation of an open pit mine just upstream from the doser site would be foolish. The idea of disrupting nearly 20 years of proven scientific study for the short-term economic gains of an international company with a track-record of environmental abuse is rash and careless. Even a minimal environmental error upon Atlantic Mining’s part would mean ...

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Attachment Out of Step

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Amy Weston
  • Reference number: 242
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 8:41 PM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • As someone  who has worked as a habitat restoration practitioner with the Nova Scotia Salmon Association for more than twenty years, I have contributed to the NSSA’s response to the revised Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Beaver Dam mine project.  I am in complete agreement, both professionally and personally, with the concerns articulated in our submission.   The proposed project, situated in the West River watershed, jeopardizes more than two decades of hard work, massive investment, and a pronounced, yet still fragile, recovery of Atlantic salmon –  a COSEWIC-assessed species at risk.   Approval of this project would signify a systemic disregard for wildlife conservation, scientific research, protection of biodiversity, and climate resilience. The proposed quarry is too close to the Killag River (Cameron Flowage),  and the spatial extent of the proposed work is too large, unnecessarily encroaching on adjacent sub-watersheds. Further, the proponent has not adequately considered effects on the watershed downstream from the mine footprint. Out of Step the very best industry practises, the watershed will be irrevocably changed, impacting many generations of Atlantic salmon and other aquatic and terrestrial species of concern. Lasting impacts include increased water temperatures, altered hydrology, and disturbed vegetation cover. Nova Scotia is blessed with beautiful, complex, freshwater ecosystems, but the underlying geology makes our rivers vulnerable to impacts from atmospheric deposition, acid mine drainage, and climate change. This province, in particular, is ill-suited for such a high-impact form of resource ...

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Attachment I do not support the proposed Beaver Dam Gold Mine

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Eddie Halfyard
  • Reference number: 240
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 5:28 PM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • Please accept this letter as confirmation that I oppose the proposed Beaver Dam Mine Project, as outlined in the revised Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). I fully support and echo the comments and concerns outlined by the Nova Scotia Salmon Association. In addition, here is a short list of some additional concerns to be emphasized: I am concerned that the certain impacts to West River Restoration Project run by the Nova Scotia Salmon Association and partners are not being adequately considered. Such certain impacts include: Warming of the Killag River and Tent Brook – both important coolwater streams Interruption of data continuity for the 17-year long research project. These data, such as water quality, electrofishing, temperature, and others will be rendered less valuable and less suited to long-term monitoring research.  Burying of forested lands that are the critical headwaters of the watershed and where a large effort has occurred to restored these lands via catchment liming. These efforts have been funded by partnerships between all levels of gov’t, charity groups, private investment, and other fundraising. Operation of the Killag River lime doser. Changes to the access road, river flow and water quality will ultimately impact how the NSSA operates its critical infrastructure, potentially at additional cost to this charity group. I am also concerned about the potential impacts to West River Restoration Project run by the Nova Scotia Salmon Association and partners are not being adequately considered. Such potential impacts include: Unintended ...

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Attachment Opposed to Beaver Dam Mine project

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Margaretta Sander
  • Reference number: 238
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 4:38 PM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • To the Assessment panel: I have grandchildren.  I want them to know we responsibly cared for their home, i.e. this province, this country, this planet; which means they will have clean drinking water, forests inhabited by many creatures and diverse plant life and community that supports each other economically and socially.  This will not happen if Nova Scotia government and the Federal government continue to believe foreign investment will save us and provide for our needs.   As the ancient Beowolf poem said gold produces infectious greed and we are better off without it.  As has been well documented, there is enough gold in storage to supply us for centuries.  And we have not sufficiently explored investing in recyling existing gold in devices, teeth, jewelry, etc. Gold has not been identified as a critical mineral in the Canadian Federal Critical Mineral list (https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/minerals-mining/critical-minerals/23414).  Nor have we cleaned up the environmental messes in this Province created by former gold mines which were much smaller in scale than the proposed Beaver Dam project. Atlantic Gold/St Barbara has proven their greed and deceit and our province has encouraged that with antiquated mining restrictions.  The Mining Assoc of NS & NS Dept of Energy & Mines "open for business campaign" describe NS as an 'easy place to do business due to lack of restrictive regulations;  low royality rates (among the lowest in the world: 1% of net while other jurisdictions are at 5-7% of gross), subsidies and currently allowing multiple court stays for Federal & ...

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Attachment What do we want, Gold or Water! We can't have both!

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: individual submitted by Shawn Hill
  • Reference number: 237
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 4:34 PM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • I am writing this letter in response to the revised EIS for the proposed Beaver Dam Mine site on the West River Sheet Harbour.  I was born and raised in Nova Scotia, and by trade, I am an environmental technician with over 30 years of relevant environmental work experience. I have a strong understanding of historic gold mining impacts in Nova Scotia through working with private consulting companies examining impacts to sediment and water quality in the Waverly area. While technology has changed, local geology has not, and therefore the risks are much greater given the scale of the proposed project.  My association with this part of Nova Scotia stems from being an outdoorsman.  I fish trout annually in some of the nearby lakes and I hope to be able to fish for Atlantic Salmon on the West River Sheet Harbour once the resource has improved to the point where recreational salmon fishing is again permitted.   I am strongly against this mine getting approval as it will result in the death of the West River Sheet Harbour.  There has never been an open pit gold mine in the world (either historical or modern) that did not damage ecosystem health.  The West River Sheet Harbour is already an acid rain impacted river that has been remarkably brought back to life by the NS Salmon Association and other partners.  This community-based, award-winning project has been very successful and has received national and international attention.   And here we are, watching an internationally owned company proposing to move in and start a gold mine literally meters away from the river.  There is very low benefit to the province or country from this proposed mine, and ...

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Attachment Opposed to Beaver Dam Gold Mine Project

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Jo-Anna Halfyard
  • Reference number: 235
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 3:15 PM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • Beaver Dam Mine Project Impact Assessment Agency of Canada 200-1801 Hollis Street Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 3N4 Telephone: 902-426-0564 Fax: 902-426-6550 Email: bdmine-minebd@iaac-aeic.gc.ca   I, Jo-Anna Halfyard, am writing in response to the revised Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), for the proposed Beaver Dam Mine Project. I have personally been following closely the decades-long run and ever-evolving West River Restortation Project, have visited the sites to see first-hand the innovative and world-class research and restoration efforts in action there. My three daughters, ages 10, 8 and 5 have also visited the sites on many occasions and have been so excited about the work  that is happening there that they go back to their schools and share what it is all about with their teachers and friends. All of them want to grow up to be scientists to “help save the wildlife and rivers just like the hard workers on the West River”. I have reviewed the revised EIS and agree with ALL of the concerns raised by the Nova Scotia Salmon Association (NSSA) in their official submission to the IAAC and support their comments that are based on science and their extremely in-depth knowledge of and familiarity with the land area in question. I would also like to highlight that the amount of government funding that has been ...

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Attachment Gold Mining in Nova Scotia

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: John Hamilton
  • Reference number: 228
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 12:00 PM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  •   Once again we are seeing media reports of enviornmentally sensitive projects such as the Marine Reserve in Country Harbour cancelled because of legacy pollution from abandoned gold mining sites ;  Montague Mines in Halifax County is still leaching  toxins a century after abandonment ; Goldenville is still creating enviornmental issues with mercury and arsenic sediment a century after closure; the Strachan Mine in Richmond County is responsible for sterile streams after 60 years of non production; the list goes on. The Auditor-General of Nova Scotia  has signalled that there is no inventory of the extent of abandoned mine sites in this province. The ability of our public oragns to manage and monitor mining activities is poor. This is no surprise as it comes from the same department which did nothing and allowed Westray to blow up allowing the mine mangement to escape any responsibility of any sort. Without radiacal reorganization the this department there is no evidence that it can mange or supervise this project.      There  is an inherent long-term toxicity of the rock itself completely independent from the extraction process. These arsenic, cadmium and other toxic heavy metal rsidues cannot be mitigated by " modern" extraction methods as promoted  by the mining concerns and  uniformly represent  a toxic time bomb for all of the population of this province both human  and animal.   The Meguma Terrane has an unusually high degree of inherent aresenic which is made  bioavailable by the crushing process.   Given the sort -term horizons and irresponsibility for residues  and the lack of commitment by mining ...

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Attachment Too many risks for this mine to happen

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Kevin McPhee
  • Reference number: 227
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 11:12 AM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • This mine should never be allowed to happen. The impacts to the direct areas as well as the outlining areas will be devasting for years to come. Not to mention the immediate loss of wildlife, wetlands & habitat. You have to ask if the risks of allowing this mine outway the benefits. Sure the mine will create jobs (which I support) but I'm willing to bet the majority of those jobs will be skilled positions held by people from outside of Nova Scotia. When the mine is finished they will all leave but they will leave Nova Scotia with the after effects. The province is currently challenged with how to pay a $60 million (and growing) bill for two previous gold mines here in the province with another 40+ sites identified. Can you imagine the cost to remediate a site the size of the Halifax Peninsula? Gold is not even a required resource to survive. The other side of this coin is the cost to widlife & the habitate. The province has been working for decades to rehabilitate the salmon stocks in these areas. Now this is all threatened by this mine. This is not a great oppertunity for this Province, there are other industries of oppertunity out there that would not have a devasting impact that this mine would create. 

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Attachment Socioeconomic cost analysis deficient. Do not approve this project

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: JOHN PERKINS
  • Reference number: 226
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 9:33 AM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • I have three specific comments and a personal statement.   1. Section 6.16 of the EIS Summary addressing the Socioeconomic Valued Component takes up less than 1 page of this massive document. The assertion of economic benefit is vague and without numeric quantification. The analysis is summarised in Section 6.16.2 as: "Positive socio-economic impacts are associated with the Project, including long-term employment gain and/or sustained activity within the area. All phases of the Project will provide employment opportunities for local residents and Indigenous Peoples, as well as provide tax revenue for the municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government. Indirect employment will be generated by the Project through the use of external contractors and suppliers." These claims are meaningless without substantiation; the proponent should be required to provide detailed numeric calculations and analytical evidence supporting their statements.    2. The entire Section 3 on alternate means of carrying out the project is flawed in that it only takes into consideration what is economically feasible for the proponent and their concerns. It does not evaluate what is in the best interests of Nova Scotians.  For example in Table 3.2.1 remewable energy sources for powering operations is concluded as technically feasible but not economically feasible.  Given the provincial interest and  societal priority given to climmate change and GHG emmission reduction the proponent should be required to use 100% renewable energy and an analysis of other conflicts with corporate and societal interests ...

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Attachment No to Beaver Dam Mine

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Nova Scotia Salmon Association submitted by Emma Purdy
  • Reference number: 225
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 9:29 AM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • I believe the Beaver Dam gold mine should not be approved. It is an ecological disaster waiting to happen. The only way to prevent disasters such as this from happening, is to not allow the actions that cause them to happen at all.     I work as an Assistant Fisheries Technician for the Nova Scotia Salmon Association on the West River Acid Rain Mitigation Project. This watershed is hugely important to myself, my colleagues, and many people who live in the area and those of us who use the river and surrounding area for fishing, hunting, hiking, boating, foraging, and more.     The watershed is also ecologically valuable. On land, there are endangered mainland moose, one of Nova Scotia’s most endangered species with less than an estimated 1000 individuals remaining in the entire province. The river itself is also home to two species-at-risk: Atlantic salmon and American eel. These species are important for both the roles they play in the ecosystem as well as their roles in Mi’kmaq and Nova Scotian cultures as sources of food, recreation, and reverence (with moose and salmon in particular being two of Nova Scotia’s most iconic wildlife species). At a time where thousands of species around the world are at risk of going extinct - and even more are considered vulnerable and threatened - we need to be doing everything we can to protect the species-at-risk that we have in Nova Scotia before we lose them. This means saying NO to open-pit mines that post the threat of significantly harming rivers and forests that these species call home.     This past month, we have been conducting salmon and brook trout redd counts in the Killag and West ...

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Attachment Feedback on Beaver Dam Mine Project

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Kevin Spencer
  • Reference number: 224
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 9:09 AM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • Creating open-pit gold mines, with tailings deposits, in proximity to our river systems and important habitats is extremely concerning. Of relevance, the Nova Scotia Provincial Auditor General Michael Pickup published a report in late 2017, indicating a failure in the government monitoring and enforcement of industrial projects to ensure they comply with their environmental terms. There have been several NS AG reports since then, highlighting the same issue.  Without proper oversight, and given that Atlantic Gold / St. Barbara already has had 32 environmental charges laid against it earlier in 2021, we need to be very careful. Furthermore, St. Barbara operations at their other international sites, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands appear to have had significant environmental issues and community concerns over the past 10 years, and the company performance at their other operations should be considered as part of the reliability assessment.  With all this in mind, here are some specific comments regarding this proposal at Beaver Dam: Gold mining has some of the largest human and environmental impacts (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://miningwatch.ca/blog/2019/2/5/gold-facts.&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1639627514276000&usg=AOvVaw1AEsYMYIiJssF3lsRGPeqr) of all types of metal mining. It is my understanding that Millbrook First Nation have submitted a formal opposition (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/80111/contributions/id/55794&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1639627514276000&usg=AOvVaw0HoXKjl_3MrpNimzvY4a5N) – they fear ...

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Attachment St Barbara proposed Beaver Dam expansion project

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: StBarbara submitted by Bernard Larabie
  • Reference number: 223
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 8:31 AM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • To whom it may concern, Pleas accept this letter as confirmation that I aggree with St Barbara's Beaver Dam expansion project. I am an employee of the company and have been in the mining business all of my working career. This career has given me the opportunitty to work in many places including overseas projects. I have been involved in the analytical and processing aspects of many of these operations.  I can confidently assure you that the team and staff ( many of who are local) at St Barbara are, and will be following all govermental ,provincial and federal guidelines and reulations pertaining to any mining  and /or processing projects within their future plans. I undrstand that there is some local opposition to this project for fears that the environment will be damaged for present and future generations. Government regulations and laws do provide for present and future protection of the environment, by continously manitoring the workings, products and by-products of all projects.  To add, I believe that with  our company's primary Rules to live By commitments will add an extra layer of that protection. as being good corporate citizens is a one of our seriouly taken aims I beleve that this project, with all the governmetal laws and regulations as well as the company's steadfast commitment for environmental protection, would not be detrimental to the environment but will add an econmical benefit to the area, province and citizens of Nova Scotia., my new found home. Sincerely Bernard Larabie Superintendent Analytical Services

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Attachment Please save our river

  • Beaver Dam Mine Project
  • Author: Lori MOrton
  • Reference number: 222
  • Submitted: 2021-12-17 - 7:42 AM
  • Participation notice: Public Notice - Public Comments Invited on a Revised Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement
  • This proposed mine couldn't be in a worse site. This will destroy years of conservation work including a reintroduction of Atlantic Salmon to the area. Please don't allow this mine to move forward. The permanent damage that will be done to the area will be irreversable and damning to the area. This is, arguably, one of the most important Atlantic Salmon conservation initiatives in Canada. There has been years of work put into this conservation project - to destroy that for a couple of years of resource extraction is shameful. The Beaver Dam Mine, should its development proceed, would be situated in the heart of one of the largest, most innovative, and most successful aquatic ecosystem restoration initiatives in Canada. Industrial development of this watershed would jeopardize more than two decades of hard work, massive investment, and a pronounced, yet still fragile recovery of Atlantic salmon — a COSEWIC [Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada] assessed species at risk. Given the effort and success to date, this proposed watershed-altering and risky open-pit gold mine would deal a significant blow to the morale and momentum of volunteer groups working toward the recovery of our renewable resources and the ecosystems on which they depend. The generic bare-minimum preventative measures outlined in the revised EIS [Environmental Impact Statement] do not reflect the seriousness of the potential for negative impacts to this long-standing and critically important project.   All we have to do is look to the Moose River site to see the environmental impact an open pit mine has on an area. We cannot allow this same permanent destruction to happen in ...

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