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Galore Creek Gold-Silver-Copper mine (Archived)

Galore Creek; Porcupine River; Twin River (BC)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Environmental Assessment Report
Minister's Environmental Assessment Decision Statement
Final Decision
Follow-up Program

Reference Number

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 05-03-8858

Environmental Assessment Type

Comprehensive study

Other Assessment Process

Government of British Columbia

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Environment Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Natural Resources Canada
Transport Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On January 11, 2005, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Transport Canada considered taking action in relation to paragraph 5(1)(a) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act; Environment Canada considered taking action in relation to subsection 10(1) of the International River Improvements Regulations; Fisheries and Oceans Canada considered taking action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act and Natural Resources Canada considered taking action in relation to paragraph 7(1)(a) of the Explosives Act.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

The scope of the project for the federal comprehensive study under CEAA currently proposed by the responsible authorities includes the physical works and the activities associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning (including closure and reclamation) of: · open pit mine and mineral process plant located in the Galore Creek Valley; · mill tailings and waste rock storage facility(ies) including containment dams; · ore and marginal ore storage; · borrow pits and overburden and topsoil storage; · construction and operations camp, including ancillary facilities; · explosives manufacturing and storage plant; · access road from Highway #37, along More and Sphaler Creeks to the Porcupine River, and up to Scottsimpson Creek to a tunnel into the Galore Creek Valley; · power transmission line from Highway #37 predominantly following the road corridor to the Galore Creek Valley; · ore concentrate slurry pipeline following the road corridor, from the plant site in the Galore Creek Valley to Highway #37; · concentrate filter plant, ore concentrate stockpile, truck loadout and water treatment facility at the pipeline terminus; · aerodrome along the south side of the Porcupine River; and · connector road between access road to the aerodrome.

Environmental Assessment Report

Comprehensive Study Report

Minister's Environmental Assessment Decision Statement

Environmental Assessment Decision Statement

Final Decision

A decision was taken on June 4, 2007 and was that the authorities may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the comprehensive study report and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, the authorities are of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Follow-up Program

It was determined that a follow-up program to verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment and/or determine the effectiveness of any measures taken to mitigate the adverse environmental effects is required for this project. For further information or to obtain a copy of the follow-up program, please contact Transport Canada.