Ms. Celine Legault of Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency reports

KIPAWA RARE EARTHS PROJECT - PUBLIC COMMENTS INVITED

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 has commenced a federal environmental assessment for the proposed Kipawa rare earths project located in Quebec. The agency invites the public to comment on which aspects of the environment may be affected by this project and what should be examined during the environmental assessment.

The public can review and comment on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) guidelines, a document that identifies the potential environmental effects to be taken into consideration, and the information and analysis that need to be included in the proponent's EIS.

Matamec Explorations Inc. proposes the construction, operation and decommissioning of a rare earths open-pit mine about 40 kilometres east of the municipality of Kipawa. The proposed project would process 1.5 million tonnes of ore per year over a 13-year operation period with a daily average extraction rate of 4,200 tonnes. The concentrate would be shipped by train and then by boat to Asian or European refineries. The proposed project would also include the construction of a concentrator, as well as ancillary buildings such as storage, a laboratory and administrative offices.

Written comments must be submitted by May 2, 2013, to: Kipawa rare earths project, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, 901-1550 d'Estimauville Ave., Quebec, Que., G1J 0C1. The telephone and fax numbers are 418-649-6444 and 418-649-6443, respectively.

To view the draft EIS guidelines or for more information, visit the agency's website (registry reference No. 80029). All comments received will be considered public.

Copies of the draft EIS guidelines are also available for viewing at the following locations:

• Temiscaming Library -- 40 Boucher St., Temiscaming, Que.;
• Band council offices of the Eagle Village First Nation -- 4 Omiga St., Kipawa, Que.

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the second of four opportunities for Canadians to comment on this project. Following this comment period, the agency will finalize and issue the EIS guidelines to the proponent. An application period for participant funding and a future public comment period related to the EIS will be announced later.

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.