Côté Gold Mine Project - Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA, May 10, 2013 /CNW/ - 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 commenced a federal environmental assessment for the proposed Côté Gold Mine Project located in Ontario. 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 needs to be included in the proponent's EIS.

IAMGOLD is proposing the construction, operation, and decommissioning of an open-pit gold mine and associated infrastructure. The proposed mine site, located 20 kilometers southwest of the community of Gogama in northeastern Ontario, would process 60,000 tonnes per day of ore, with a mine life of approximately 15 years. Ore would be processed on-site to produce a final doré bar that would be shipped off-site for sale.

Written comments must be submitted by June 12, 2013 to:

Côté Gold Mine Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
907-55 St. Clair Avenue East
Toronto, ON M4T 1M2
Telephone: 416-952-1576
Fax: 416-952-1573
MineCoteMine@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

To view the draft EIS Guidelines or for more information, visit the Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca registry reference number 80036). All comments received will be considered public.

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

Dryden Public Library 36 Van Horne Avenue Dryden ONSioux Lookout Public Library 21 Fifth Avenue Sioux Lookout ON

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.

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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SOURCE: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

media may contact:Â
Céline Legault
Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Telephone: 613-957-0278
E-mail:Â Celine.Legault@ceaa-acee.gc.ca