Kipawa Rare Earths Project - Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA, April 2, 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 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 needs 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 kilometers 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 Avenue
Québec QC G1J 0C1
Telephone: 418-649-6444
Fax: 418-649-6443
TerresraresKipawaRareEarths@acee-ceaa.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 80029). All comments received will be considered public.

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

Témiscaming Library 40 Boucher Street Témiscaming  QCBand council offices of the Eagle Village First Nation 4 Omiga Street Kipawa  QC

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.

Â

SOURCE: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

media may contact:Â

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Céline Legault
Communications Advisor
Tel.: 613-957-0278