Public Notice
Tio Mine Expansion Project – Public Comments Invited

August 29, 2014 — 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 (the Agency) commenced a federal environmental assessment for the proposed Tio Mine Expansion Project, located near Havre-Saint-Pierre, 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.

Written comments must be submitted by September 29, 2014 to:

Tio Mine Expansion Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
901-1550 d'Estimauville Avenue
Québec, Quebec G1J 0C1
Telephone: 418-649-6444
Fax: 418-649-6443
ProjetMineTioProject@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

To view the draft EIS Guidelines or for more information, visit the Agency's website (Registry reference number 80078).

Map depicting the location of the project, as described in the current document.

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

  • Municipality of Havre-Saint-Pierre
    1235 de la Digue Road
    Havre-Saint-Pierre, Quebec
     
  • Conseil des Innus de Ekuanitshit
    35 Manitou Road
    Mingan, Quebec

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the second of four opportunities for the public to comment on this project. All comments received will be considered public.

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 on the proponent's EIS will be announced at later dates.

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 fines for non-compliance.

The Proposed Project

Rio Tinto Fer et Titane is proposing to expand the Lac Tio Ilmenite mine site, near Havre-Saint-Pierre, which it has mined for 60 years. The project involves no increase in the annual production of 3.1 million tonnes, but the new waste-rock management plan includes the creation of a new waste-rock pile for the storage of 119 million cubic meters of waste-rock that will be generated by the end of the life of the mine. The waste-rock pile and associated infrastructure will occupy an area of 1.39 square kilometers, which represents an expansion of more than 50% of the existing area of operations. The project also includes the centralization of water treatment and the construction of a new water treatment plant with a capacity of 745 cubic metres per hour.

Document Reference Number: 8

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