Public Notice
Rainy River Project – Public Comments Invited

October 9, 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) is conducting a federal environmental assessment of the proposed Rainy River Project, located in Ontario.

The Agency invites the public to comment on the draft Environmental Assessment Report, a document that includes the Agency's conclusions and recommendations regarding the potential environmental effects of the project, the proposed mitigation measures, the significance of any remaining adverse environmental effects, and the follow-up program. The Agency also invites the public to comment on the potential conditions for the project. The Agency is contemplating these potential conditions that may be applied in the event that the Minister of the Environment ultimately decides that the project may be permitted to proceed. All comments received will be considered public.

Written comments must be submitted by November 8, 2014 to:

Rainy River Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
907-55 St. Clair Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4T 1M2
Telephone: 416-952-1576
Fax: 416-952-1573
RainyRiver@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

To view the draft Environmental Assessment Report, the potential environmental assessment conditions, or for more information, visit the Agency's website (Registry reference number 80007).

Copies of the draft Environmental Assessment Report and the potential conditions are also available for viewing at the following locations:

• Township of Chapple
  54 Barwick Road
  Barwick, Ontario
   
• Fort Frances Town Office
  320 Portage Avenue
  Fort Frances, Ontario
   
• Fort Frances Public Library
  601 Reid Avenue
  Fort Frances, Ontario
   
• Atikokan Town Office
  120 Marks Street
  Atikokan, Ontario
   
• Rainy River Resources Ltd.
  5967 Highway 11/71
  Emo, Ontario
   
• Emo Public Library
  56 Front Street
  Emo, Ontario
   
• Rainy River Library
  334 Fourth Street
  Rainy River, Ontario

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the last of four opportunities for the public to comment on this project. Following this final comment period, the Environmental Assessment Report will be finalized and the Minister of the Environment will issue an environmental assessment decision statement indicating whether the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, and identifying the conditions that the proponent must meet with respect to mitigation and follow-up requirements in the event that the project is permitted to proceed.

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

Rainy River Resources Ltd. is proposing the construction, operation, and decommissioning of an open-pit and underground gold mine and on-site metal mill, located approximately 65 kilometres northwest of Fort Frances in the Township of Chapple, Ontario. Mining is proposed to occur for 15 to 20 years, with an ore production capacity of 27,000 tonnes per day. The on-site metal mill is proposed to have an ore input capacity of 21,000 tonnes per day. The project, as proposed, also involves the realignment of a portion of Highway 600 and the construction of a 230 kilovolt transmission line.