News Release
Arctos Anthracite Project – Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA, April 15, 2013 – 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 must decide whether a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Arctos Anthracite Project located in British Columbia (B.C.). To assist it in making its decision, the Agency is seeking comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment.

The Proposed Project

Arctos Anthracite Joint Venture proposes the construction, operation and decommissioning of an anthracite coal mine in northwestern British Columbia. The site of the proposed mine is about 90 kilometres southeast of Iskut, 160 kilometres northeast of Stewart, and 240 kilometres north of Hazelton. The proposed project would produce about 3 million tonnes per year of anthracite coal over a mine life of approximately 25 years. The proposed project would also include constructing a 147 kilometre extension to an existing railway from its current terminus to the mine site.

Substitution Request

The Government of B.C. has requested that the federal Minister of the Environment (the Minister) approve the substitution of the B.C. environmental assessment process for the CEAA 2012 process if it is determined that an environmental assessment is required. The Agency is also seeking comments on this request.

The Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, must approve the substitution request if he is satisfied that the conditions for substitution under CEAA 2012 are met and if he is of the opinion that the B.C. process would be an appropriate substitute for an environmental assessment by the Agency.

At the conclusion of a substituted environmental assessment process, the federal Minister of the Environment will make an environmental assessment decision under CEAA 2012. Environmental protection will absolutely be maintained through this process. Projects will only be allowed to proceed if they meet Canada's rigorous environmental protection laws. Where a decision on a project may adversely impact potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights, Canada will ensure that potentially affected Aboriginal groups are adequately consulted.

B.C.'s request is in accordance with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Agency and the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office to enable efficient and timely use of the CEAA 2012 substitution provisions. The MOU addresses the processes leading to substitution, the conduct of the substituted environmental assessment and associated Aboriginal consultation and the coordination of decision-making, monitoring and follow-up after the environmental assessment. The MOU and a Backgrounder on substitution under CEAA 2012 are available on the Agency's website.

Public Comments

Written comments on the need for a federal environmental assessment and on the substitution request must be submitted by May 6, 2013 to:

Arctos Anthracite Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
410 - 701 West Georgia Street
Vancouver BC V7Y 1C6
Telephone: 604-666-2431
Fax: 604-666-6990
Arctos@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

To view a summary of the project description or for more information on the project, on the substitution request and on the environmental assessment process, visit the Agency's website (registry reference number 80040).

Next Steps

The Agency will post its decision on whether a federal environmental assessment is required on its website. A notice of the Minister's decision on the request for substitution will also be posted on the Agency's website if it is determined that a federal environmental assessment is required.

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.

-30-

For more information, media may contact:
Céline Legault
Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Telephone: 613-957-0278
Celine.Legault@ceaa-acee.gc.ca