Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Assessment

Josephine Cone Mine Project

Ignace (ON)

May 15, 2012 (Updated June 27, 2012) -- On February 1, 2012, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) received a project description in accordance with the Establishing Timelines for Comprehensive Study Regulations.

Based on information it has received, the Agency has determined that the project is described in the comprehensive study list and that an environmental assessment pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act is required. As a result, a comprehensive study commenced on May 1, 2012.

The proposed project consists of the construction, operation and decommissioning of an iron ore mine located approximately 49 kilometres southwest of Ignace, Ontario. The project will process approximately 56,000 tonnes of iron ore per day from one open pit and move approximately 43,000 tonnes of waste rock per day on an average day for the entire mine life. Based upon an expected total resource in excess of 500 million tonnes, the mine is projected to have a life span greater than 25 years.

An environmental assessment is required in relation to the project because Fisheries and Oceans Canada may take action in relation to paragraphs 36(5)(a) to (e), where the regulation made pursuant to those paragraphs contains a provision that limits the application of the regulation to a named site of the Fisheries Act, to section 32 of the Fisheries Act and to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act and because Transport Canada may take action in relation to section 5 of the Navigable Waters Protection Act.

This project is also subject to the environmental assessment requirements of the Government of Ontario.

As per the Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects, this environmental assessment has been identified as a major natural resource project. For additional information refer to the Major Projects Management Office's Tracker that monitors the progress of proposed major resource projects through the federal regulatory review system.

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
Josephine Cone Mine Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Amiel Blajchman, Project Manager
55 St. Clair Avenue East,
Suite 907
Toronto  ON  M4T 1M2
Telephone : 416-952-1576
Fax : 416-952-1573
Email : josephinecone@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

and refer to Registry reference number 12-03-66282