News Release
Blackwater Gold Project – Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA, December 21, 2012 – 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 determined that a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Blackwater Gold Project in British Columbia (B.C.). 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.

New Gold Inc. is proposing the construction, operation, and decommissioning of an open pit gold and silver mine located approximately 100 kilometres south of Vanderhoof, British Columbia. As proposed, the project would produce 60,000 tonnes per day of gold and silver ore, over a mine life of 17 years.

Written comments must be submitted by January 20, 2013 to:

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

To view the draft EIS Guidelines or for more information, visit the Agency's website (registry reference number 80017). All comments received will be considered public.

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

• Vanderhoof Public Library
  230 Stewart Street East
  Vanderhoof, B.C.
• Cariboo Regional District Library, Quesnel Branch
  101-#410 Kinchant Street
  Quesnel, B.C.
• Burns Lake Public Library
  585 Government Street
  Burns Lake, B.C.
• Fraser Lake Public Library
  228 Endako Avenue
  Fraser Lake, B.C.
• Prince George Public Library, Bob Harkins Branch
  887 Dominion Street
  Prince George, B.C.
• Prince George Public Library, Nechako Branch
  6547 Hart Highway
  Prince George, B.C.
• Fort St. James Public Library
  425 Manson Street
  Fort St. James, B.C.

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.

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For more information, media may contact:

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