News Release
Josephine Cone Mine Project – Public Comments Invited and Federal Funding Available

OTTAWA – May 15, 2012 – The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) is conducting a comprehensive study type of environmental assessment of the proposed Josephine Cone Mine Project located in Ontario. The public is invited to comment on the project and the conduct of the comprehensive study.

The public is also invited to comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines that identify potential environmental effects to be addressed and information that needs to be included in the proponent's EIS. Public comments received will be reviewed and considered before the guidelines are finalized and issued to the proponent.

The draft EIS Guidelines and more information on this project are available on the Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca (registry reference number 12-03-66282). The document is available in paper copy by request as well and can be viewed at the following locations:

• Atikokan Public Library
  214 Sykes Street
• Dryden Public Library
  36 Van Horne Avenue
• Fort Frances Public Library
  601 Reid Avenue
• Ignace Public Library
  36 Highway 17 West
• Thunder Bay Public Library
  Brodie Resource Library
  216 Brodie Street South
• Thunder Bay Public Library
  Waverly Resource Library
  285 Red River Road

The Agency is also making available $36,000 under its Participant Funding Program to assist groups and individuals to participate in activities related to subsequent public consultations during this environmental assessment.

Public comments and funding applications received by June 14, 2012 will be considered.

This is the first of several public comment periods that will occur during the environmental assessment of the project.

Bending Lake Iron Group Limited's proposed project consists of the construction, operation and decommissioning of an iron ore mine located approximately 49 kilometres southwest of Ignace, Ontario. The project is proposed to 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.

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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Media may contact:

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