Public Notice
Rainy River Project – Public Comments Invited

January 17, 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 is conducting a federal environmental assessment of the proposed Rainy River Project, located in Ontario.

The Agency invites the public to comment on the potential environmental effects of the project and the proposed measures to prevent or mitigate those effects as described in a summary of the proponent's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). All comments received will be considered public.

Written comments must be submitted by February 17, 2014 to:

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

To view the summary of the EIS or for more information, visit the Agency's website (Registry reference number 80007).

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

• Fort Frances Town Office
  320 Portage Avenue
  Fort Frances, ON
   
• Fort Frances Public Library
  601 Reid Avenue
  Fort Frances, ON
   
• Emo Public Library
  56 Front Street
  Emo, ON
   
• Atikokan Town Office
  120 Marks Street
  Atikokan, ON
   
• Township of Chapple
  54 Barwick Road
  Barwick, ON
   
• Rainy River Library
  334 Fourth Street
  Rainy River, ON

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the third of four opportunities for Canadians to comment on this project. Following this comment period, the Agency will prepare a draft Environmental Assessment Report, setting out its conclusions and recommendations regarding the potential environmental effects of the project, the proposed mitigation measures, and the significance of any remaining adverse environmental effects. A public comment period on the draft Environmental Assessment Report will be announced at a later date.

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 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 26,400 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.