Rainy River Project: Environmental Assessment Decision

Press Release

January 12, 2015 — Ottawa — Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, announced today that the proposed Rainy River Project, located in the Township of Chapple, Ontario, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. The Minister has identified in her environmental assessment decision statement the conditions that the proponent must meet with respect to mitigation measures and follow-up program requirements.

In reaching her decision, the Minister considered the Environmental Assessment Report that includes the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s (the Agency’s) conclusions and recommendations regarding the potential environmental effects of the project, the proposed mitigation measures, the significance of any remaining adverse environmental effects, and the follow-up program.

As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 put in place to support the government’s Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Agency conducted a federal environmental assessment of this project using a science-based approach. As it proceeds to the next phase, this project will continue to be subject to Canada’s strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up, and fines for non-compliance.

Quick Facts

• New Gold Inc. will construct, operate, decommission and abandon 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 will occur for 15 to 20 years, with an ore production capacity of 27,000 tonnes per day. The on-site metal mill will have an ore input capacity of 21,000 tonnes per day. The project also involves the realignment of a portion of Highway 600 and the construction of a 230-kilovolt transmission line.
• A copy of the Minister of the Environment’s Environmental Assessment Decision Statement and more information on this project are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry website, reference number 80007.
• 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.

Associated Links

• Rainy River Project (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
• Basics of Environmental Assessment (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
• Responsible Resource Development (Canada’s Economic Action Plan)

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Contacts

Ted Laking
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Isabelle Perrault
Manager, Communications Operations
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
613-960-0290
isabelle.perreault@ceaa-acee.gc.ca