Current status

Designation: granted, November 25, 2011

Project summary

The purpose of the undertaking is to develop the Bending Lake iron mine project, an open pit iron ore mine located southwest of the Town of Ignace near Highway 622. The mine is expected to have a 30 year operating life.

Proponent

Bending Lake Iron Group Limited

Location

In north western Ontario, southwest of the Town of Ignace near Highway 622.

Type

Mining

Reference number

11112

Contact

Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch

Project history

Voluntary agreement: granted
Date submitted: August 31, 2011
Decision date: November 25, 2011

Voluntary agreement

The project consists of the development of an open pit mine, an iron ore processing facility and associated infrastructure. Also included is the upgrading of an access road to the site, and the construction of a new high-voltage transmission line, and tailings management and solid waste disposal.

Mining development projects are carried out by private sector proponents and are not subject to the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), although certain components of the project (such as the construction of ancillary facilities, modifications to provincial highways or the construction of a tranmission line) may trigger EAA requirements. Construction of the actual mine is subject to Ontario’s Mining Act 1990, which falls under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

However, on November 25, 2011, Bending Lake Iron Group Limited (BLIG) entered into a voluntary agreement with the Ministry of the Environment to make the proposed project subject to the requirements of the EAA.

BLIG will now proceed with the preparation of a terms of reference for its proposed project.