Voluntary agreement for the Noront Eagle’s Nest Multi-metal Mine Environmental Assessment
Noront Resources' agreement to voluntarily enter the environmental assessment process for an underground nickel, copper, platinum and palladium mine in the James Bay Lowlands.
Agreement
This agreement made in triplicate, between The Minister of the Environment (the Minister
) and Noront Resources Limited, its agents, successors and assigns (the Proponent
)
Concerning
The Proponent proposes to develop and operate the Eagle’s Nest multi-metal mine in Northern Ontario near McFaulds Lake, approximately 540 kilometres (km) north-northeast of Thunder Bay, a site for ancillary facilities at Webequie Junction which is located 25 km southwest of the community of Webequie approximately 90 km west of the mine site, and a rail transfer facility in the vicinity of Savant Lake approximately 450 km southwest of Webequie. The mine will also produce aggregate to be used for construction materials.
This undertaking includes the establishment, construction and operation of the underground mine and any ancillary activities, including:
- The establishment, construction and operation of:
- Underground facilities including a mill, warehousing and shops;
- Above ground facilities including offices, accommodations, an explosives plant and staging areas;
- Associated processing and waste management facilities (including underground storage of tailings, dewatering, water treatment, and concentrate transport);
- Transportation infrastructure and electricity generation and supply; and
- Any other ancillary activities at the mine site and/or Webequie Junction and/or Savant Lake.
- The decommissioning, closure and abandonment of the mine and mine-related infrastructure
(the Undertaking
)
Whereas section 3.0.1 of the Environmental Assessment Act states:
A person, other than a person referred to in clause 3(a), who carries out, proposes to carry out or is the owner or person having charge, management or control of an enterprise or activity or a proposal, plan or program in respect of an enterprise or activity may enter into a written agreement with the Minister to have this Act apply to the enterprise, activity, proposal, plan or program.
Whereas the Proponent is a person, other than a person referred to in clause 3(a) of the Environmental Assessment Act, who carries out proposes to carry out or is the owner or person having charge, management or control of an enterprise or activity or a proposal, plan or program in respect of an enterprise or activity which is described above as the Undertaking
.
Whereas the Proponent has requested that the Environmental Assessment Act apply to the Undertaking.
Now, therefore
The Minister and the Proponent agree that the Environmental Assessment Act apply to the Undertaking.
This Agreement shall take effect from the date of the last signature below and shall continue indefinitely unless terminated by the agreement of both Parties, in writing.
Executed by:
Original Signed By: Agatha Garcia-Wright
Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch
Ministry of the Environment
Date: September 9, 2011
Original Signed By: Paul G. Semple, P. Eng.
Chief Operating Officer
Noront Resources Limited
I have the authority to bind the Corporation.
Date: September 8, 2011