Muskowekwan Potash Mine Project - Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA, Jan. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - 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 commenced a federal environmental assessment for the proposed Muskowekwan Potash Mine Project located in Saskatchewan on January 29, 2013. The Agency invites the public to comment on which aspects of the environment may be affected by this project and what should be examined during the environmental assessment.

The public can review and comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines, a document that identifies the potential environmental effects to be taken into consideration and the information and analysis that needs to be included in the proponent's EIS.

First Potash Ventures is proposing the construction, operation and decommissioning of a potash mine at a location approximately 100 km north-northeast of Regina, Saskatchewan. The project would be developed on Muskowekwan Reserve lands, lands selected under the Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement, and lands adjacent to the reserve that are owned by Muskowekwan First Nation and intended to become part of the reserve lands. The project would comprise a solution mine producing approximately 2.8 million tonnes of potash per year for a predicted mine life of 50 years.

Written comments must be submitted by February 28, 2013 to:

Muskowekwan Potash Mine Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Suite 101, 167 Lombard Ave
Winnipeg, MB R3B 0T6
Telephone: 204-983-5127
Fax: 204-983-7174
FirstPotash@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

To view the draft EIS Guidelines or for more information, visit the Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca (registry reference number 80025). All comments received will be considered public.

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

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the second of four opportunities for Canadians to comment on this project. Following this comment period, the Agency will finalize and issue the EIS Guidelines to the proponent. An application period for participant funding and a future public comment period related to the EIS will be announced later.

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.

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.

SOURCE: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency