Kitsault Mine Project Comprehensive Study Report
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Canadian Environmental Agence canadienne Assessment Agency d’évaluation environnementale Kitsault Mine Project Comprehensive Study Report August 2013 Cover photo credited to Avanti Staff. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada (2013). This publication may be reproduced for personal use without permission, provided the source is fully acknowledged. However, multiple copy reproduction of this publication in whole or in part for purposes of distribution requires the prior written permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. To request permission, contact [email protected]. Catalogue No.: En106-120/2013E-PDF ISBN: 978-1-100-22586-9 This document has been issued in French under the title Rapport d'étude approfondie – Projet minier Kitsault Alternative formats may be requested by contacting [email protected] Executive Summary The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) prepared this comprehensive Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. proposes to study report in consultation with Fisheries and construct, operate and decommision an open pit Oceans Canada and Natural Resources Canada molybdenum mine with a production capacity of following a technical review of the proponent’s approximately 40 000 to 50 000 tonnes (t) per day. Environmental Impact Statement and an The proposed Kitsault Mine project (the Project) evaluation of the potential environmental effects will be located 140 kilometres (km) north of Prince of the Project. Environment Canada, Health Rupert, British Columbia, within the Nass Area Canada and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern and Nass Wildlife Area defined by the Nisga’a Development Canada provided additional Final Agreement. The Project consists of an expert advice. open pit, an ore processing plant, ancillary mine infrastructure, tailings and waste rock management Valued components (VCs) are notable features facilities, buildings, explosives manufacturing of the natural and human environment that have facility and storage magazines, water management the potential to be impacted by the Project. This facilities and a power substation. The Project report presents the assessment of the Project’s involves redeveloping a previous mine which last effects on the following key VCs: surface water operated in 1982. and sediment quality, hydrology, groundwater, fish and fish habitat, marine aquatic resources, An environmental assessment (EA) of the Project wildlife and wildlife habitat, vegetation and plant under the former Canadian Environmental communities, and land and resource use. Assessment Act (the former Act) is required because Fisheries and Oceans Canada The Agency assessed the potential for the and Natural Resources Canada may take Project to have significant adverse effects on regulatory decisions in relation to the Project. the environment. In addition, the environmental A comprehensive study EA is required under effects on the Nisga’a Nation and the effects of the Comprehensive Study List Regulations. The the Project on the existing and future economic, Project is considered a major resource project social and cultural well-being of Nisga’a citizens under the Cabinet Directive on Improving the as set out in the NFA were assessed as part Performance of the Regulatory System for of the EA. These evaluations were completed Major Resource Projects. based on technical information provided by the proponent, advice from federal, provincial and A provincial EA was conducted under British Nisga’a Lisims Government (NLG) experts, and Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Act comments provided by Aboriginal groups and with federal and provincial agencies working public stakeholders through various consultation cooperatively to coordinate activities as guided opportunities. by the principles of the Canada-British Columbia Agreement for Environmental Assessment Potential environmental, economic, social and Cooperation (2004). The Project is also subject cultural effects and concerns examined during to the EA requirements of the Nisga’a Final the comprehensive study process include: Agreement (NFA), a constitutionally-protected treaty, as the mine footprint will be situated • changes to surface water and sediment quality in the Nass Wildlife Area and Nass Area of • management of mine wastes to prevent metal British Columbia and portions of the proposed leaching and acid rock drainage transportation corridors overlap Nisga’a Lands. • protection of fish and fish habitat • effects on the marine environment CEAA—Comprehensive Study Report: Kitsault Mine Project III • attainment of employment and training for Project is not likely to cause significant adverse Nisga’a citizens environmental effects. • social effects related to limited housing supply in Nisga’a Villages and increased income With respect to potential effects on residents of Nisga’a Lands, Nisga’a Lands or Nisga’a Issues identified as a result of public and Aboriginal interests, the Agency identified potential adverse consultations include the protection of moose but not significant environmental effects on and surface water quality, site reclamation and Nisga’a Nation treaty interests in relation to the need for ongoing monitoring and fisheries, wildlife and migratory birds and forest environmental management. resources. The Project is also likely to affect the social and cultural well-being of Nisga’a citizens Mitigation measures to prevent or reduce the as the potential inflow of people and income adverse effects of the Project were incorporated to Nisga’a communities may place additional into the project planning and design. These demand on the existing housing supply and may measures include: reduce Nisga’a opportunities to pursue cultural activities. A modest benefit may occur to the • treatment of mine contact water prior to economic well-being of Nisga’a citizens due discharge into the receiving environment to employment and contracting opportunities • subaqueous disposal of potentially acid associated with the Project. generating tailings and low grade ore • discharge of mine water in a manner that Following public consultation on this Report, mimics natural stream flow the Minister of the Environment will decide • fish habitat compensation plan whether, taking into account the implementation of mitigation measures, the Project is likely to Management plans to address economic, cause significant adverse environmental effects. social and cultural effects on the Nisga’a At the same time, the Minister will issue an NFA Nation include: Project Recommendation. The Project will then be referred back to the responsible authorities for • educational support, skills training and the appropriate course of action in accordance closure transition support with Section 37 of the former Act. • programs and policies based on the results of a cultural and social needs assessment A follow-up program is required under the former Act to verify the accuracy of the EA and to determine the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures. The follow-up program will focus on confirming predictions of effects for the following elements: • water management • wildlife and wildlife habitat • wetlands and species-at-risk The Agency concludes that with the implementation of mitigation measures, the IV CEAA—Comprehensive Study Report: Kitsault Mine Project Table of Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................. iii List of Figures ....................................................................................................................ix List of Tables ......................................................................................................................ix List of Acronyms and Short Forms ..................................................................................x 1 Introduction .........................................................................................1 1.1 Project Overview ..........................................................................................................1 1.2 Environmental Assessment Context and Process ...................................................1 1.2.1 Purpose of the Comprehensive Study Report .....................................................1 1.2.2 Federal Environmental Assessment Process ......................................................2 1.2.3 Cooperative EA Process ......................................................................................2 1.2.4 Nisga’a Final Agreement ......................................................................................3 2 Project Description and Assessment of Alternatives ..............................4 2.1 Need for and Purpose of the Project .........................................................................4 2.2 Project Components ....................................................................................................4 2.2.1 Project Activities and Schedule............................................................................7 2.3 Assessment of Alternatives ........................................................................................7 2.3.1 Alternatives to the Project ....................................................................................7 2.3.2 Alternative Means of Carrying Out the Project ....................................................8 3 Scope of the Environmental Assessment ...............................................9 3.1 Factors to be Considered