IRON ORE COMPANY OF CANADA WABUSH 3 OPEN PIT MINE PROJECT LABRADOR WEST Environmental Assessment Registration Pursuant to the Newfoundland & Labrador Environmental Protection Act Description of a Designated Project Pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 Submitted by: Iron Ore Company of Canada 2 Avalon Drive Labrador City, Newfoundland & Labrador A2V 2Y6 Prepared with the assistance of: AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, A division of AMEC Americas Limited 133 Crosbie Road, PO Box 13216 St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador A1B 4A5 May, 2013 June 6, 2013 Rev.1for submission as Description of a Designated Project Pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 Table of Contents List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................ vi 1.0 .............................................................................................................................................. Introduction 1 1.1 The Proponent ................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Nature of and Rationale for the Project ........................................................................... 3 1.3 Environmental Assessment Processes and Requirements ............................................. 3 1.4 Purpose of the EA Registration and Project Description Document ................................ 4 2.0 .................................................................................................................................. Project Description 5 2.1 Geographic Location ...................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Alternatives to the Project ..............................................................................................11 2.3 Land Ownership ............................................................................................................11 2.4 Wabush 3 Project Components, Layout and Processes ................................................13 2.4.1 Wabush 3 Resource Information and Role in IOC Mine Plan ........................... 13 2.4.2 Wabush 3 Open Pit Mine Development and Operation .................................... 16 2.4.3 Overburden Handling ....................................................................................... 23 2.4.4 Waste Rock Disposal ....................................................................................... 23 2.4.5 Haulage Roads ................................................................................................ 24 2.4.6 Mine Water and Groundwater Extraction - Collection, Treatment and Disposal 25 2.4.7 Associated Infrastructure .................................................................................. 27 2.5 Construction/Development ............................................................................................31 2.6 Operations and Maintenance .........................................................................................33 2.6.1 Open Pit ........................................................................................................... 33 2.6.2 Waste Rock Disposal Areas ............................................................................. 35 2.6.3 Maintenance and Response Procedures .......................................................... 35 2.7 Closure and Decommissioning ......................................................................................36 2.8 Possible Accidents and Malfunctions .............................................................................36 2.9 Effects of the Environment on the Project ......................................................................36 2.10 Project Schedule ...........................................................................................................37 2.11 Labour Force and Occupations .....................................................................................37 2.12 Wabush 3 Project Documents .......................................................................................40 2.13 Wabush 3 Project Cost and Funding .............................................................................40 2.14 Environmental Management and Protection ..................................................................40 2.14.1 Environmental Protection Plan(s) ..................................................................... 42 2.14.2 Emergency Response and Reporting Plan(s) ................................................... 44 2.15 Other Required Environmental Approvals ......................................................................45 3.0 .............................................................................................................................. Existing Environment 46 3.1 Natural Environment ......................................................................................................46 3.1.1 Climate ............................................................................................................. 46 3.1.2 Air Quality and Noise ........................................................................................ 47 3.1.3 Geology and Topography ................................................................................. 54 3.1.4 Vegetation and Soils ........................................................................................ 55 3.1.5 Wetlands .......................................................................................................... 62 3.1.6 Hydrology ......................................................................................................... 66 3.1.7 Hydrogeology ................................................................................................... 69 3.1.8 Fish and Fish Habitat ....................................................................................... 71 IOC Proposed Wabush 3 Project • EA Registration and Project Description • Page i May 2013 3.1.9 Wildlife ............................................................................................................. 73 3.1.10 Avifauna ........................................................................................................... 75 3.2 Human Environment ......................................................................................................81 3.2.1 Historic and Heritage Resources ...................................................................... 81 3.2.2 Aboriginal Groups and Traditional Activities .................................................... .82 3.2.3 Communities and Population ............................................................................ 94 3.2.4 Human Health and Well-being .......................................................................... 94 3.2.5 Infrastructure and Services ............................................................................... 95 3.2.6 Land and Resource Use ................................................................................. 102 3.2.7 Economy, Employment and Business ............................................................ 104 3.2.8 Viewscapes and Visual Aesthetics ................................................................. 108 4.0 ......................................................................................................... Consultation and Issues Scoping 112 4.1 Public and Stakeholder Consultation ........................................................................... 112 4.2 Governmental Consultation ......................................................................................... 114 4.3 Aboriginal Consultation ................................................................................................ 115 5.0 ..................................................................................................... Environmental Effects Assessment 119 5.1 Environmental Assessment Scope and Methods ......................................................... 119 5.2 Atmospheric and Acoustic Environment ...................................................................... 120 5.2.1 Construction ................................................................................................... 120 5.2.2 Operations and Maintenance ......................................................................... 121 5.2.3 Closure and Decommissioning ....................................................................... 123 5.2.4 Potential Accidents and Malfunctions ............................................................. 124 5.2.5 Cumulative Environmental Effects .................................................................. 124 5.2.6 Environmental Effects Summary and Evaluation ............................................ 125 5.3 Terrestrial Environment ............................................................................................... 126 5.3.1 Construction ................................................................................................... 127 5.3.2 Operations and Maintenance ......................................................................... 129 5.3.3 Closure and Decommissioning ....................................................................... 129 5.3.4 Potential Accidental Events and Malfunctions ................................................ 129 5.3.5 Cumulative Environmental Effects .................................................................