ST. JOHN’S, NL – An environmental impact statement will be completed for Search Minerals Inc.’s proposed Foxtrot rare earth element mine project southeast of Port Hope Simpson in Labrador.
According to a Jan. 31 environmental assessment bulletin from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment, the company has been informed of the decision.
An environmental assessment committee will be appointed to provide scientific and technical advice to Municipal Affairs and Environment Minister Eddie Joyce and to prepare draft guidelines for conducting the EIS, the bulletin stated.
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Additional project and baseline information requirements must address effluents, emissions and potential generation of radioactive materials; effects on surrounding water bodies and ground water, local water supply, wildlife and vegetation; details on all aspects of project infrastructure; and project scope, including consideration of power supply and port facilities.
The proposed mine would have an estimated mine life of 14 years with open pit mining for the first eight years and underground mining for the last six.
Aspects of the project would include an open pit, a waste dump, a low-grade stockpile, a dry stack tailings facility, a polishing pond, sedimentation pond, an access road, a central ore processing plant, and various administrative and accommodative buildings.
The public will be invited to provide comment on the draft guidelines.
