October 5, 2012

Environmental assessment continues for Alderon open pit iron ore mine near Labrador City

The federal government and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador recently announced they are seeking public comments for an environmental assessment of an open pit mine proposed by Alderon Iron Ore Corp. near Labrador City.

“The proposed project includes construction, operation, rehabilitation and closure of the following primary components: open pit, waste rock disposal areas, processing infrastructure, tailings management facility, ancillary infrastructure to support the mine and processing plant, and a rail transportation component,” the provincial Environment and Conservation department stated in a bulletin October 1. “The project is scheduled to start construction in late 2013 or early 2014.”

The proposed project, dubbed the Kami Iron Ore Project, is about six kilometres south of Wabush Mines, in the general area of Labrador city and Fermont, Quebec.

Alderon is also proposing to build “associated infrastructure” at the Saint Lawrence River port of Sept-Iles, Quebec, to which Alderon would ship iron ore by rail.

The proposed project is undergoing a cooperative environmental assessment process by both the province and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. The environmental impact statement is posted to both the CEAA and Newfoundland government websites. Comments are due Nov. 20.

DCN DIGITAL MEDIA

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