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Open house upcoming for Bingay mine project
Centermount Coal Ltd. (Proponent) is proposing to develop the Bingay Main Coal Project, located approximately 21 kilometres north of Elkford.
The project would be an open pit coal mine with a production capacity of one million tonnes per year.
The project is subject to review under British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Act (2002) and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (2012). The proponent must obtain an environmental assessment certificate before any work can be undertaken on the project. However, prior to submission of an environmental assessment certificate application by the proponent, the Environmental Assessment Office of British Columbia (EAO) must first approve the Application Information Requirements.
Key to the Application Information Requirements is the identification of ‘Valued Components’ to be studied and the areas within which the studies would occur. Valued Components are the environmental, economic, social, heritage, and health components that may experience potential effects as a result of the project.
The selected Valued Components are presented in the draft Valued Components Selection Document which the proponent has prepared and EAO invites the public to submit comments on.
In order to provide information about the Valued Components Selection Document, environmental assessment process and the Project, EAO invites the public to attend an Open House: at: Elkford Community Conference Centre (Teck Hall) 750 Fording Drive, Elkford on November 15 between: 4:30 and 8:30 p.m.
EAO representatives and the proponent will be present to provide information and respond to questions about the project at the open house.
Public submission period begins today
There are 32 days for the submission of comments by the public in relation to the draft Valued Components Selection Document. The comment period begins today (November 2) and ends on December 4.
The intention of seeking public comments is to ensure that all potential effects – environmental, economic, social, heritage and health – that might result from the Project are identified for consideration as part of the assessment process. At this stage of the process, the primary intent is to receive feedback about the studies or information required for a comprehensive environmental assessment.
After taking public comments into account, the Valued Components Selection Document will be finalized and included in the Application Information Requirements.
EAO accepts public comments through the following ways:
By Mail:
Teresa Morris
Project Assessment Manager
Environmental Assessment Office
PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria B.C., V8W 9V1
By Fax: 250-387-2208
An electronic copy of the draft Valued Components Selection Document and information regarding the environmental assessment process are available HERE.
Copies of the draft Valued Components Selection Document are also available for viewing at these locations:
- Centermount Coal Office – 808 Michel Road, Elkford;
- Elkford Public Library – 816 Michel Road, Elkford;
- Sparwood Public Library – 110 Pine Avenue, Sparwood.
If you are unable to participate at this time, there will be an additional comment period during the Application Review stage when you will also be able to provide comments to EAO on the Project.
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