ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS & APPROVALS

Class Environmental Assessment for Disposition of Rights to Crown Resources

Responsible Authority: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Status:

Approval received on November 2, 2010

Background:

Detour Gold has designed a site plan for the proposed Detour Lake gold mine. The Company will require additional land use for the tailings management area, mine rock stockpiles and explosives manufacturing facility. The Detour Lake Project will require the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) approvals and permits, also known as "dispositions of rights to Crown resources" so that Detour Gold has the ability to put these mine-related facilities outside of the mining lease area.

As part of the process to obtain these dispositions, Ontario Environmental Assessment Act coverage is required. This project has been screened to a "Category C" project and requires an Environmental Study Report as per A Class Environmental Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects (Class EA for RSFD).

Dispositions of rights to Crown resources is also needed for the land that will be used for the proposed 230 kV transmission line that will supply permanent power to the mine site. The Ontario Environmental Assessment Act coverage for the proposed transmission line (Detour Lake Power Project) will be met through the Ministry of the Environment, Individual Environmental Assessment process. Detour Gold will have to show evidence that they have complied with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act requirements before receiving MNR approvals for the transmission line corridor.

There are six steps Class EA for RSFD "Category C" Process:

Environmental Assessment Process:

There are six steps in preparing an Environmental Study Report for a Category C project:

1. Scoping,
2. Prepare a Draft Environmental Study Report,
3. Notice of Opportunity to Inspect Draft Environmental Study Report,
4. Complete Final Environmental Study Report,
5. Notice of Completion, Opportunity to Inspect Final Environmental Study Report, and
6. Statement of Completion, Implement Project

Step 1: Scoping

The MNR has reviewed the project plans and consultation efforts to date and applies screening criteria to determine how the project should be evaluated.

Step 2: Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) - Project Proposal

The ESR included a description of the proposed project, project alternatives and the study area; an analysis of the environmental effects of the project and its alternatives; an estimation of the effectiveness of the alternatives to meet the intended purpose; an estimation of the cost and feasibility of the alternatives; an assessment of the significance of the residual environmental effects of the Project after mitigation; and monitoring requirements.

Aboriginal people, stakeholders and other interested persons were enouraged to participate in the public information sessions held in March, April, May and June 2010 to share issues and concerns that should be considered in the ESR.

Step 3: Notice of Opportunity to Inspect Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) - Project Proposal

In May 2010, the MNR published the Notice in local newspapers. Detour Gold also sent this notice to stakeholders and Aboriginal communities.  The draft ESR was made available for review at public viewing locations and on the website for a 45-day review period, which ended on June 20, 2010.

Detour Gold  received comments on the draft ESR and considered the comments in the development of the final ESR.

Step 4: Completion of the Final ESR - Project Plan

The final ESR considered the comments received through the public review and outlined the preferred alternative. The final ESR also included a Project Plan with more details about how the Project will be implemented.

Step 5: Notice of Completion, Opportunity to Inspect the Final ESR - Project Plan

In August 2010, the MNR published the Notice in local newspapers.  Detour Gold also sent this notice to stakeholders and Aboriginal communities.  The final ESR was made available at public viewing locations on August 18, 2010.  The 30-day review period ended on September 17, 2010. No Part II order requests were recieved..

Step 6: Statement of Completion, Implement Project

MNR issues a Statement of Completion that will approve the project, approve the project with conditions or not approve the project. (Section 5.6 of the guide: A Class Environmental Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects provides an overview of the Part II Order process).

Status of the Environmental Assessment:

The Environmental Assessment was approved on November 2, 2010.

Click here to see in which step we are at in the process.

Public viewing locations

Links to Notices and Documents:

A Class Environmental Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development  Projects Final

Notice to Inspect the Environmental Study Report