Individual Environmental Assessment for Permanent Power Supply (Transmission Line) (Category C)
Responsible Authority: Ontario Ministry of EnvironmentStatus:
Approval received on December 16, 2010.
Background:Electrical power was provided to the former Detour Lake mining operation by means of a 115 kilovolts (kV) transmission line that connected the site to the provincial electrical grid at Island Falls. On completion of previous mining activities, the transmission line and other related power infrastructure were completely removed by 2003 and the right-of-way has been allowed to re-vegetate naturally.
A dependable power supply is required for the proposed Detour Lake Project. Detour Gold is proposing to re-connect to the mine site with the provincial electrical grid (the Detour Lake Power Project; DLPP). As a greater than 115 kV and less than 500 kV transmission line of more than 50 km in distance is proposed, a Category C Individual Environmental Assessment (EA) is required, pursuant to the
Electricity Projects Regulation (O.Reg. 116/01).
Environmental Assessment Process:The two main steps in preparing an Environmental Assessment in Ontario are:
- obtaining the approval for the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Assessment, and
- obtaining approval for the Environmental Assessment.
A description of these steps and associated links are provided below.
Step 1: Preparation and Review of the Terms of ReferenceThe first step in preparing the Environmental Assessment is obtaining approval of a Terms of Reference for the Environmental Assessment (the "Terms of Reference"). The Terms of Reference provides guidance about what must be included in the Environmental Assessment. The Terms of Reference is developed in consultation with affected stakeholders, Aboriginal communities and other interested persons and will follow the requirement outlined in the
Code of Practice: Preparing and Reviewing Terms of Reference for Environmental Assessments in Ontario (June 2007).A Draft Terms of Reference was prepared and distributed to stakeholders, First Nations and Métis people with an interest in the Detour Lake Project on September 21, 2009 for a 30-day review.
Comments received on the Draft Terms of Reference were incorporated into the Proposed Terms of Reference. The Proposed Terms of Reference were approved by the Minister of the Environment.
Step 2: Preparation and Review of the Environmental AssessmentDetour Gold has completed the Environmental Assessment in accordance with the Approved Terms of Reference and
The Code of Practice: Preparing and Reviewing Environmental Assessments in Ontario (October 2009).
Detour Gold received and provided responses to comments from interested stakeholders regarding the Environmental Assessment document.
The Ministry of the Environment issued Notice of Completion of Environmental Assessment Review. This provided an opportunity to inspect the Ministry Review. This inspection period ended on September 17, 2010.
Status of the Environmental Assessment:
The Environmental Assessment was approved on December 16, 2010
Click here for process diagram showing where we are at in the process. 
Links to Notices and Documents: