Detour Gold Corporation - Enivronmental Assessments & Approvals

Introduction

For the development of the Detour Lake Project, Detour Gold must apply for permits and approvals under the following provincial and federal Acts:

(Ontario) Environmental Assessment Act
(Ontario) Water Resources Act
(Ontario) Environmental Protection Act
(Ontario) Public Lands Act
(Ontario) Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act
(Ontario) Mining Act
(Ontario) Aggregate Resources Act
Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
(Canada) Fisheries Act
(Canada) Explosives Act
(Canada) Navigable Waters Protection Act

This section outlines information about the environmental assessments and approvals including related documents and links, status of the environmental assessment process, and how you may participate in these processes. Please visit this site regularly for updated information. If you have comments or questions about any of this information, please contact us.

Required Environmental Assessments & Approvals

Act	Requirement	Responsible Authority
(Ontario) Environmental Assessment Act	Individual Environmental Assessment for Permanent Power Supply (230 kV Transmission Line)	Ontario Ministry of Environment
	Class Environmental Assessment for Temporary Power Supply (1 to 5 MW Diesel Generator)	Ontario Ministry of Environment
	Class Environmental Assessment for the Disposition of Rights to Crown Land (Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects)	Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

(Canadian) Environmental Assessment Act	Comprehensive Study Environmental Assessment (not yet confirmed)*	Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency; assessment coordinated by the Major Projects Management Office

*The scope of this study is currently under Federal review and has not yet been confirmed.

Individual Environmental Assessment for Permanent Power Supply (Transmission Line) (Category C)

Responsible Authority: Ontario Ministry of Environment

Background:

Electrical power was provided to the former Detour Lake mining operation by means of a 115 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 Reference

The 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 Metis people with an interest in the Detour Lake Project on September 21, 2009 for a 30-day review. A Notice of Commencement of the Draft Terms of Reference was sent to stakeholders and Aboriginal communities and placed in local newspapers. The Draft Terms of Reference was available for reviewing in public viewing locations on September 21, 2009. The deadline for comments on the Draft Terms of Reference was November 2, 2009.

Comments received on the Draft Terms of Reference were incorporated into the Proposed Terms of Reference which was submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Environment in December 2009. A Notice of Submission of the Proposed Terms of Reference was distributed to stakeholders and Aboriginal communities, posted in local newspapers, and was available for reviewing in public locations. The deadline for comments on the Proposed Terms of Reference was January 4, 2010.

On March 4, 2010, the Minister of the Environment approved the Proposed Terms of Reference.

Step 2: Preparation and Review of the Environmental Assessment

Detour Gold has now 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).

The Environmental Assessment will include:

A statement of purpose for the Project,
A description of and rationale for alternatives as set out in the Approved Terms of Reference,
A description of the environment that is likely to be affected by the Project (natural, social, economic, cultural and built environments),
An assessment and evaluation of the alternatives as identified in the Approved Terms of Reference,
A description of the proposed undertaking (the preferred alternative),
Documentation of the environmental effects and net effects of the Project,
A summary of mitigation and monitoring measures, and
A consultation summary.

Status of the Environmental Assessment:

Click here for process diagram showing where we are at in the process.

Detour Gold has completing 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). The Environmental Assessment is available for public review from April 30 until June 18, 2010, and can be downloaded from the link below or available for viewing at the public review locations.

Detour Gold is hosting a series of public information sessions in the region to discuss this and other provincial environmental assessments with interested parties.

Links to Notices and Documents:

Class Environmental Assessment for Temporary Power Supply (Diesel Generator) (Category B)

Responsible Authority: Ontario Ministry of Environment

Background:

The Detour Lake Project will require temporary power supply (total combined generating capacity of between 1 megawatt (MW) and less than 5 MW) to support current on-site work and site construction activities until such time as transmission line grid power is available at the site. The proposed permanent power supply provided from the Provincial grid by way of the proposed 230 kV transmission line is planned to be available by mid to late 2011. Once the transmission line is in place, the temporary construction power supply is expected to serve as back-up power in the event of power outages.

Under the Electricity Projects Regulation (Ontario Reg. 116/01) and as outlined in the Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Electricity Projects (March 2001), the proposed power generation Project is classified as a Category B Project (oil-fired projects of between 1 and 5 MW of power generation).

Environmental Assessment Process:

Category B Projects are generally projects associated with the type of environmental effects that can likely be readily mitigated. The Environmental Screening Process entails a Screening Stage and an Environmental Review Stage. The Screening Stage represents a first level of assessment. The Environmental Review Stage is applied if potential effects determined during the Screening Stage require a more detailed study. To ensure a thorough discussion and analysis of the issues involved with the proposed power generation plant, Detour Gold decided at the outset of the Project to integrate and conduct both the environmental screening and the environmental review, which includes the preparation of an Environmental Review Report (ERR). Click here for a flow chart of this environmental review process.

The Environmental Review Report (ERR) provides:

A description of the Project context and background;
A description of the power generating facilities, associated technologies, and the general site area including mapping;
A description of the local environment and conditions;
An overview of environmental screening results;
Documentation of environmental effects and significance of negative effects;
A summary of mitigation and monitoring measures;
Documentation of public and government agency consultation; and
Technical appendices.

The components of the environment reviewed and assessed include:

Surface and ground water;
Land and resource use;
Air and noise;
Natural environment;
Socio-economics;
Heritage and culture; and
Aboriginal effects.

In February 2010, Detour Gold published in local newspapers and distributed a Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Review. Aboriginal people, stakeholders and other interested persons were encouraged to participate in public information sessions held in March and April 2010 to share issues and concerns that should be considered in the Environmental Review. For additional information on consultation opportunities, click here.

Status of the Environmental Review:

Detour Gold has completed the Environmental Review Report and it is available for public review from June 10, 2010 to July 9, 2010. The report can be viewed via the link below, at Aboriginal community offices or at the following public locations.

Ministry of the Environment	Ministry of Natural Resources
Timmins District Office	2 Third Avenue
Hwy 101 E	P.O. Box 730
South Porcupine, ON P0N 1H0	Cochrane, ON P0L 1C0
T: 705-235-1511 / 1-800-380-6615	T: 705-272-4365

Timmins Public Library	Detour Gold Corporation
320 Second Avenue	Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower
Timmins, ON P4N 8A4	200 Bay Street, Suite 2200
T: 705-360-2623	Toronto, ON M5J 2J1
	T: 416-304-0800

Links to Notices and Documents:

Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Electricity Projects (March 2001)

Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Review

Notice of Completion of Environmental Review Report

Environmental Review Report

Class Environmental Assessment for Disposition of Rights to Crown Resources

Responsible Authority: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

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:

Scoping,
Prepare a Draft Environmental Study Report,
Notice of Opportunity to Inspect Draft Environmental Study Report,
Complete Final Environmental Study Report,
Notice of Completion, Opportunity to Inspect Final Environmental Study Report, and
Statement of Completion, Implement Project

Step 1: Scoping

The MNR reviews 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 is to include 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.

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

This notice is mailed to stakeholders, Aboriginal communities and other interested persons as well as posted in local newspapers. There is a minimum 30-day review period.

Step 4: Completion of the Final ESR -- Project Plan

The Final ESR will consider the comments received through the public review and will outline the preferred alternative. The Final ESR will also include 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

This notice is mailed to stakeholders, Aboriginal communities and other interested persons as well as posted in the local newspaper. There is a minimum 30-day review period.

Step 6: Statement of Completion, Implement Project

Once outstanding concerns are resolved and if no Part II Order requests are received during the comment period, then the MNR will issue 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:

Click here to see in which part of the process we are in

The draft ESR is currently available for public and agency review until June 20, 2010. The draft ESR can be downloaded from the link below or available for viewing at the public review locations.

Draft Environmental Study Report for the Detour Lake Project

Public viewing locations

A Class Environmental Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development
Projects (pdf)

Notice to Inspect the draft Environmental Study Report

Comprehensive Study Environmental Assessment* For Mine Site

*A Comprehensive Study has not yet been confirmed as the scope of the environmental assessment, pending further federal government review.

Responsible Authority: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency with Federal agency coordination and oversight provided through the Major Projects Management Office.

Background:

The Detour Lake Project has the potential to affect the fish in water bodies (lakes, streams) in the project area

such as the Karel Creek, East Creek, and Linden Creek systems, and potentially the Detour River if that system was to be selected as the preferred freshwater supply alternative. Any proposed projects that may affect fish or fish habitat are required to prepare an Environmental Assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

In addition, the Detour Lake Project will involve the construction of new explosives manufacturing and storage facilities. It is anticipated that a license will be required for an explosives manufacturing facility and for related magazine storage of explosives materials, in accordance with the Explosives Act. Any proposed projects that may involve manufacturing or storage of explosives are required to prepare an Environmental Assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Possible effects to fish or fish habitat and the involvement of explosives are called "triggers" since if they are part of a proposed project, they "trigger" a Federal environmental assessment (EA) process under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Environmental Assessment Process:

The first step in the federal environmental assessment process is to determine the scope of the environmental assessment. An environmental assessment may be scoped as one of four types of processes:

a screening,
a comprehensive study,
mediation, or
review panel.

The decision on the scope of the environmental assessment is likely to be determined by the Minister of Environment in the first half of 2010. The first phase of the environmental assessment process is to plan the environmental assessment. The federal government agencies are working with Detour Gold to do this. This phase of the environmental assessment includes:

Consultation on the draft Project Description (completed)
Submission of a Project Description (submitted July 2009 and updated January 2010)
Preparation of a Scoping Document (planned for spring 2010)
Consultation on the scope of the environmental assessment (planned for spring/summer 2010)

Phase 1: Plan the Environmental Assessment

To indicate to the federal government that the Project may require an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and start this first phase of the process, Detour Gold submitted a Project Description to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency on July 6, 2009 (amended January 2010). That submission initiated the beginning of this first phase of the process. This first phase involves various steps to set up the project including establishing the timelines and work plan for the preparation and review of the environmental assessment and conducting public consultation on the scoping document which provides information about what may be considered in the environmental assessment. Comments received on this scoping document will be used to prepare the Guidelines for the Environmental Assessment in later phases. A Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Assessment will be issued during this phase as well as other notices for public participation opportunities. At the end of this Phase, the Minister of the Environment makes a decision about what type of environmental assessment process is appropriate for the Detour Lake Project.

If the Detour Lake Project is determined to require a comprehensive study environmental assessment, the CEA Agency has indicated that it may delegate preparation of the draft Comprehensive Study Report to Detour Gold, as is frequently the case for the preparation of such documents. A detailed description of the Comprehensive Study Environmental Assessment process can be found on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's website: http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/Content/D/A/C/DACB19EE-468E-422F-8EF6-29A6D84695FC/Comprehensive_Study_Process_Guide.pdf

Status of the Environmental Assessment:

The Detour Lake Project is in Phase 1 of this environmental assessment process. The Project Description was submitted to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency on July 6, 2009. Consultation with the public, stakeholders and Aboriginal communities on the federal scoping document is planned to proceed September through December 2009.

The public, stakeholders, Aboriginal communities and other interested persons will have an opportunity to review and provide comments on the scoping document as well as the draft and final Comprehensive Study Reports (if a comprehensive study environmental assessment is the track decision) through public consultation opportunities.

Links to Notices and Documents:

Project Description (pdf)

Environmental Approval

Coming Soon

Appendix A
DLTPP_AppendixA.pdf

Appendix B
DLTPP_AppendixB.pdf

Appendix C
DLTPP_AppendixC.pdf

Appendix D
DLTPP_AppendixD.pdf

Introduction

Individual Environmental Assessment for Permanent Power Supply (Transmission Line) (Category C)

Class Environmental Assessment for Temporary Power Supply (Diesel Generator) (Category B)

Class Environmental Assessment for Disposition of Rights to Crown Resources

Comprehensive Study Environmental Assessment* For Mine Site

Environmental Approval

Environmental Assessment for the Detour Lake Power Project

Draft Environmental Study Report for the Detour Lake Project

Environmental Review Report