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VICTORIA – Vancouver-based Western Canadian Coal Corp. has received a provincial environmental assessment certificate for its proposed Brule coal mine project located near Chetwynd.
The Brule project is comprised of two major components – the proposed
open-pit coal mine located 55 km south of Chetwynd and a proposed rail load out
located about 60 km west of Chetwynd at Falling Creek Flats. Coal from
the new Brule mine will be trucked to the existing Bullmoose load out near
Tumbler Ridge until the Falling Creek load out and 22 km of new road are
constructed in about three years. In addition, two new 25-kilowatt power lines
will connect the mine and load out to the existing BC Hydro grid.
The mine has potential to produce up to two million tonnes per year of pulverized coal injection coal for sale in the export market. Western Canadian Coal Corp.’s (the proponent) adjacent Dillon Mine is scheduled to close later in 2006. The proponent’s objective is to transition directly from Dillon to Brule without interruption of production. Coal from the Dillon operation is currently trucked to the Bullmoose load out.
The environmental assessment
concluded the proponent’s proposed mitigation measures satisfactorily address
issues raised by government agencies, First Nations and local communities.
The provincial environmental assessment certificate contains 14
environmental management plans and 122 commitments that the proponent must
implement throughout the various phases of the project. Some key commitments
include:
·
Environmental
supervision and monitoring, air and
dust control, and sediment and erosion control management plans during
construction to protect water quality, air quality and fisheries.
·
Protection
of archaeological and traditional land use sites.
·
Protection
of air and water by meeting site-specific air and water quality objectives as
set by the Ministry of Environment.
·
Wildlife
protection plan to minimize potential impacts on wildlife, including grizzly
bear and woodland caribou.
·
A
reclamation and decommissioning plan which includes wildlife and forestry end
land use objectives.
·
Health,
safety and traffic management plans.
·
Support
of training programs, provision of apprenticeship opportunities and development
of a community awareness program.
In addition, the proponent is required to obtain the necessary permits
and authorizations following receipt of an environmental assessment
certificate.
The project was not subject to a federal environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. However, Fisheries and Oceans Canada participated in the project working group, which provided advice to the Environmental Assessment Office during the review.
The project capital cost is approximately $200 million, to be invested during the construction stage, with 200 jobs created during the construction phase and 250 jobs during its operation over an 11-year mine life.
More information on the environmental certificate can be found at www.eao.gov.bc.ca.
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Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Environment 250 953-4577 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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