OTTAWA – The federal government has granted environmental approval for Howse Minerals Ltd.’s proposed open-pit iron ore mine project in Labrador to proceed.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna indicated the development is unlikely to have a major negative environmental impact.
"The meaningful consultation with Indigenous groups and the public, in combination with expert advice across federal departments, ensured a thorough environmental assessment process,” McKenna said in a news release issued by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) on Monday, April 10.
“Projects such as this one play a vital role in our economy in creating jobs and economic growth."
The mine is located roughly 25 kilometres northwest of Schefferville, Que.
Howse Minerals is projecting to extract approximately 46 million tonnes of iron ore at the site over a roughly 15 year period.
The release indicated McKenna considered the CEAA’s environmental assessment report in making her decision, which includes the agency’s conclusions and recommendations on the potential environmental effects of the project, the proposed mitigation measures, the significance of any adverse environmental effects and the follow-up program.
McKenna established 109 legally-binding conditions, including mitigation measures and follow-up requirements that Howse Minerals must meet throughout the life of the project as part of the environmental assessment decision statement.