Proponent: Champion Iron Mines Ltd.

Summary of Environmental Assessment Process

Project Description:

The Proponent is proposing to construct an iron ore mine in Labrador West. The mine will be located approximately seven kilometres southwest from the Town of Wabush, and 10 kilometres southwest from the town of Labrador City. The mine will produce approximately 8.6 million tonnes of iron ore concentrate annually over a 26-year mine life. The Project will include an open pit mine, conveyors, ore stockpiles, processing plant, ore concentrate load-out, access roads, workforce accommodations, and a railway corridor to connect to the Quebec North Shore & Labrador Railway.

• May 3, 2024 – The undertaking was registered.
• June 7, 2024 – Deadline for public comments.
• June 17, 2024 – The Minister’s decision is due.
• June 13, 2024 – An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required.
• June 13, 2024 – Environmental Assessment Committee (EAC) appointed.
• October 11, 2024 – The Minister is due to deliver EIS Guidelines to the Proponent.
• August 23, 2024 – Draft EIS Guidelines for public review.
• October 2, 2024 – Deadline for public comments on Draft EIS Guidelines.
• December 13, 2024 – The Minister is due to deliver EIS Guidelines to the Proponent (extended).
• December 19, 2024 – Final EIS Guidelines Issued.
• July 29, 2025 – EIS Submitted.
• September 17, 2025 – Deadline for public comments on the EIS.
• October 7, 2025 – The Minister’s decision on the acceptability of the EIS is due.
• November 7, 2025 – The Minister’s decision on the acceptability of the EIS is due (extended).
• December 22, 2025 – The Minister determined that the EIS Requires Additional Work.

Documents:

• • Registration Document (37 KB)
    • Appendix A – Conceptual Hydrogeological Modelling Report (52, 701 KB)
    • Appendix B – Hydrogeological and Water Balance Study – Rose Pit Water Management Infrastructure Design (49, 218 KB)
    • Appendices C – H (56, 646 KB)
      • Appendix C – Geochemical Characterization Report – Phase I Static Testing
      • Appendix D – Kami TMF Feasibility Study – Multiple Accounts Analysis – Tailings Management Facility
      • Appendix E – Kami Final Closure Summary
      • Appendix F – Ambient Air Quality Baseline Report
      • Appendix G – Terrain and Soils Baseline Report
      • Appendix H – Fish and Fish Habitat Baseline
    • Appendices I – P (52, 541 KB)
      • Appendix I – Surface Water Baseline Report
      • Appendix J – Vegetation and Wetlands Baseline Report
      • Appendix K – Avifauna Baseline Report
      • Appendix L – Wildlife Baseline Report
      • Appendix M – Historic and Heritage Resources Baseline Report
      • Appendix N – Cultural Heritage Screening Report
      • Appendix O – Socio-economic Baseline Report
      • Appendix P – Communication and Consultation Strategy
  • Decision Letter (555 KB)
  • Draft EIS Guidelines (514 KB)
  • Decision Letter EIS Guidelines (271 KB)
    • Final EIS Guidelines (666 KB)
  • Environmental Impact Statement
    • Cover Letter (283 KB)
    • Plain Language Summary (English) (5.5 MB)
    • Plain Language Summary (French) (5.6 MB)
    • Executive Summary, Table of Contents, Glossary and References (18.6 MB)
    • Chapters 1-4 (Introduction, Description, Alternatives and EA Approach) (76.7 MB)
    • Chapters 5-6 (Atmospheric Environment) (49 MB)
    • Chapters 7-9 (Aquatic Environment) (63.9 MB)
    • Chapters 10-11 (Terrestrial Environment) (190 MB)
    • Chapters 12-17 (Social) (42.4 MB)
    • Chapters 18-19 (A&M and Effects on Environment) (3.4 MB)
    • Chapters 20-24 (Summary, Engagement and Conclusions) (4.9 MB)
  • Annexes
    • Annex 1 (Atmospheric Baseline Reports) (24.3 MB)
    • Annex 2 (Aquatic Baseline Reports) (122.7 MB)
    • Annex 3 (Terrestrial Baseline Reports) (68.3 MB)
    • Annex 4 (Human Environment Baseline Reports) (45.1 MB)
    • Annex 5 (Management Plans) (34.6 MB)
  • Technical Support Documents (TSDs)
    • TSD I-III (TMF Design, Water Mgmt Infrastructure Design, Mine Waste Alternatives) (129 MB)
    • TSD IV (BACT Study) (747 KB)
    • TSD V-VIII (Hydrogeology Model, Water Balance/Water Quality Model, Selenium and Cobalt SSWQOs) (81.6 MB)
    • TSD IX (Fish Offsetting Plan) (41 MB)
    • TSD X-XI (HHRA & Visual Impact Assessment) (47.7 MB)
    • TSD XII (Geochemical Characterization) (17.7 MB)
  • Decision Letter – Environmental Impact Statement (226 KB)

Public Notices:

• • Project Registered (123 KB)
  • EIS Required and EAC Appointed (134 KB)
  • Draft EIS Guidelines for Public Review (154 KB)
  • Final EIS Guidelines Approved (92 KB)
  • EIS Submitted for Review (89 KB)
  • EIS Decision (83 KB)

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