The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the following relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

UNDERTAKING REGISTERED:

Valentine Gold Project Expansion – Berry Pit                                  (Reg. 2262)
Proponent: Marathon Gold Corporation

The Proponent is proposing an expansion to the gold mine project at Valentine Lake located approximately 55 kilometres southwest of Millertown in central Newfoundland.

The proposed expansion is to develop a third open pit within the mine site of the Valentine Gold Project. Development would include haul roads, stockpiles for waste rock/topsoil, expansion of low-grade ore/overburden stockpiles, and additional water management infrastructure. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on August 17, 2023; the deadline for public comment is September 21, 2023; and the minister’s decision is due by October 1, 2023.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE APPOINTED:

Badger Sand and Gravel Quarry                                                          (Reg. 2247)
Proponent: Exploits Welding and Machine Shop Limited

An Environmental Assessment Committee (EAC) has been appointed to provide scientific and technical advice to the minister and to prepare guidelines to advise the proponent of the information to be included in an environmental preview report. The EAC includes representation from the following government departments:

• Department of Environment and Climate Change
  • Environmental Assessment Division – Committee Chair
  • Water Resources Management Division

• Department of Industry, Energy and Technology
  • Mines Branch

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

Salvage Microbrewery                                                                              (Reg. 2253)
Proponent:  Wild Cove Adventures Limited.

The project is released from environmental assessment subject to the following conditions:

• The Proponent must uphold all commitments made in the environmental assessment submission to mitigate the effects of the project on the environment.
• The Proponent must update the Environmental Assessment Division on the status of the project, including a copy of all  permits, licences, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the project, one year from the date of this release letter and to provide additional updates if required.

Freshwater Kennedy Farm Abattoir                                                    (Reg. 2254)
Proponent: Kennedy Farm Inc.

The project is released from environmental assessment subject to the following conditions:

• The Proponent must uphold all commitments made in the environmental assessment submission to mitigate the effects of the project on the environment.
• The Pollution Prevention Division of the Department of Environment and Climate Change requires the following:
• The Proponent is to submit a Waste Management Plan for approval prior to project commencement and the plan must explain how the proponent will manage all potential waste streams generated at the facility. The plan must be comprehensive and incorporate a compost management section, developed in consultation with the Department of Fisheries Forestry and Agriculture, which demonstrates how to safely and effectively compost waste offal from the facility. The plan must include details pertaining to vector and odour control and contingencies for any spills of waste or hazardous materials.
• The Proponent must advise the Environmental Assessment Division when the conditions of release have been met by emailing a written description, documents, and images (where applicable) to demonstrate that the conditions have been fulfilled.
• The Proponent must update the Environmental Assessment Division on the status of the project, including a copy of all  permits, licences, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the project, one year from the date of this release letter and to provide additional updates if required

Learn more
Environmental Assessment Division
Department of Environment and Climate Change
West Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6

Environmental assessment information is available at:

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/GUIDE-TO-THE-PROCESS_May-2023.pdf

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @ECC_GovNL

Public comments may be forwarded to: EAprojectcomments@gov.nl.ca

If you submit comments on a project that is under environmental assessment, please advise the Department if you DO NOT wish to share your comments with the project proponent.