The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency said May 31 that it has commenced a federal environmental assessment for the proposed Murray River Coal Project located in British Columbia.
The public can review and comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines, a document that identifies the potential environmental effects to be taken into consideration and the information and analysis that needs to be included in the proponent’s EIS. Written comments must be submitted by June 30.
This is the second of four opportunities for Canadians to comment on this project. Following this comment period, the agency will finalize and issue the EIS Guidelines to the proponent. An application period for participant funding and a future public comment period related to the EIS will be announced at a later date.
HD Mining International Ltd., which is based in China, proposes the construction, operation and decommissioning of an underground coal mine and supporting infrastructure, including a 5.8-kilometer rail line. The proposed project is located 12.5 kilometers southwest of Tumbler Ridge and would produce six million tonnes of metallurgical coal per year for an estimated mine life of 31 years. This is one of several coal mining projects being developed in western Canada to take advantage of expected growth in Pacific Rim met coal demand.
