Notice of approval – terms of reference

Proponent: Premier Gold Mines Hard Rock Incorporated
Environmental assessment (EA) file number: EA-03-04-01

As provided for by subsection 6(4) of the Environmental Assessment Act, the Amended Terms of Reference, as submitted for approval to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate on March 31, 2015, to govern the preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the above-noted undertaking, is hereby approved with the following amendments:

  1. Subsection 5.1.15, the paragraph, shall be amended to read:

    As the ore deposit is partially located underneath Highway 11, realignment of a portion of the existing Highway 11 is required to accommodate the proposed open pit. The realignment of Highway 11 will include the identification, assessment and comparison of a reasonable range of alternative alignments. Each of the alternative alignments that will be considered during the Environmental Assessment process will be assessed to determine whether or not it will have an advantage or a disadvantage in terms of its potential impact, both direct and indirect, after impact management measures have been applied, on each component of the environment as defined under the Environmental Assessment Act, which includes: the natural environment; social environment; economic environment; cultural environment; and, built environment.

    Each alternative alignment will be compared and assessed in accordance with the evaluation methodology, criteria and indicators identified in section 7. The criteria and indicators identified are based on preliminary description of the broad environment. As the description of the environment is finalized during the Environmental Assessment process, the criteria and indicators will be further refined through the review of external data sources; original modelling and studies; and, consultation with interested government agencies, Aboriginal communities and members of the public.

    Relocation of the MTO patrol yard may also be required depending on selection of the preferred highway alignment. A range of reasonable alternative locations and designs will be identified, considered and evaluated as part of the EA process.

  2. Subsection 9.6.4, the second paragraph, shall be amended to read:

    Effective and meaningful communication/engagement requires building trust between the Project team and Aboriginal groups, enhancing awareness of the Undertaking, and providing flexible consultation opportunities, issues resolution and feedback. Premier will ensure that Aboriginal communities are engaged and consulted at each of the following Environmental Assessment decision making milestones:

    • The development of a community specific Aboriginal consultation plan for the preparation of an Environmental Assessment;
    • The development of the methodology, evaluation and results of Baseline Studies;
    • The development of the evaluation methodology for the assessment of alternatives and the preferred Undertaking;
    • The conclusion of assessment and evaluation of alternatives (including the identification of potential effects and the development of appropriate mitigation and management measures).
    • The assessment and evaluation of the preferred undertaking (including the development of mitigation and monitoring measures to address any potential effects); and,
    • The conclusion of the assessment and evaluation of the preferred Undertaking (including potential effects, and appropriate effects management measures).

    Premier will provide opportunities for Aboriginal communities to be engaged at critical decision making points during the Environmental Assessment process, so that Aboriginal communities may provide input on how the undertaking and its alternatives may have an impact on their rights and interest through the sharing of traditional knowledge; and, that Premier will consider and incorporate, where appropriate, traditional knowledge into each Environmental Assessment decision making milestone.

Pursuant to subsection 6.1(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, any Environmental Assessment for the above-noted undertaking, submitted to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change pursuant to subsection 6.2(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, must be prepared in accordance with the Amended Terms of Reference as hereby approved.

Reasons

I am satisfied that an Environmental Assessment prepared in accordance with the Terms of Reference, as amended in accordance with the above, will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest for the following reasons:

  1. The Terms of Reference ensures that the Environmental Assessment will be completed using a comprehensive public, Aboriginal and government agency consultation process that is open and transparent;
  2. The Terms of Reference ensures that the completed Environmental Assessment will contain a sufficient level of detail to accurately assess the environmental effects of all alternatives and the proposed undertaking; and,
  3. The Terms of Reference sets out a planning process that will ensure the completed Environmental Assessment will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest.

Dated the 24th day of June, 2015 at Toronto.

Original signed by
Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
77 Wellesley Street West, 11th floor, Ferguson Block
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2T5