Geology Matters 2013

Presenter: Robert Federico, Principal

November 14, 2013

Donkin Coal MineEnvironmental Assessment Case Study

Project Summary

An underground coal mine facility is proposed at the existing Donkin Mine on the Donkin Peninsula in Cape Breton.

3.6 million tonnes per year of raw coal

Washed to provide about 2.75 million tonnes/year of primarily coking coal for export.

Waste coal and rock disposed onsite in surface containment systems engineered to manage runoff

Product coal loaded onto 4000 tonne barges at a new wharf, to be constructed on the Donkin Peninsula

Barges will be moved 8.8 km by tug boats to a transshipment facility and loaded onto Cape Size vessels for export

Environmental Assessment Requirements

• Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) Comprehensive study level EA required for “a coal mine with a coal production capacity of 3,000 t/d or more”

• Under NS Environment Act and EA Regulations, registration required for a “facility that extracts or processes coal” (Class I undertaking)

• Federal-Provincial EA Harmonization Agreement signed for Project

Other Applicable Legislation

• Fisheries Act• Navigable Waters Protection Act• Canadian Environmental Protection Act• Explosives Act• Migratory Birds Convention Act• Species at Risk Act• Mineral Resources Act and Regulations• Endangered Species Act• Crown Lands Act and Beaches Act• Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity

Act

Valued Environmental Components

• Atmospheric Resources • Water Resources • Birds and Wildlife• Wetlands and Rare Plants• Freshwater Fish and Fish

Habitat• Marine Environment• Commercial and

Recreational Fisheries• Land Use• Current Use of Land and

Resources by the Mi’kmaq for Traditional Purposes

• Archaeological and Heritage Resources

Key Project AlternativesMining Method

Longwall mining Continuous miner

Product CoalThermal Coal Product Coking Coal Product

TransportationMarineRailRoad

Wharf DesignConveyor with Trestle (no breakwater)Concrete Caisson DesignTimber Crib Design

Coal Rejects Management 

Surface StorageUnderground disposal (Backfilling)Ocean disposal

Water TreatmentPassive water treatmentActive water treatment

Disposal of Dredged Material Disposal at seaOn-land disposal

Consultation

• The public had three opportunities to provide formal comment to the CEA Agency

• Public Review also conducted under provincial EA process

Public Consultation

meetings and open houses with stakeholder groups

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Traditional Use

• Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study (MEKS) was conducted

Key Environmental Issues

• Wetland habitat alteration (42 Ha)

• GHG production• Effects on seabird

and migratory bird habitat

• Marine environment

• Commercial fisheries

• Economic benefits

Key Design and Other Mitigation• Commitment to controlling GHG emissions

through a GHG Management Plan

• Habitat buffers for seabird colony along the coast of the peninsula

• Habitat compensation to provide no-net-loss of productive capacity of fish and wetland habitat

• Dust control

Advice to Proponents

• In pursuit of environmental permitting, time is never your friend – consider the environmental approval process as early as possible in project planning.

• An EA process can take between 1to2 years to complete depending on project and approval regime.

• Prepare an Issues Scoping and Regulatory Roadmap document.

Advice to Proponents (cont)

• The Regulatory Roadmap identifies :• Key environmental issues at the site • Early opportunities to reduce environmental risks in

project planning• Likely environmental approval requirements and

timelines• Field studies, data requirements and seasonal

collection windows• Public consultation and First Nations engagement

planning• Early, informal engagement with regulatory

officials

Thank You