geology matters 2013 presenter: robert federico, principal november 14, 2013 donkin coal mine...
TRANSCRIPT
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
15
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