Proven Management – Proven Gold Districts – Safe Jurisdictions Symbol:PG Exchange:TSX Hardrock Project Environmental Assessment Strategy Session Agency Meeting – MOE/MNR/MNDM/MTO May 7, 2014
PG:TSX Agenda Introductions Project Overview Environmental Assessment (EA) and Permitting Implementation Strategy Federal EA Class EAs Questions/Next Steps
PG:TSX Project Overview Located approximately 275 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. Premier acquired Hardrock claims in December 2008 from Lac Properties. Property is a brownfield (actively mined during s and in later years was known as the MacLeod- Mosher complex). Premier proposes to construct, operate and ultimately close/rehabilitate a new open pit gold mine, processing plant and ancillary facilities, collectively known as the Hardrock Project (the Project).
PG:TSX Project Overview: Preliminary Site Plan
PG:TSX Federal EA Project Description was formally submitted to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) on April 15, Formal acceptance was received on April 23, The Agency has 45 days (from April 23 rd ) to determine if a federal EA is required and to conduct a 20-day public comment period. We assume there will be an EA and are moving forward in our undertakings. Public comment period is only on whether there should be an EA or not – there will be other comment periods around the EIS guidelines; EIS by the proponent and the EA report by the Agency. The Agency’s issuance of the Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines will be within 60 days of the decision to undertake an EA.
PG:TSX Class EAs We have identified four potential Class EA processes, including : 1.Class Environmental Assessment for Resource Stewardship and Facility Development (MNR Class EA); 2.A Class Environmental Assessment for Activities of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines under the Mining Act (MNDM Class EA); 3.Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (MTO Class EA); and, 4.Municipal Engineers Class Environmental Assessment (Municipal Class EA). The work plan for all the Class EAs will use existing environmental baseline data development for the Federal EIS. Two open houses will be held (coordinated for all EA processes) to avoid consultation fatigue.
PG:TSX MNDM Class EA Approval (if no Part II Orders) MNDM Class EA (Category C) MNR Class EA (Category C) MNR / MTO / Municipal Class EA Approval (if no Part II Orders) MTO / Municipal Class EA (Group B) Review of Potential Part II Orders Approval of all Environmental Permits - Start of Construction Submission of all Environmental Permit Applications Environmental Permits Preparation Environmental Permits Review and Approval by Regulatory Agencies Closure Plan and MMER Schedule 2 Amendment Ongoing Regulatory, Agency, Public, Aboriginal and Stakeholder Engagement Notice #1 Notice #2 Notice #3 Notice #4 Notice #5 OH1 AC1 R1 OH2 AC2 R3 OH3 AC3 R4 R2 Substantial Completion of Baseline Studies Federal EA Decision Submission of Project Description Technical Data Reports Federal EIS PreparationAgency EA Report Preparation Project Description Respond to Information Requests Agency acceptance of PD or requests more information from proponent Agency review. Public comment period. Information Request submissions. EIS Guidelines ReleasedEA Report Released EA Decision EA and Permitting Implementation Strategy
PG:TSX MNDM Class EA Preliminary screening indicates a Category B MNDM Class EA. Request for the surface rights of the 120 m reserve surrounding any waterbodies that will be required for development (i.e., for tailings management, infrastructure, etc.). Road allowances between lots and concessions may not automatically be included with a lease. If located within municipal boundaries, the road allowances are vested to the municipality and are considered to be public highways. Surface rights within 45 m of highways maintained by the Ministry of Transportation are not included in leases.
PG:TSX MNR Class EA Preliminary screening indicates a Category C MNR Class EA. Triggers include: construction camp, pipeline to Kenogamisis Lake, water crossings, aggregate permitting, forestry/tree cutting, support permits issued by MNR such as under the Endangered Species Act, Public Lands Act, the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act, etc. Summary of the preliminary screening is as follows: Screening CriteriaRating of Potential Net Effects -H-M-LNilUnk+L+M+H Natural Environment Considerations Land Use, Resource Management Considerations Social, Cultural, and Economic Considerations Aboriginal Considerations
PG:TSX MNR Class EA (Cont.) Recommended the Project be screened as a Category C Undertaking for the following reasons: Less than half of the criteria were rated as potentially having medium or high net negative effects. The potential effects associated with the operation of gold mines are well known. The appropriate type of management plan, a Closure Plan, will be filed with the MNDM.
PG:TSX MNR Class EA (Cont.) Mitigation measures will be required to minimize the potential effects associated with the Project. Potential negative effects will be reduced through the evaluation of alternatives and mitigation measures. Overall, the potential effects associated with the Project can be adequately addressed through the Class EA process. No distinct benefit from Part II of the EA Act would be realized should it be applied. The Category C process can adequately address the anticipated concerns of Aboriginal communities, stakeholders, and the public.
PG:TSX MTO / Municipal Class EA Group B Class EA (with Study Design Report) Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) will be focused on highway corridor. Technical Studies will support EA: Natural Environment (terrestrial and aquatic) Stage 2 Archaeology for preliminary preferred alignment only Noise Study Air Quality Assessment Land Use Factors Contamination Overview Study Groundwater Overview Study Erosion and Sediment Overview Study Highway Planning and Engineering Work - Prepare planning and preliminary design documents and supporting studies: Plan/profiles/cross section Preliminary Drainage Study Traffic Impact Study
PG:TSX Questions/Next Steps?