Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced Thursday the federal Cabinet's decision to approve the Murray River Mining Project, located in central British Columbia, following a federal environmental assessment. The project, by HD Mining International Ltd., will mine metallurgical coal.
In the Environmental Assessment Decision Statement, the Minister established 104 legally-binding conditions to protect the environment, including mitigation measures and follow-up program requirements that must be fulfilled by the proponent throughout the life of the project. The proponent will be required to consult with directly affected First Nations on the implementation of the conditions. The First Nations will be provided with the support necessary to enable meaningful input. The conditions include measures to address effects of the project on human health, fish and fish habitat, migratory birds, Southern Mountain Caribou and other wildlife, and use of lands and resources by Indigenous peoples. As well, the conditions require the proponent to avoid, mitigate or offset impacts on caribou habitat.
The conditions also include, for the first time, a cap on greenhouse gas emissions associated with a coal mine. The proponent is responsible for limiting methane emissions to 500 000 tons of equivalent carbon dioxide per year.
This environmental assessment decision follows a thorough and science-based environmental assessment conducted by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) with the participation of the public, Indigenous groups, and expert federal departments including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Health Canada, and Natural Resources Canada.
If the proponent chooses to proceed, it will need to obtain additional provincial and local government authorizations and/or permits. The Agency will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing the Minister's legally-binding conditions under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.