Federal Review Panel for 'New Prosperity' appointed

The Honourable Peter Kent, federal Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) announced today the establishment of a three-member review panel for the federal environmental assessment of the proposed New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project in British Columbia.

The Minister has appointed Bill Ross as the Panel chair, as well as George Kupfer and Ron Smyth as Panel members. Biographical information on the Panel chair and members is available in the accompanying backgrounder.

The Minister is also releasing today the Panel Terms of Reference for conducting the environmental assessment. The Terms of Reference establish the mandate and authority of the Review Panel, as well as the procedures and timelines for the review.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines for the project were issued by the Minister on March 16, 2012. The Guidelines provide direction to the proponent, Taseko Mines Ltd., and identify the information that is required in the EIS. The EIS, to be submitted by the proponent, provides a detailed analysis of the potential effects of the proposed project on the environment.

The Panel Terms of Reference and EIS Guidelines were finalized following consideration of comments received from Aboriginal groups, the public, government authorities, the proponent, and other interested parties.

The Terms of Reference, the Guidelines, as well as additional information on the project, are available in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry on the Agency website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca , under reference # 11-05-63928.

To be added to the distribution list and be kept informed of activities relating to the panel review process, contact:

Livain Michaud, Panel Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor, Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-948-1359 / 1-866-582-1884
Fax: 613-957-0941
NewProsperityReview@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Taseko Mines Ltd. proposes the construction and operation of a large open pit gold-copper mine development, approximately 125 km southwest of Williams Lake, B.C.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.