Central South Mine Project (Archived)

Chetwynd (BC)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Final Decision

Reference Number

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 11-03-61120

Environmental Assessment Type

Comprehensive study

Other Assessment Process

Government of British Columbia

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Natural Resources Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On March 28, 2011, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Fisheries and Oceans Canada considered taking action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act and Natural Resources Canada considered taking action in relation to paragraph 7(1)(a) of the Explosives Act.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

First Coal Corporation is proposing to construct and operate the Central South Mine Project 50 kilometres southwest of the District of Chetwynd, British Columbia. The Central South Mine Project is expected to produce 1.5 million tonnes of metallurgical coal per year for export over a mine life of 12 to 13 years. Coal will be processed in a preparation plant on site and transported by rail to Ridley Terminals located in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

First Coal Corporation is planning to use a mining method, based upon a hybrid system incorporating conventional open trenches and remote underground pillar mining, to recover coal from steeply dipping seams. Continuous reclamation and closure will be undertaken by progressively backfilling mined out trenches with waste rock from active trenches over the life of the mine.

The construction, operation and decommissioning of the following key components are proposed by First Coal Corporation:

• Trench development using conventional open pit mining techniques and trench excavations using remotely operated underground pillar mining;
• Coal preparation plant;
• 25 kilovolt power transmission line approximately 13 kilometres long;
• Construction of new access and haulage roads and upgrades of existing roads;
• Bulk explosives reload facility and power and fuse magazines;
• Mine waste management structures including overburden stockpiles, waste rock storage areas and coal reject stockpile;
• Water management structures including collection ponds and sediment control ponds;
• Rail load-out to facilitate the loading of trains of coal cars;
• Maintenance facilities, offices and fuel depot;
• Operations camp for up to 200 personnel; and,
• Mine closure and reclamation.

Final Decision

The environmental assessment was terminated on March 21, 2012 because the proponent had withdrawn the project.