Public Notice
Murray River Coal Project – Public Comments Invited

May 31, 2013

As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency commenced a federal environmental assessment for the proposed Murray River Coal Project located in British Columbia. The Agency invites the public to comment on which aspects of the environment may be affected by this project and what should be examined during the environmental assessment.

The public can review and comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines, a document that identifies the potential environmental effects to be taken into consideration and the information and analysis that needs to be included in the proponent's EIS.

Written comments must be submitted by June 30, 2013 to:

Murray River Coal Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
410-701 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1C6
Telephone: 604-666-2431
Fax: 604-666-6990
MurrayRiver@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

To view the draft EIS Guidelines or for more information, visit the Agency's website (registry reference number 80041). All comments received will be considered public.

Copies of the draft EIS Guidelines are also available for viewing at the following locations:

• Dawson Creek Public Library
  1001 McKellar Avenue
  Dawson Creek, BC
• Tumbler Ridge Public Library
  340 Front Street
  Tumbler Ridge, BC
• Chetwynd Public Library
  5012 - 46th Street
  Chetwynd, BC

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the second of four opportunities for Canadians to comment on this project. Following this comment period, the Agency will finalize and issue the EIS Guidelines to the proponent. An application period for participant funding and a future public comment period related to the EIS will be announced at a later date.

Projects subject to CEAA 2012 are assessed using a science-based approach. If the project is permitted to proceed to the next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canada's strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up, and increased fines.

The proposed project

HD Mining International Ltd. proposes the construction, operation and decommissioning of an underground coal mine and supporting infrastructure, including a 5.8 kilometre rail load-out. The proposed project is located 12.5 kilometres southwest of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia and would produce six million tonnes of metallurgical coal per annum for an estimated mine life of 31 years.