Environmental Assessment Decision Statement
North American Lithium Spodumene Mine Project, Quebec

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of the Environment (the Minister), has reviewed the federal environmental assessment of the North American Lithium Spodumene Mine Project (the Project) proposed by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (the proponent). Pursuant to section 125 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012), the environmental assessment of this Project was completed under the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (the former Act).

Having taken into consideration the Comprehensive Study Report and the public comments filed pursuant to subsection 22(2) of the former Act, the Minister is of the opinion that:

• the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, taking into account the implementation of the mitigation measures described in the Comprehensive Study Report; and
• the mitigation measures and follow-up program described in the Comprehensive Study Report are appropriate for the Project.

The Minister has referred the Project back to the responsible authority, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, for appropriate action under section 37 of the former Act.

The Minister requests that Fisheries and Oceans Canada ensure the mitigation measures described in the Comprehensive Study Report will be implemented. The Minister also requests that Fisheries and Oceans Canada ensure the follow-up program described in the Comprehensive Study Report will be carried out, in order to determine the effectiveness of the measures taken to mitigate any adverse environmental effects and to verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment of the Project.