Joyce Lake Direct Shipping Iron Ore Project
Document reference number: 28
July 28, 2022
Allan Gan
Project Manager
Joyce Direct Iron Inc.
<email address removed>
Allan Gan:
On May 27, 2022, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) received your request for an extension to the three-year legislated time limit to provide the required information or studies for the environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) of the Joyce Lake Direct Shipping Iron Ore Project (the Project). As per subsection 181(2.1) of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), at the proponent's request, the Agency may extend the time limit by any period that is necessary for the proponent to provide the Agency with the required information or studies.
Following a review of available information, including the information submitted in your request, the Agency has determined that it will extend the time limit. The Agency is of the view that:
- the extension will facilitate coordination with the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), with the submission of one Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a coordinated comment period;
- the EIS has been reviewed by the Agency for conformity; and
- Joyce Direct Iron Inc. is currently updating the EIS to address deficiencies and advancing requested additional studies.
Please note, as recommended in previous correspondence, the EIS should include updated information on Indigenous communities and concerns in order to ensure acceptance of the EIS by the Agency. It is strongly recommended that this information be verified with Indigenous groups prior to submission.
The deadline to submit the required information or studies described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines is now December 31, 2025. Note that no further extension may be granted by the Agency. The required information and studies to be provided include the EIS and any additional required information or studies that may be identified as a result of:
- the Agency's conformity review of the EIS;
- the public comment period on the EIS Summary;
- the technical review of the EIS by the Agency and federal authorities; and
- associated consultation and engagement by the Agency with Indigenous communities.
If the information or studies are not provided within the extension of the time limit that has been granted, the environmental assessment for the Project under CEAA 2012 will be terminated in accordance with subsection 181(3) of the IAA. If the environmental assessment is terminated, note that, in accordance with subsection 7(1) of the IAA, proponents of a designated project are prohibited from carrying out any act related to the project that may cause one of the effects listed therein. If the proponent wishes to continue with the Project after the termination of the assessment, it must submit an Initial Project Description to the Agency in accordance with section 10 of the IAA.
Please note, your request, this determination, and a notice informing the public of the new time limit will be posted to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Mike Atkinson, Regional Director for the environmental assessment, by phone at <contact information removed> or by email at <email address removed>.
Sincerely,
<Original signed by>
Terence Hubbard