Notice of Environmental Assessment Determination

Ottawa - April 18, 2013 - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) has decided that a federal environmental assessment is not required for the Houston Beneficiation Plant Project (the Project) pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012).

In making this determination, the Agency considered the following factors as indicated in section 10 of CEAA 2012:

• the Project Description provided by the proponent on February 21, 2013; and
• the possibility that the carrying out of the Project may cause adverse environmental effects.

The Agency did not receive any comment during the 20-day public comment period.

The Agency is satisfied that the environmental effects of the Project are well understood and adequately characterized in the Project Description. The Agency is satisfied that the Project will result in minor environmental effects and that these effects will be adequately managed by the proponent. The Project will rely on existing or approved infrastructure associated with the proponent's mining operations in the region, and the proponent has committed to expanding and applying its existing management plans and mitigation measures to the Project, as appropriate.

Therefore, the Agency decided that an environmental assessment of the designated project, as proposed in the Project Description, is not required under CEAA 2012.