Construction for the commercial nickel processing plant is scheduled to begin in 2008, with production ramp-up starting in late 2011. VBNC’s goal is to ensure that construction and operation of the plant proceeds with careful planning and execution, to minimize disruption to the natural and human environment of Long Harbour, and the surrounding environment and communities.

In March of 2006, VBNC registered the project description and registration document with the federal and provincial governments, officially starting the environmental assessment process for the commercial plant. These documents were reviewed by both levels of government and the general public to determine further environmental assessment requirements. Based on comments received from this review, guidelines were issued to VBNC in late October of 2006 outlining issues that VBNC must address in its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the commercial plant.

“The guidelines spell out in precise detail government’s expectations for our EIS,” said Environmental Analyst Brenda Brown. “We will identify all environmental impacts associated with this proposed development, and explain how we will mitigate those impacts.”

During September, VBNC hosted an Open House in Long Harbour to provide more information for area residents about the proposed commercial plant development. “We anticipated many questions from the public on a wide variety of topics,” Brown said. “We came prepared with comprehensive visual aids, including a complete diagram of the proposed commercial plant development. We also had people on hand who could talk directly about the things that matter most to people, such as employment and business opportunities, as well as environmental impacts.”

Of the more than 100 people who attended the open house, 43 completed a brief exit survey. “An analysis of the comments raised by the respondents showed that the number one interest was the employment generated by the project, and the number one concern was the impact it could have on the environment,” Brown explained. “People want assurances that there will be rigorous monitoring, and minimal impacts on the local environment.”

In the meantime, extensive environmental assessment work continues in Long Harbour, with a number of baseline studies being conducted in and around the proposed site. The studies will establish a better understanding of the physical and socio-economic environment in the area of the Commercial Nickel Processing Plant.

VBNC retained a number of consulting firms who have the expertise to examine all aspects of the existing environment, which will help determine environmental interactions so that mitigations can be designed and incorporated into the EIS. Areas of study include Physical Oceanography; Marine Birds, Shorebirds, Raptors and Otters; Water, Sediment, Mussels and Fish; Freshwater Baseline Study and Quantification of Habitat; Groundwater Characterization; Terrestrial Baseline Study; and Socio-Economic Study.