Voisey's Bay Mine/Mill Project
Environmental Impact Statement

Project Features

1. The SHIPPING ROUTE extends from Edward's Cove to the east end of Paul Island and then passes north of the Hen and Chickens (which is the approximate limit of fast ice). Alternative route approaches are being surveyed. Shipping closure periods will apply early and late in the ice season, as will other measures to reduce disruption to snowmobile travel. Concentrate vessels using the route will typically be 25,000-50,000 DWT.
   
   
2. The PORT will have a large (500 m x 55 m) shed to store concentrate from the Mill. Fuel and containers will also be stored at the Port. Three to six ships per month (more in summer, fewer in winter) will deliver supplies and transport the concentrate. All concentrate handling systems will be enclosed to control dust; all Port drainage will be directed to settlement ponds.
   
   
3. The OUTFALL will release treated water to Edward's Cove. It will be the sole treated water discharge point during the first eight years of operation. A major feature of Project design is to avoid discharge to Reid Brook/Voisey's Bay and to recycle process water in order to reduce freshwater consumption. The pipeline will carry water from the treatment plant at the Mill site to Edward's Cove and will end at a diffuser at a depth of 50 m. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements for water quality, the dilution available in Anaktalak Bay will protect against any significant negative effects on the receiving environment.
   
   
4. Ihe MAIN ACCESS ROAD will be used by 40-80 tonne trucks to haul concentrate 11 km from the Mill to the Port, at a rate of about one truck load every 20 minutes. This road will also be used to haul supplies and equipment necessary for Project development and operations. Traffic rules will include restrictions to avoid harassment or disturbance to wildlife, such as caribou.
   
   
5. The OPEN PIT contains 32 million tonnes of ore reserves, which will be mined first. All drainage in the area will be directed to a large settlement pond to control siltation, then used in the Mill, or sent to the treatment plant. Explosives will be used to blast the ore, which will be taken by trucks to a nearby crusher adjacent to the Mill.
   
   
6. The PLANT SITE AND ACCOMMODATIONS complex is close to the ore bodies so as to reduce the extent of physical disturbance to surrounding land and the exposure of personnel to winter conditions. During full operations, the Mill will process 20,000 tonnes of ore per day. Water for the Mill will be supplied from a constructed sedimentation pond and recycled from Headwater Pond, or drawn from Camp Pond. The accommodations complex will provide recreational and social facilities for 350.
   
   
7. The HAULAGE ROAD will be used by 100 tonne trucks to move mine rock to Headwater Pond. A slurry pipeline that will convey tailings from the Mill to Headwater Pond will be alongside the haulage road. A second pipeline will return water to the Mill to reduce both water consumption as well as treated water discharge. The route will have spill collection ditches located to capture tailings if there is a pipeline break.
   
   
8. HEADWATER POND will be used for placing tailings and mineralized mine rock underwater to control sulphide oxidation. Mineralized mine rock will be deposited in Headwater Pond for the life of the mine, while tailings will only be deposited there during open pit mining. The underwater disposal of tailings and mineralized mine rock is recognized as best practice in the mining industry. A compensation plan will be negotiated with the federal government to replace fish habitat in Headwater Pond. Dams will contain any discharge from the tailings basin and, upon closure, the flow will be directed to the east, away from Reid Brook.
   
   
9. The AIRSTRIP is at the closest location that provides a safe approach, and relatively good visibility for regular air traffic (five trips/week). Aircraft altitudes will be su8icient to produce few effects on waterfowl in the Gooseland. The airstrip will make it possible for workers to commute during operations, thus avoiding the disruption of establishing a town at the site. Pick-up points will include Happy Valley-Goose Bay, North Coast communities, and Labrador City-Wabush.
   
   
10. UNDERGROUND MINING will start before open pit mining ends. The Eastern Deeps and Westem Extension zones will require further exploration prior to determining the details of a mine plan.
    
    
11. The PIPELINE EXTENSION to the North Tailings Basin will be used during future underground operations. The tailings pipeline from the Mill to the North Tailings Basin will be alongside a service xoad, an additional 6 km past Headwater Pond.
    
    
12. The NORTH TAILINGS BASIN will be used in the future for underwater storage of tailings during underground mining. It has ample capacity for safe disposal of the maximum estimated tailings. Fish habitat in the North Tailings Basin will be lost, but a compensation plan will be negotiated with the federal government. This two-staged approach to waste management has the advantage of allowing for long-term monitoring of Headwater Pond. As well, development of detailed plans for underground mining may identify opportunities to reduce the quantity of material requiring disposal.
    
    
13. The OUTFALL for the North Tailings Treatment Plant will discharge through a diffuser into Kangeklualuk Bay. A11 regulated limits will apply at the end-of-pipe, before dilution.
    

Note: Features in blue will be active after year 8 of Project operation.