Regulatory Compliance
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| Collecting core for the Acid Rock Drainage Pre-screening Program. |
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Permits, Approvals and Authorizations
The Environmental Management Board (EMB), comprised of representatives from federal and provincial levels of government, Innu Nation, and Labrador Inuit Association, reviewed and provided advice to the appropriate regulatory agency on each permit application required during the 2003 construction season.
A total of 113 permits and authorizations were received for the 2003 construction season. Following a review of each permit application, the EMB provided advice to the regulatory agency, which subsequently issued the approval or authorization to VBNC.
Regulatory Inspection
Regulatory visits increased at the mine and concentrator construction site during the 2003 construction season. In total, 25 site visits were conducted by both federal and provincial regulators for inspections and various work-related activities.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans visited the project site on 14 different occasions and raised no issues or concerns during their inspections. Canadian Coast Guard officials conducted two site inspections of fuel storage and contingency plans and raised no compliance issues. Environment Canada made three site visits during 2003, focusing primarily on the automated water monitoring stations. No issues were raised as a result of these visits.
The Government Services Centre conducted three site visits during the 2003 construction season. Their inspections focused primarily on waste management, the new sewage treatment plant, and fuel storage and operations. No non-compliance directives were issued as a result of these inspections.
The Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods made two site visits in 2003 in response to the presence of black bears at the site and to inspect forest fire fighting equipment. A recommendation was made to increase the amount of equipment on site. The Department of Environment (Water Resources Management Division) made one site visit as part of a real time water quality monitoring effort established between Department of Environment, Environment Canada and VBNC. An inspector from the Department of Mines and Energy conducted a quarry inspection and no issues were raised.
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