Environmental and Stakeholder Activities
A Project Description for the Cape Ray Project was submitted to the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Assessment Agency (NLEAA) and the Federal Canadian Environmental Agency (CEAA) back in July 2016 which has initiated the Environmental Assessment (EA) process for the project. The NLEAA and CEAA issued their respective guidelines in December 2016 and April 2017 respectively.
Matador has subsequently requested an extension to the timeline for the EIS submission, due to the hiatus between the issuing of the guidelines and Matador taking ownership of the Project. This was dually approved in March 2019, with the extension granted until 24 August 2020.
Environmental
Environmental Applications Group Inc. (EAG) have been retained as environmental consultants for the Project to oversee the EA process and permitting. The work carried out to date on the EA activities include the following:
- GAP analysis report to identify environmental baseline data gaps
- EA and Permitting Strategy and timelines
- First Nation and Stakeholder Consultation Plan
2019 Environmental Baseline Surveys onsite included:
- Fish Community and Habitat
- Avifauna (Birds) including raptors, owls, marsh-birds and ptarmigan
- Habitat and Ecological Land Classification Studies
- Caribou migration and breeding surveys
- Small mammal surveys
- Surface Water Quality and Hydrology
- Groundwater Quality and Hydrogeology
- Geochemistry (ore, development rock and overburden)
Environmental Baseline Surveys planned for 2020 include:
- Caribou (calving, overwintering survey)
- Continuation of Surface and Groundwater Program
- Continuation of Hydrology and Hydrogeology Program
- Atmospheric Data collection including Meteorological
- Archaeological and Heritage Values
- Socio-Economic studies
Contact Form
For any queries or concerns related to environmental and/or stakeholder issues please contact us via the form below.
Consultation with First Nations
Matador and its principal consultant EAG continue to advance the EA process and permitting with a comprehensive Consultation Plan having been prepared to guide the consultation efforts with First Nation Communities.
Matador has held initial meetings with the Chief and members of Council of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Community in Corner Brook in June and the Chief and Council of the Miawpukek Mi’kmaq community in Conne River in October regarding the Project. Further to this, a community open house was held in the Miawpukek community following the meeting with the Chief and Council.
Follow up meetings are planned in both communities early in 2020 and will continue throughout the EA process and life of the project.
Engagement with other Stakeholders
Matador has also initiated consultation efforts with municipal governments, outfitters, special interest groups and members of the public. Matador held two public information sessions in September in the communities of Port aux Basques and Isle aux Morts, both of which were attended by almost 100 people.
The proposed timeline for the project development and associated licencing and permitting activities is shown below.
Image 1: Proposed Project Timeline
Image 2: Cape Ray Project surrounding area
