By Brent Bosker

Shore Gold files revised environmental impact statement

Aug 14, 2012 | 6:58 AM

A proposed diamond mine in the Fort a la Corne region east of Prince Albert could receive government approvals within a few months, but the daunting task for Shore Gold remains securing financing to build the estimated $1.9 billion mine in a time of global economic uncertainty.

However, the Saskatoon based company is applauding its latest achievement with the submission of its revised Environment Impact Statement  (EIS) to the federal and provincial governments on Friday.

“The submission of the Revised EIS marks the achievement of another major milestone on the route to the development of a world-class diamond mine in Saskatchewan,” stated George Reed, vice president of exploration in a news release.

“The Revised EIS is a substantial document that represents a huge amount of work and includes over 10,500 pages of information.”

The document is the result of over 800 comments received regarding the nature of the project and its impacts on nearby communities and the environment

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The comments were based on the company’s pre-feasibility report published in early 2010. The updated EIS, not only addresses those concerns, but includes more detailed information about the project outlined in the final feasibility study released last August.

While financing remains the largest hurdle, the project has only a few more steps to complete before the federal and provincial governments would be in a position to rule on it.

The first is a technical review, which is now underway.

“And then, provided all deficiencies have been addressed, then we can move it forward to the public review stage of the EIS,” said Brady Pollock, senior environmental assessment manager with the Government of Saskatchewan.

“The public review stage … is a legislated 30 day period. And then after that we work those comments in and send a package up the minister so he’s informed when he makes his decision.”

The minister could be in a position to make a final decision within a few months, Brady said.

However, even with the permits, construction won’t happen until the financing comes through.

“Simultaneous to the ongoing completion of project approval and permitting, Shore is in pursuit of development capital on a number of fronts,” Reed said.

Bbosker@panow.com

Twitter: @brentbosker