It's easy to get answers to the misleading information that some like coalbad keep posting here.
Just click on the following link and you'll see that Compliance is working closely with First Nations who have already been employed in this early stage and studies have been and are continuing on effects to the environment and the shellfish industry.
You'll see that Compliance has already made some adjustments so as not to effect the ground and surface water near the Cowie Creek Watershed.
Don't get fooled by these misleading posters. If you don't believe what CEC is posting publicly on their Raven Project site, just call or write them or better yet, attend the public comment periods that will be upcoming when the formal application is submitted in the very near future. JMO
The Raven Project team is committed to working closely with First Nations, governments and communities to develop a project that leaves a positive social and environmental legacy in Port Alberni and the Comox Valley.
We welcome the emails, letters and messages we’ve received and value the dialogue in the community. To reach the Project Information Line please call: 250-830-7346.
To help increase understanding of the proposed project, here are answers to some of the questions we’ve been asked most often:
The Environmental Assessment Process
Where is the proposed project in the environmental assessment process?
The proposed project is in the pre-application stages of a coordinated environmental assessment process. The public comment period for the project’s draft Application Information Requirements/Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines document was held in May and June, 2011, followed by a public comment period on the project’s Public Comment Tracking Table in November, 2011.
Next, the public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the project’s applications for a provincial Environmental Assessment Certificate and federal environmental assessment approval.
Click here for the Raven Project’s timeline for environmental assessment.
Will rail be included in the applications for a provincial Environmental Assessment Certificate and federal environmental assessment approval?
The preferred transportation method is by truck, although transporting coal by rail to Port Alberni is an alternative that will be analyzed in the applications. Transporting coal by rail to Port Alberni would require significant upgrading of the rail line between Buckley Bay and Port Alberni.
Link to Raven Project on EAO website
Link to Raven on CEA Agency website
Public Comment Period
Click here to view the EAO’s Public Comment Posting Policy.
What is the Public Comment Tracking Table?
The Public Comment Tracking Table contains all public comments received during the May 18 to June 27, 2011 Public Comment Period on the proposed Raven Project’s draft Application Information Requirements/Environmental Impact Statement (AIR/EIS) Guidelines document. Each comment in the Tracking Table has been responded to by independent environmental consultants.
Click here to view the Public Comment Tracking Table.
How many comments were received during the draft AIR/EIS Guidelines document public comment period?
In total, 2,998 submissions (online forms, emails, faxes, or letters) were received during the May 18 to June 27, 2011 Public Comment Period on the Raven Project’s AIR/EIS Guidelines document. Of the total submissions received, about 350 commented specifically on the draft AIR/EIS Guidelines document. Both general comments and those specific to the draft AIR/EIS Guidelines document are addressed in the Public Comment Tracking Table.
What is the Tracking Table Public Comment Period?
The Tracking Table Public Comment Period provided an opportunity for the public to comment on the responses included in the Raven Project’s Public Comment Tracking Table. The Tracking Table Public Comment Period was from November 15, 2011 to November 29, 2011.
Will there be additional public comment periods?
The project is currently in the pre-application stage of a comprehensive, multi-year environmental assessment process. The public will also have an opportunity to review and comment on the Raven Project’s applications for a provincial Environmental Assessment Certificate and federal environmental assessment approval.
Check back here for updates and announcements.
Port Operations
Will coal dust from the Port impact the quality of life for local Port Alberni residents?
The Port Alberni Port will be the first in Western Canada to have a fully covered storage facility. This will reduce or eliminate coal dust at the Port.
Will coal trucks be washed at the Port?
No. Trucks will not be washed at the Port.
Will there be an environmental assessment of the proposed Port Alberni Port expansion?
Yes. The federal government will conduct an environmental assessment of the Port expansion as part of its environmental review of the project. AMEC Earth and Environmental is collecting baseline research to identify current marine, air and noise conditions at the Port. This information will be used to protect environmental values.
Metallurgical Coal
Will the Raven Project produce metallurgical coal?
Coal quality testing, completed by GWIL Industries in Calgary Alberta, and SGS North America Inc. in West Virginia USA, confirms up to 88% of the coal produced from the proposed Raven Project will be metallurgical coal that is suitable for steel-making.
What is metallurgical coal, and what would it be used for?
Metallurgical or “steel-making” coal is required to produced steel. Steel is essential to modern civilization. It is integral to the production of food, delivery of clean water and provision of housing and transportation. Homes, businesses, vehicles, recreation and industries all require steel.
Employment
Would the proposed project provide local employment?
The project has already contributed more than $8 million to the local economy and contracted local suppliers and equipment.
New studies indicate the project will create 200 construction jobs, 350 well-paying, full-time mine, port and transportation jobs and up to 400 indirect jobs. Up to 50 of those jobs would be in transportation, including truck driving. Nine First Nations members have already received employment with the Raven project.
The average salary in the mining industry is more than $100,000 per year, including benefits. The project expects to pay out about $30 to $35 million in local and direct salaries and wages.
For more information click here.
Transportation
How would coal be transported?
The project has considered transporting the coal to one of three port options: Middle Point in Campbell River, Duke Point in Nanaimo, and Port Alberni. Following initial review of transportation options, Port Alberni has emerged as the preferred port option due to its available facilities, proximity to markets, environmental considerations, and accessibility by either road or rail. Further studies are required to confirm this option best meets the needs of the project.
Would the coal be transported by road or rail?
The preferred transportation method is by truck, although transporting coal by rail to Port Alberni is still an alternative if the public prefers it and it is cost competitive to trucking. Transporting coal by rail to Port Alberni would require significant upgrading of the rail line between Buckley Bay and Port Alberni.
How many trucks will travel from the mine site to Port Alberni?
Recent studies indicate two to threee truckloads per hour would be required to transport coal to the Port at Port Alberni. This is down from earlier estimates, and is based on expected mine production of 0.7 to 1.1 million tonnes of processed coal per year.
Ground and Surface Water
Will the proposed project impact ground and surface water?
The project team will develop the project in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. Engineers and independent consultants are conducting technical and environmental assessments to identify what needs to be done to protect surface and ground water. The results of these assessments will be made available for public review when completed.
What watershed is the proposed project located within?
The proposed project surface infrastructure is located within the Cowie Creek Watershed.
Will there be any impacts to the Tsable River watershed?
There are no surface facilities located in the Tsable River Watershed. Following input from the community, the original surface facilities location was relocated away from the Tsable River Watershed. The project plan to use an existing industrial road for transportation through the watershed.
The Baynes Sound Shellfishery
Will the proposed project effect shellfish and salmon in Baynes Sound?
No. The project will be designed and managed to protect shellfish, salmon and other aquatic species. This is required by provincial and federal law.
Quality of Life
Will coal dust impact the quality of life for local residents?
The project team will work closely with the community to minimize or eliminate potential impacts from coal dust. All coal transportation trucks will be covered , coal storage and transport at the Port will be covered to minimize dust and air quality will be monitored throughout the project. For more information see our Quality of Life page.
Will the quality of life for local residents be impacted?
The project team will develop the project in a socially and environmentally responsible manner and will work closely with the community as it develops plans to reduce or eliminate potential project impacts. Dust, water and noise levels will be monitored throughout the project, as part of the environmental management plan.
Would you see the mine from Fanny Bay?
The proposed mine site is located in a valley behind a ridge. Visual and aesthetic modeling is underway to ensure potential effects on the local landscape are identified. Appropriate mitigation measures will be provided if required.
Community Participation
What opportunities will there be for community input?
Opportunities for community input will be provided at every stage of the project and considerations and interests raised by the community will be incorporated into the planning and design of the project.
The project has already hosted open houses in Fanny Bay and Port Alberni and a series of public meetings were held in the area. The Public Comment Period on the Raven Project’s Public Comment Tracking Table ran from November 15, 2011 to November 29, 2011.
Please watch for more public comment periods as the Raven Project moves through the phases of the environmental assessment process.
Click here for the Raven Project’s timeline for environmental assessment.
Coal Washing
What is “coal washing”?
Coal washing refers to the process of separating dirt and non-coal rock material from the coal. This is a water-based process that does not use toxic chemicals.
How much water would be required for coal washing?
It is estimated that 330 to 490 cubic metres of water will be used per day for coal washing. This is equivalent to the amount of water a medium to large hotel uses in an average day.
How will the environment be protected from the coal washing process?
Almost all the water used in the coal washing process (about 99%) is expected to be recycled. Any water released will meet or be better than government water quality standards. A comprehensive water management plan will be implemented to safely and efficiently manage all water requirements.
Coal Mining
What method would be used to remove the coal?
Coal would be mined underground, using the room-and-pillar method, which means coal deposits are mined by cutting a network of small rooms into the coal seam. There would be minimal impacts to the ground surface area above the mine area. Room-and-pillar mining is a safe and effective mining method that is widely used in Canada and the United States, and is particularly well-suited to geologies such as the Raven Project.
What is “waste rock”?
Waste rock refers to the rock that is left over after the coal has been removed.The waste is stored on the mine site in a pile. Compliance is required by law to develop a reclamation and closure plan and bonding to reclaim all areas including reject piles.The reject piles must meet stringent government standards to ensure no long term impacts to the environment.
What is a “settling pond”?
A settling pond is a man-made pond used during mining operations to catch and retain dirt and sediment from coal washing and site run-off so that it is not released to surrounding streams and rivers.
Any water that is released will meet or be better than government water quality standards.
Reclamation and Closure
Is there a reclamation or closure plan in place?
Land reclamation is a requirement of modern day mining. At every step of the mining process, from exploration to decommissioning, environmental regulations require that land is returned to a productive state. As part of the provincial government environmental approval process, the project is required to develop a ’reclamation and closure plan’ detailing site remediation at the end of the project. In addition, the project is also required to post a closure bond, to ensure sufficient funds will always be available to complete the reclamation and closure plan.
Community Benefits
Will there be any community benefits?
The project team is committed to maximizing economic and social benefits to the community. The Comox Valley has already benefitted from the exploration and planning work underway on the Raven Project. Ten First Nations members have been employed during exploration and baseline environmental assessments, and local contractors have been used for construction and exploration drilling. The project will require local suppliers and local contract services at every stage.
Other
How will extreme weather events factor into the water studies currently underway?
Climate and meteorology studies take extreme weather events into consideration. Environmental consultants are collecting and analyzing wind, temperature and precipitation data that has been recorded since 2001 at the University of British Columbia meteorological station, just north of the Tsable River. This data will be correlated with climate data that has been collected at the Comox airport since 1971 and used to create a site-specific weather summary and model of weather conditions.
What would be the impact of a major seismic event?
The project will be designed to withstand major seismic events. This is required by federal and provincial regulations.