The lithium mine project located about 100 kilometers east of James Bay and the Cree community of Eastmain has obtained the green light from Ottawa to go ahead, but must still obtain that of Quebec.
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The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, judged that the environmental mitigation measures for the project are satisfactory. However, it imposes 271 conditions.
These “include measures to protect fish and fish habitat, migratory birds and birds at risk, wetlands, woodland caribou, bats at risk, Cree health and current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by the Crees,” summarized a statement from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
The James Bay lithium mine project should include, among other things, an open pit mine and a tailings storage area. It is expected to produce an average of 5,480 tonnes of ore per day over a mine life of 15 to 20 years.
According to figures provided by the proponent, the project would require 280 workers during construction and an annual average of 167 employees during mine operation.
This project is also subject to a provincial environmental assessment. Quebec is still in the process.