From: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine Project, Pic River, Marathon Township Municipality

April 29, 2010 (Updated July 19, 2010)

Marathon, ON  — Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Transport Canada are required to ensure that a comprehensive study is conducted commencing on April 16, 2010 in relation to the development proposal: Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine Project, Pic River, Marathon Township Municipality.

On July 12, 2010, a series of amendments to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act came into force. As part of these amendments, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is playing an enhanced role in the environmental assessment of this project as it will perform the duties and functions of the responsible authority in relation to this project until the submission of the comprehensive study report to the Minister of the Environment.

At this time, the Agency is awaiting further information from the proponent necessary to proceed with the environmental assessment.

The Agency has posted a notice on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry advising of its intention to conduct public consultation on the Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine Project and the conduct of the comprehensive study once further information is received from the proponent.

Under section 5 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, an environmental assessment is required in relation to this project because Fisheries and Oceans Canada may issue a permit or license under paragraphs 36(5)(a) to (e), where the regulation made pursuant to those paragraphs contains a provision that limits the application of the regulation to a named site of the Fisheries Act, may issue a permit or license under subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act and may issue a permit or license under section 32 of the Fisheries Act; Natural Resources Canada may issue a permit or license under paragraph 7(1)(a) of the Explosives Act and Transport Canada may issue an approval under section 5 of the Navigable Waters Protection Act.

This project is also subject to the environmental assessment requirements of the Government of Ontario.

As per the Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects, this environmental assessment has been identified as a major natural resource project. For additional information refer to the Major Projects Management Office’s Tracker, designed to track and monitor the progress of major resource projects through the federal regulatory system.

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine Project
Amy Liu, Project Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
55 St. Clair Ave. East, Suite 907
Toronto  ON  M4T 1M2
Telephone: 416-952-1576 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              416-952-1576      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 416-952-1573
Email: MarathonPGM-Cu.EA@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

and refer to CEAR reference number 10-03-54755