Barging in
Approval for mine’s plans to barge Donkin coal date back to 2013
The federal approval of the plan to barge coal from the Donkin mine dates back to 2013 when the project was still under its former lead partner Xstrata.
In July 2013, former federal Environment Minister Peter Kent signed off on the project, including its proposal to transport coal by barge. The proposal was reviewed under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the supporting documents remain available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency website.
The agency noted at the time that Kent had considered the comprehensive study report and public and Aboriginal comments filed and found that the overall project, taking into account mitigation measures, was not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.
Last week, Donkin mine officials informed local fishermen that they intend to move ahead with barging coal, stoking concerns about the potential impact on the area’s fishery. During the meeting with fishermen, Shannon Campbell, vice-president of Donkin mine, said moving coal by barge is half the cost of rail and the required permits are in place. Geotechnical testing will take place to ensure the seafloor is suitable for the project and it’s hoped the design process will start in the fall with construction in the new year.
In 2014 and early 2015, Cline Group LLC gained full control of the Donkin mine after purchasing a 75 per cent majority stake in the operation from Glencore Xstrata PLC and 25 per cent interest from Morien Resources Corp.
The environmental impact statement prepared for Xstrata by consultant Stantec noted that the barge load-out facility would consist of a breakwater, new wharf and mooring point. Using four 4,000-tonne coastal barges, the load-out facility would be located in six-metre-deep water and involves a nestled dock to protect the floating equipment and loading dock during high winds and waves, the project description states.
The document states that the barges are to be tugged an estimated 8.8 kilometres to a transshipment facility in deeper waters in Mira Bay where it the coal would be loaded onto bulk carriers for transport to international markets.
It states that while marine shipping was to be the primary method of coal transportation, but trucking for domestic customers and the Port of Sydney could occur if marine transportation proved to be impractical. Rail transportation was found to be less desirable due to higher capital and operating costs, which were estimated to be more than double the costs of the marine option.
The environmental impact statement notes that the potential effects on the marine environment include an adverse change in marine habitat and change in mortality risk as a result of the construction and ongoing operation of the barge load-out facility and transshipment mooring. The proponent was to prepare a habitat compensation plan in consultation with DFO, local fishers and the Mi’kmaq to offset the harmful changes to, disruption or destruction of fish habitat. It also noted that the project has the potential to deposit an undetermined amount of coal in the marine environment through loading and unloading processes at both the barge load-out facility and transshipment mooring and through the release of coal dust.
Among the mitigation measures outlines were a proposed breakwater to minimize the impact on marine habitat and habitat loss was to be compensated, where it can’t be avoided, by the rehabilitation of existing marine fish habitats or the creation of new habitats.
The statement noted that commercial and recreational fisheries are important to the area and through consultation, concerns were identified relating to potential gear damage, and displacement of fishermen.
It was also noted that increased vessel traffic during operations could interfere with fishing gear and fishing vessel navigation in the waters between the barge loadout facility and transshipment mooring.
Derek Mombourquette, Nova Scotia minister of Energy and Mines, said last week Nova Scotia Department of Environment granted two environmental assessment approvals, one of which was granted after a joint provincial federal review process was undertaken. The department also granted an industrial approval and a wetland alteration approval.