The Newfoundland and Labrador department of environment and conservation announced this week it has released from further assessment a road construction project proposed by the Iron Ore Company of Canada in western Labrador.

"An Environmental Protection Plan must be submitted for the minister’s approval prior to the commencement of construction activities and must address, among other things, caribou mitigation, measures to protect fish and fish habitat and water bodies," the province stated in an environmental assessment bulletin posted Thursday to its website.

On April 20, Iron Ore Co. submitted a proposal to construct 34 kilometres of roads in 2012 and 2013 in order to facilitate diamond mining. The firm, which is operated by its major shareholder, Rio Tinto Group, operates a mine, concentrator and pelletizing plant in Labrador City, near the Quebec border.

If approved the work would include new road, culvert and bridge construction.

Source - www.dcnonl.com

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