Business Reporter reported that Xstrata Coal Donkin Management Ltd has submitted its plan to reopen the Donkin mine for environmental assessment.

Mr Peter Akerley president of Erdene Resource Development Corp., said “The (environmental impact statement) document is being filed today along with the commencement of a 60 day (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency) public review period, keeping the project on track for full environmental approval anticipated in mid-2013.”

The Cape Breton mine project is expected to have a lifespan of 30 or more years and extract approximately 3.6 million tonnes of coal annually.

Along with underground mining, the project includes a coal preparation plant, a 138-kilovolt power line from Victoria Junction to the project site, waste disposal and water treatment infrastructure, and a barge facility to transport coal to a trans-shipment mooring.

Dartmouth based Erdene holds a 25% interest in Xstrata Coal Donkin Management Ltd. Australia based Xstrata Coal, a subsidiary of Swiss based mining giant Xstrata plc, announced in April it was seeking a buyer for its 75% stake in the project.

Source - Business Reporter

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