Government of Canada approves James Bay Lithium Mine project
by CM staff
Based on the Environmental Assessment Report, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, has determined that the project's environmental mitigation measures provide a sustainable path for the project to proceed.
OTTAWA — The James Bay Lithium Mine Project is located about 100 kilometres east of James Bay and the Eastmain Cree Community in Quebec, and will produce lithium needed for clean technology like electric vehicle batteries and solar panels. The project will create hundreds of local jobs and local economic growth.
The James Bay project has been subject to a thorough review process conducted by a Joint Assessment Committee consisting of representatives from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) and the Cree Nation Government. Based on the Environmental Assessment Report, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, has determined that the project’s environmental mitigation measures provide a sustainable path for the project to proceed.
“This is what a good project is all about,” said Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “Critical minerals are one of the keys to building Canada’s low-carbon economy and ensuring economic prosperity for years to come. We can only develop those resources by designing from the outset with strong mitigation measures to protect the environment and working in true partnership with Indigenous Peoples. Our future depends on sustainable projects like this one.”
The project may now proceed, subject to oversight throughout its lifecycle. In his Decision Statement, the Minister sets out legally-binding conditions Galaxy Lithium (Canada) Inc. (the proponent) must comply with throughout the life of the project. These 271 conditions include measures to protect fish and fish habitat, migratory birds and birds at risk, wetlands, woodland caribou, bats at risk, Cree health and the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by the Crees.
For example, to protect the health of the Cree Nations, the proponent must develop a program to ensure the traditional food source of their communities remains safe for consumption. The proponent must monitor the quality of meat sourced from local game, including collecting samples and testing at least every five years. The program would be developed in collaboration with the Cree Nations, the Cree Nation Government, the local tallyman (trap line manager) and the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay.
“This is an important decision for Canada. The James Bay Lithium Mine Project will produce a key ingredient of clean technology like electric vehicle batteries and solar panels,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources. “The government is committed to making Canada the global supplier of choice for sustainably and responsibly sourced critical minerals, from exploration and extraction, to manufacturing and recycling, while also fostering mutually beneficial relationships between industry and Indigenous Peoples. Through the recently released Critical Minerals Strategy, we are supporting responsible and sustainable critical mineral development, to create good jobs, lower emissions, and build the low-carbon economy.”
