Pierre River Mine Project

TERRESTRIAL AENV SIRS 44 – 78
Section 13.1
57a With respect to the assertion that the Pierre River mine strikes a balance, how
was this determined?
Response 57a For information regarding the manner in which Shell makes determinations about
how the Pierre River Mine strikes a balance between resource recovery and
potential environmental impacts, see the response to AENV SIR 52. As stated in
that response, Shell has prepared an EIA that makes environmental impact
predictions based on environmental consequence ratings. These consequence
ratings are based on the criteria outlined by the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Act and include direction, magnitude, geographic extent, duration,
reversibility and frequency. All of these ratings are described in the EIA,
Volumes 3, 4 and 5. In addition, as part of the May 2009 Pierre River Mine,
Supplemental Information, Volume 2, Appendix B, Shell provided an
Environmental Significance Assessment.
In addition to the detailed environmental consequence ratings outlined
previously, Shell’s Sustainable Development policy also guides Shell’s plans
when assessing large projects such as this. This is particularly important in the
case of large-scale mining projects, which necessarily involve some impacts on
the environment during construction and operations. This project has been
developed with a view toward reducing its environmental impacts, where
possible, the efficient management of natural resources, the generation of
profitability, and the clear need to provide social and economic benefits on a
local, provincial and federal level. Shell’s view is that the predicted
environmental impacts of the Pierre River Mine and Jackpine Mine Expansion
projects are acceptable, when considered in light of these sustainable
development principles and Shell’s obligation to efficiently produce the oil sands
resource for the benefit of all Albertans.
Although the portion of the Pierre River located in the operational footprint of
the Pierre River Mine will be affected during construction and operation, these
effects will be mitigated by implementing Shell’s operational and closure
drainage plans. Accordingly, Shell considered the loss of the Pierre River during
construction and operation in conjunction with the implementation of operational
and closure drainage plans, and determined that the Pierre River Mine, as applied
for, achieved a balance between impacts and resource recovery.
Request 57b What are the criteria Shell used to assess whether this was a balanced decision?
Response 57b See the response to AENV SIR 57a.
Request 57c How was the loss of the Pierre River on the lease area accounted for in this
decision?
Response 57c See the response to AENV SIR 57a.
13-20 Shell Canada Limited April 2010
CR029