First Nations voice concerns over Jackpine mine development

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation joined environmental groups in submitting comments to the Joint Review Panel considering the adequacy of Shell’s proposed Jackpine mine expansion application and Environmental Impact Assessment. Closing date for submissions was mid-December 2011. Once the panel is satisfied information is adequate it will announce details of the public hearing, including dates, location, and any pre-hearing process. Those hearings are expected to begin in 2012. “We are rightfully concerned about how Shell’s proposed Jackpine Mine Expansion Project will impact and infringe our section 35 rights. It’s clear Shell’s current application does not include enough information for the JRP to appropriately assess potential impacts on our rights,” said Chief Allan Adam of ACFN in a news release. ACFN and MCFN’s concerns regarding Shell’s EIA and proposal are echoed by groups like Sierra Club Prairie and the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition, who also put forward submissions outlining serious flaws in Shell’s EIA.