Selwyn mine's proposed road upgrade to get environmental review

SelwynChihongMining's proposed upgrade of a road to its lead-zincminingprojectinYukon'sSelwynMountains will undergoan environmental assessment.

Parks Canada officially requested the environmental assessment in a letter to Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board dated July 10.

The Howard's Pass Access Road, first developed in the1970s, runs79kilometres northwest from the Nahanni Range Road to the N.W.T.-Yukon border. Itgoes through two national parks, including theDehchoregion'sNahanniNational Park Reserve.

The mining company wants to convert thesingle lane roadinto a two-lane road capable of handling a steady stream of commercial vehicles, including trucks that will haul lead and zinc concentrates down to B.C.

Parks Canada saysthe road construction and mining traffic could have significant impacts on caribou,Dall'ssheep, mountain goats, grizzly bears and several other types of animals.

"The proposed development is in rugged terrain, resulting in a higher potential for spills and accidents near fish-bearing streams," JonathanTsetso, acting superintendent for theNahanniNational Park Reserve, wrote in the letter to the board.

Selwyn-Chihonghopes to begin the upgrading work in the summer of 2017 and wrap up the project by the fall of 2018. An environmental assessmenthas been factored into that timeline, the company said last week.

The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board will conduct the assessment.