Grassy Mountain Coal Project — Establishment of Joint Review Panel

August 16, 2018 — Ottawa — Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Mr. Jim Ellis, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta Energy Regulator, announced today the establishment of a three-member Joint Review Panel to review Benga Mining Limited's proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project, located in southwest Alberta.

Mr. Alex Bolton has been appointed as the Chair of the Joint Review Panel. Mr. Hans Matthews and Mr. Dean O'Gorman have been appointed as members of the Joint Review Panel.

The Joint Review Panel Agreement signed by Minister McKenna and Mr. Ellis establishes the mandate and terms of reference of the Joint Review Panel, its composition, as well as the procedures and timelines of the review.

Under the Agreement, the Joint Review Panel will conduct a review of the potential environmental effects of the project, consider mitigation measures, determine whether the project is likely to cause significant adverse enviromental effects, and identify any follow-up programs required.

As a next step, the Joint Review Panel must hold a public comment period on the Environmental Impact Statement. After considering the comments received, the Panel will determine whether it has sufficient information to proceed to the public hearing.