Terms of Reference - Environment

Rio Tinto Canada Uranium Corporation

Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program

Environmental Impact Assessment

Terms of Reference

Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program EIA Terms of Reference Page 2

RR_Ad Ex _Terms_of_Reference_Final_Amended Final.docx October 2013

Terms of Reference

Table of Contents

Background ....................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 4 Requirement for Environmental Assessment ............................................................................. 6 Scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment ....................................................................... 6 Terms of Reference ................................................................................................................... 6 Use of External Data ................................................................................................................. 6

Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program EIS ............................................................ 7

Executive Summary .......................................................................................................... 7

Glossary of Terms & Definitions ...................................................................................... 7

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 8 1.1 General Program Overview ............................................................................................... 8 1.2 Need for Program .............................................................................................................. 8 1.3 Regulatory Context ............................................................................................................ 8

1.3.1 Environmental Impact Assessment Approval .......................................................................... 8 1.3.2 Operational Regulatory Oversight ........................................................................................... 8

1.4 EIS Organization ............................................................................................................... 9 1.5 Concurrence Table ............................................................................................................ 9

2 Program Overview ....................................................................................................... 9 2.1 Consideration of Alternatives ............................................................................................. 9 2.2 Program Description ........................................................................................................ 10 2.3 Ancillary Programs .......................................................................................................... 12 2.4 Program Schedule ........................................................................................................... 12 2.5 Management Plans, Inspections & Monitoring ................................................................. 13 2.6 Decommissioning, Reclamation and Institutional Control ................................................ 14

2.6.1 Conceptual Decommissioning Plan ...................................................................................... 14 2.6.2 Financial Assurance .............................................................................................................. 15 2.6.3 Custodial Transfer of Site to Provincial Institutional Control ................................................. 15

3 Program Boundaries .................................................................................................. 16 3.1 Spatial Boundaries .......................................................................................................... 16 3.2 Temporal Boundaries ...................................................................................................... 16

4 Environmental Assessment Approach .................................................................... 17 4.1 Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs) ......................................................................... 17

4.1.1 Bio-physical Valued Ecosystem Components ....................................................................... 17 4.1.2 Rare & Endangered Species ................................................................................................. 17 4.1.3 Traditional Valued Ecosystem Components (TVECs) .......................................................... 18 4.1.4 Socio-economic Valued Ecosystem Components ................................................................ 19 4.1.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 19

4.2 Existing Environment (Baseline) ...................................................................................... 19 4.3 Impact Assessment ......................................................................................................... 21



4.3.1 Environmental Assessment Methodology ............................................................................. 21 4.3.2 Ecological & Human Health Risk Assessment ...................................................................... 23 4.3.3 Program Specific Impacts ..................................................................................................... 24 4.3.4 Regional Impact Assessment ................................................................................................ 25 4.3.5 Cumulative Impact Assessment ............................................................................................ 25 4.3.6 Impacts of the Environment on the Program ......................................................................... 25 4.3.7 Contingency Plans ................................................................................................................ 25 4.3.8 Impact Mitigation ................................................................................................................... 25 4.3.9 Residual Impacts ................................................................................................................... 25 4.3.10 Monitoring of Predicted Impacts ............................................................................................ 26 4.3.11 Identification of Uncertainties ................................................................................................ 26

5 Public Participation and Consultation ..................................................................... 26 5.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 26 5.2 Principles ......................................................................................................................... 27 5.3 Identification of Primary Community Stakeholders ........................................................... 28 5.4 Community Engagement & Consultation Activities .......................................................... 28 5.5 Duty to Consult First Nations and Métis ........................................................................... 32

6 Conditions Management ........................................................................................... 32 6.1 Commitment Register ...................................................................................................... 32 6.2 Reporting and Follow-up ................................................................................................. 32

6.2.1 Reporting to Environmental Assessment Branch.................................................................. 33 6.2.2 Reporting to Other Government Agencies ............................................................................ 33 6.2.3 Content of Report .................................................................................................................. 33

7 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 33

8 References .................................................................................................................. 34

List of Tables Table 1 - Community Engagement & Consultation Activities to Date ............................................. 30

List of Figures Figure 1: Roughrider Location ......................................................................................................... 5

List of Appendices

Appendix A RTCU Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program - Environmental Impact Assessment -

Draft Table of Contents

Appendix B RTCU Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program – Consultation Plan



Background

Introduction

Rio Tinto Canada Uranium Corporation (RTCU) is seeking Ministerial Approval pursuant to the

Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment Act (Chapter E-10-1) to prepare the site, construct,

operate, decommission and reclaim the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program in the Athabasca

Basin, approximately 7 km north of Points North Landing, a service centre at the terminus of

Provincial Highway No. 905, approximately 440 km north of La Ronge (Figure 1).

In general terms, the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program being proposed will consist: of

upgrading approximately 7.5 km of an existing exploration trail (no new stream crossings required);

the development and operation of an exploration shaft and drifts to allow for exploration drilling (all

drifts will be developed in competent rock at least 20 meters away from the ore bodies); the

operation of appropriate underground and surface water management infrastructure; the operation of

a water treatment facility including settling and monitoring ponds and a treated effluent discharge;

the surface storage of a maximum of approximately 155,000 tonnes of development rock; the

temporary surface storage of a maximum of 38,750 tonnes of “special” (or “mineralized”)

development rock; and a limited amount of infrastructure to support these activities.

The Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program as proposed will not remove uranium mineralized

material from the orebodies, other than that extracted during exploration drilling (i.e. core samples),

nor will it mine, produce, refine, convert, enrich, process, reprocess, package, transport, manage,

store or dispose of a nuclear substance other than that acquired from exploration drilling (i.e. core

samples) and retained for the purposes of characterizing the ore and testing the material to

investigate processing options and characterize the resulting waste streams (tailings, tailings pore

water and effluent quality).

The Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program is an integral component of RTCU’s investigation

of the technical, environmental and commercial viability of developing the uranium deposits located

within the boundaries of its Roughrider mineral lease.

As a world leader in finding, mining and processing the Earth’s mineral resources, Rio Tinto

believes that excellence in environmental performance and stewardship is essential to our business

success. To that end, we believe that our planning and development must be based on a thorough

assessment of the effects of our activities in advance. In addition, certification of all applicable

activities to International Standards Organization (ISO) 14001 Environmental Management

standards is mandatory at all Rio Tinto operations.

In order to meet these principles, Rio Tinto believes that it must undertake a thorough environmental

and social impact assessment of any proposed development in order to systematically evaluate the



ecological, socio-economic and cultural aspects of the activity. We also believe that such an

assessment must be conducted in an open and transparent manner and in a manner that includes an

appropriate level of community, regulatory and public consultation, input and review.

Figure 1: Roughrider Location

Roughrider Site



Requirement for Environmental Assessment

On July 19, 2013, RTCU submitted the Advanced Exploration Technical Proposal – Roughrider

Property to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment (MOE), Environmental Assessment Branch

which proposed the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Roughrider Advanced

Exploration Program.

The Advanced Exploration Technical Proposal – Roughrider Property was submitted to MOE in

order to initiate the processes necessary to meet the requirements of section 9 of the Saskatchewan

Environmental Assessment Act in order to meet the principles noted in the Introduction.

Scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment

The EIA will consider all physical works and activities related to the Roughrider Advanced

Exploration Program during all stages of development, including site access and preparation,

facilities construction and commissioning, operations, decommissioning, reclamation, transition

phase monitoring and custodial transfer to the Provincial institutional control management

framework.

The EIS will contain a detailed description of the program as well as the result of bio-physical and

socio-economic baseline investigations conducted in order to present a comprehensive assessment of

the potential effects of the program and to design measures to mitigate, to the extent possible, the

identified effects.

Terms of Reference

This Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program Environmental Impact Assessment Terms of

Reference (TOR) has been prepared for the MOE in order to outline the specific studies that RTCU

has or proposes to undertake and the information to be obtained and how RTCU intends to conduct a

comprehensive EIA and prepare the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Use of External Data

Where external sources of information or data are used in preparing this TOR and during the

preparation of the environmental impact statement, RTCU will provide a citation at the point where

the information is presented and a complete reference at the end of the document. Where conclusions

are cited from other reports that are critical to the assessment of environmental impacts, RTCU will

provide sufficient detail within the EIS about the original data and analysis, so as to enable critical

review of the material. The EIS will be a stand-alone document upon which critical review can be

undertaken.

Engineering and geoscience work reported in the EIS (including groundwater studies) will comply

with the requirements of The Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act of Saskatchewan.



Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program EIS

Appendix A provides a preliminary draft Table of Contents for the RTCU Roughrider Advanced

Exploration Program - Environmental Impact Statement. The following provides a summary of

major aspects which will be fully addressed in the EIS.

Executive Summary

An Executive Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be provided which briefly

summarizes and cross-references the EIS under the following topic areas:

Program proponent and contact information;

Description of the program;

Environmental effects of the program, including potential spills/malfunctions/accidents;

Any cumulative environmental effects that are likely to result from the program in

combination with other programs or activities that have been or will be carried out in the

area;

Technically and economically feasible mitigation measures;

Identification of uncertainties in regards to the program elements and/or environmental

impacts of the program, including those of a chemical, physical, and/or radiological nature;

Significance of the environmental impacts;

Need for, and the requirements of, any follow-up program in respect of the program;

Productivity of renewable resources that are likely to be significantly affected by the

program; and

Comments from the public and RTCU’s responses.

The Executive Summary, which will be under separate cover, will avoid the use of technical terms

and jargon. To enhance involvement of northern Saskatchewan residents, First Nations and Métis in

the public participation process, the executive summary will be translated into Cree and Dene, and

made accessible in video or audio form.

Glossary of Terms & Definitions

The EIS will include a glossary of terms, definitions and acronyms used within the document in

order to provide clarity and consistency for individual reviewers.



1 Introduction

1.1 General Program Overview

This section of the EIS will provide a general overview of the proposed Roughrider Advanced

Exploration Program and include, but not necessarily be limited to:

Program proponent;

Program location;

A general description of the scope of the program; and

Program schedule

1.2 Need for Program

The rational or “need” for the program will be fully described in the EIS as will the benefits (i.e.

what is to be achieved) of carrying out the program as proposed.

1.3 Regulatory Context

1.3.1 Environmental Impact Assessment Approval

This section of the EIS will provide an overview of the environmental impact assessment approval

process as it relates to the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program.

1.3.2 Operational Regulatory Oversight

Under this section of the EIS, RTCU will provide a list of relevant federal and provincial

departments/agencies with regulatory oversight of the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program as

well as a listing of the relevant provincial and federal relevant Acts, regulations, guidelines,

approvals and permits that will oversee and regulate all phases of the program assuming it is issued a

positive Ministerial Decision pursuant to the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment Act. This will

include, as a minimum, all permits and approvals required to:

Access and prepare the site and any required ancillary projects (e.g. borrow areas, etc.)

including any required permits to allow for aquatic habitat alteration;

Access other non-mineral resources (i.e. surface waters, groundwater, sand and/or gravel,

etc.);

Construct and commission all required facilities, including water sourcing, sewage and

potable water works;

Operate all advanced exploration facilities, including water treatment, sewage and potable

water works;

Decommission and reclaim all facilities;

Conduct transitional phase monitoring; and

Achieve custodial transfer of the reclaimed property to the Institutional Control of the

Province of Saskatchewan.



The EIS will also include any letters of approval that may have been issued by government agencies

for the program.

1.4 EIS Organization

This section of the EIS will provide a description of how the EIS and its appendices are organized.

RTCU recognizes that the audience for the EIS will include a wide range of regulatory agencies as

well as members of the general public and northern First Nations and Métis peoples. As such, RTCU

is committed to ensuring that the EIS is well organized, written in easily understood language, and in

a manner that does not require the reviewer to have a previous knowledge of the program, the bio-

physical and socio-economic environment in which the program is proposed or of the methods of

conducting the assessment of potential environmental impacts.

1.5 Concurrence Table

The EIS will also contain a copy of these Terms of Reference (TOR) and a clear and concise

“concurrence table” that cross references the specific commitments contained in this TOR with the

corresponding section and page within the EIS.

2 Program Overview

2.1 Consideration of Alternatives

One of the purposes of undertaking an environmental assessment is to determine whether there are

alternative means of carrying out the program which could meet the program objectives, but would

be preferable from environmental or other considerations. Therefore, it is important to consider

various alternatives early in the planning process and to provide a comparison of each on the basis of

both economic and environmental merit.

Alternative means of completing the program are defined as the various technically and

economically feasible ways that the program can be implemented.

Under this section of the EIS, RTCU commits to providing a description of the alternatives

considered for the program as a whole and for specific aspects of the proposed. This will include, but

not necessarily be limited to:

A brief description of how local stakeholders and tradition users of the area were engaged

during program planning in the identification of issues/concerns and the identification of

preferred alternatives (options) for various aspects of the program;

A brief description of potential program alternatives considered;

Key issues in considering and evaluating the program alternatives;

Analysis of the program alternatives that are technically and economically feasible; and,

Justification of the selection of the preferred alternative.



2.2 Program Description

RTCU will provide, in the EIS, a clear and detailed description of the proposed program. This will

include a description of all phases of the program, from planning through site access and preparation,

construction, operation, decommissioning, reclamation, transition phase monitoring to the custodial

transfer of the property into the Province’s institutional control management framework.

Specifically, the program description will:

Provide the company profile, name of the legal entity, program contact person and mailing

address.

Identify the location of the proposed program (i.e., coordinates of the site) and provide maps

identifying both the program study areas (site, local and regional) and the local study area in

relation to nearby communities. Other past, present or reasonably foreseeable future projects

carried out or proposed in the foreseeable future in the study areas will also be identified.

Provide appropriately scaled maps and/or drawings of the proposed program specific aspects

and activities. All maps submitted with the EIS will include a graphic scale, north arrow and

a legend. A GIS shapefile, in NAD83 datum Zone 13, of the program’s spatial boundaries

will be included with the digital submission.

Provide details on various tenure issues including, surface tenure (i.e. related to the access

road, Roughrider site and any borrow areas required for development, construction and

operations) and the mineral tenure.

A description of historical activities on the Roughrider properties and a summary of current

site conditions.

Describe all on-site components, on-site and off-site infrastructure and other facilities

associated with the proposed program. This will include, but not necessarily be limited to:

Site Plan

Shaft & drift development

Underground water management

Ventilation

Underground equipment

Development rock management

Volume estimates

Clean rock management

Mineralized rock management

Rock management area construction and management

Underground exploration program



Drilling

Sample management

Support Infrastructure

Explosives magazine

Dry & Administration

Electricity

Concrete batch plant

Freeze plant

Hazardous substance storage & use

Site fuel storage & management

Site lubricants and coolants

Water treatment chemicals

Site Water Management

Freshwater source, withdrawal volume & use

Site runoff (storm) management

Site water recycling

Site water treatment

Water management facilities (including all necessary pipelines,

ponds, and leak detection measures to be employed)

Treated effluent volumes

Treated effluent quality

Treated effluent discharge location

Water treatment by-product management

Site wide water balance

Site air emissions

Waste management

Waste dangerous goods management, storage & disposal

Roughrider site sewage and wash water management

Camp sewage and wash water management

Domestic solid waste management and disposal

Industrial waste

Conventional waste management and disposal

Radiological waste management and disposal

Associated Infrastructure

Access Road

Accommodations (Camp)



Transportation infrastructure

Health, Safety & Environment Quality Management

Conventional Health & Safety;

Environmental Management Program, including, but not necessarily

limited to:

Surface and groundwater monitoring programs;

Sediment monitoring programs;

Fish tissue monitoring programs;

Air quality monitoring programs; and

Terrestrial species monitoring programs

Radiation Protection Program

Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan

Upset Conditions

Malfunctions or Accidents

Spill Response & Management

Describe all activities associated with site preparation, construction, operations,

decommissioning and reclamation of the proposed program, provide figures illustrating the

magnitude of the identified activities and describe all relevant regulatory limitations

applicable to the location and operation of program facilities.

Describe the benefits of the program, including jobs created, local training, employment and

business opportunities.

2.3 Ancillary Programs

Ancillary projects generally include any associated or related projects whose planning, construction

and/or operation are outside the scope of the technical proposal and may be proposed by another

proponent (e.g., borrow pits, roads, treatment plants, water supply).

Within this section of the EIS, RTCU commits to providing a general description of each ancillary

project (if any such projects are identified during the EIA) anticipated as a result of the proposed

development. In the EIS, RTCU will also provide a summary of the major social, economic and

environmental implications resulting from the ancillary project.

2.4 Program Schedule

The distinct phases of the program will be fully described in the EIS and an anticipated timeline for

each phases provided. Phases will include, site preparation, construction, operations,

decommissioning and reclamation, transitional phase monitoring and custodial transfer of the site to

the institutional control of the Province.



2.5 Management Plans, Inspections & Monitoring

The EIS will also provide a description of various management plans which will be developed and

implemented prior to the construction and/or operations of the Roughrider Advanced Exploration

Program. This will include, but not necessarily be limited to:

Rare Plant Management Plan;

Re-vegetation Plan;

Weed Prevention and Control Plan;

Erosion & Sediment Control Plan;

Fire Control Plan;

Biodiversity Action Plan;

Caribou Management Plan; and a

Traffic Management Plan.

Should the program receive approval to proceed pursuant to the Environmental Assessment Act,

RTCU will prepare and submit to the Ministry of Environment the required applications to construct

the various facilities at the site. Those applications will, at minimum, provide detailed design and

operational aspects as well as propose the location and frequency of regular environmental

inspections, monitoring and reporting requirements related to each of the facilities.

The EIS will outline the likely type and extent of such programs and will include details on programs

such as the anticipated:

Geotechnical monitoring program;

Hydrogeological monitoring program including underground inflows (quality and quantity)

and monitoring water levels and water quality of strategically installed piezometers

throughout the site;

Environmental Management Program – Inspection locations and frequency, monitoring

locations, frequency and parameters;

o Visual inspections of pollutant control and secondary containment facilities

o Water quality monitoring

Surface waters

Groundwater

o Sediment monitoring

o Fish tissue monitoring

o Air quality monitoring

Radon concentrations

Suspended Particulate Matter

Radiological Management Program;

o Radon levels

o Exposure monitoring

Monitoring during decommissioning and reclamation activities; and



Post–decommissioning and reclamation monitoring.

The EIS will also discuss monitoring programs specifically designed to address uncertainties

identified during the environmental impact assessment.

2.6 Decommissioning, Reclamation and Institutional Control

Although the detailed plans for decommissioning, reclamation, custodial transfer and associated

financial assurance requirements will be developed in consultation with regulatory agencies during

the regulatory permitting and approval process, the EIS will provide descriptions of the key elements

of these plans.

In all decommissioning and reclamation activities, RTCU intends to adhere to:

1. The design criteria and objectives specified by MOE’s Guidelines for Northern Mine

Decommissioning and Reclamation (November 30, 2008 – Version 6)

2. Environment Canada’s Environmental Code of Practice for Metal Mines (2009); and,

3. Industry Best Management Practices (BMP).

In addition, the EIS will commit RTCU to maximizing opportunities to recycle and reuse materials

wherever possible as this will serve to reduce the total amount of material that will have to be

disposed of during decommissioning and reclamation activities.

Furthermore, the EIS will discuss the potential to implement passive decommissioning and

reclamation strategies wherever possible at the site. The intent of this strategy is to minimize, to the

extent possible, the use of engineered containment structures during closure as such engineered

facilities will likely require long term care and maintenance.

2.6.1 Conceptual Decommissioning Plan

The EIS will describe conceptual decommissioning plans for the Roughrider Advanced Exploration

Program site and related infrastructure. The EIS will focus on:

Decommissioning objectives including post-closure land use and, if necessary, land use

restrictions;

Alternative procedures for decommissioning site facilities;

Preferred procedures for decommissioning;

Decommissioning, reclamation and abandonment of all related works and surface

disturbance;

Identification of acceptable post-operational land use options for the program site;

Environmental mitigation and reclamation measures e.g., contouring, waste stabilization and

re-vegetation;

Post-operational landforms and drainage systems;

Comprehensive record keeping of all decommissioning and reclamation activities; and



Proposed contingency measures in the event of unanticipated excursions from the predicted

post decommissioning and reclamation criteria or conditions.

The plan will address potential post-decommissioning contaminant loadings and impacts to local

surface drainage and groundwater systems. The plan will also identify, to the extent possible:

Environmental impacts which can be mitigated by post-decommissioning procedures;

Impacts which cannot be mitigated as these impacts may constituting irretrievable

environmental losses accruing to the province and to future generations; and

Any potential opportunities for environmental and/or biodiversity enhancement during

decommissioning and reclamation.

2.6.2 Financial Assurance

If the program is approved, prior to the initiation of the Advanced Exploration Program, RTCU will

develop a comprehensive Conceptual Decommissioning and Reclamation Plan and estimate of

associated costs for all aspects of the plan. The Conceptual Decommissioning and Reclamation Plan

and cost estimates will then be submitted to the Ministry of Environment for review and approval.

Once approval of the Conceptual Operational Decommissioning and Reclamation Plan and

associated cost estimates is received from the Ministry of Environment, RTCU will establish a

financial assurance fund to cover the cost of decommissioning and reclamation in an amount and

form approved by the Minister and the requirements of The Mineral Industry Environmental

Protection Regulations, 1996.

2.6.3 Custodial Transfer of Site to Provincial Institutional Control

The EIS will include proposed criteria for the eventual custodial transfer of the program site (i.e.

decommissioning and reclamation “end-point” criteria) and make commitments for the

transition phase monitoring to demonstrate chemical and physical stability at the site and that the

decommissioning and reclamation activities were successful. Only after these conditions are met

to the satisfaction of the appropriate regulatory agencies will an application for custodial transfer

to the provincial intuitional control be made.

Provisions for the long-term institutional control of the site will also be discussed in the EIS,

including, but not necessarily limited to:

Record keeping or archiving that fully describes past operations, decommissioning plans

and assessments, the location of significant features, final configurations, and release

verification;

Post-abandonment site monitoring and verification;

Need for passive site management;

Land controls; and

Long term financial liabilities for monitoring, care, and maintenance, or contingency

remediation.



3 Program Boundaries

In conducting the EIA and preparing the EIS, RTCU commits to defining the program’s spatial and

temporal boundaries, taking into account appropriate ecological, technical, social and cultural

considerations.

3.1 Spatial Boundaries

In the EIS, the spatial boundaries will reflect the geographic range over which the program’s

environmental impacts may occur. It is expected that the spatial boundaries may vary for each

environmental component, depending on the nature of the predicted effects. When establishing

spatial boundaries, RTCU will consider all relevant components of the environment, including

people, biota (including rare and endangered species) land, water, aquatic macrophytes and

sediments, air and other relevant aspects of the natural and human environment (i.e. traditional use

plants, areas of cultural significance, etc.).

The following spatial boundaries will be defined in the EIS:

1. Site Study Area – This will include the area where the physical construction and operation

of the program will take place, including access roads and other required off-site

infrastructure during site preparation, construction, operation, decommissioning and

reclamation.

2. Local Study Area – This will include the area existing outside of the site study area

boundary where there is a reasonable potential for the occurrence of direct environmental

impacts from the program.

3. Regional Study Area – This will include the area where there is reasonable potential for

indirect and/or cumulative impacts to occur on any and all environmental component.

3.2 Temporal Boundaries

The temporal boundaries defined in the EIS will specify the period of time over which the program-

specific and cumulative impacts are to be considered. Temporal boundaries will, at a minimum,

consider:

Site preparation activities;

Construction;

Operations;

Decommissioning & reclamation;

Transitional phase monitoring of the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program; and

Post-closure custodial transfer to Provincial institutional control.



4 Environmental Assessment Approach

4.1 Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs)

Valued ecosystem components (VECs) are environmental attributes identified as having a legal,

scientific, cultural, economic or aesthetic value.

VECs have the potential to be affected by the program and be susceptible to change as a result of

program-related activities. This includes the potential for cumulative effects on the VEC in

conjunction with other past, present or reasonably foreseeable future projects or activities in the area.

VECs also provide a common basis that underlies the environmental baseline studies conducted in

support of an environmental impact assessment and are generally a significant consideration in the

development of an effective monitoring program, should approval to proceed with the program be

received.

4.1.1 Bio-physical Valued Ecosystem Components

The concept and identification of bio-physical VECs has more than sixteen years of history related to

environmental impact assessment for proposed uranium development in northern Saskatchewan.

They have and will continue to be an important consideration during consultations and the

assessment of the potential environmental impacts of a proposed development such as the

Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program.

Historically, the identified VECs for the region in which the Roughrider Advanced Exploration

Program is located include:

Surface waters;

o Water quality

o Benthic Invertebrates;

o Phytoplankton;

o Zooplankton;

o Predatory fish (Northern Pike and Lake Trout);

o Bottom feeding fish (White Sucker and Lake Whitefish);

o Fish habitat;

Raptors;

Migratory waterfowl;

Snow shoe hare;

Woodland Caribou, Moose; and,

Muskrat, Beaver, Mink.

4.1.2 Rare & Endangered Species

Plant Species

Of the 119 rare plant species potentially occurring in the Athabasca Plain ecoregion, 5 have

observed in the study area: leathery grape fern (Botrychium multifidum) (S3), few-flowered sedge

(S2), three-seeded sedge (Carex trisperma), hairy butterwort (Pinguicula villosa) (S2S3), and

American scheuchzeria (S3). None of the species observed are listed on the federal Species at Risk



Act or protected under the provincial Wildlife Act. No exotic and/or prohibited, noxious, or nuisance

weeds as listed by the Saskatchewan Weed Control Act were observed during vegetation studies.

Wildlife Species

Database searches resulted in the identification of eleven federally listed wildlife species at risk or

species with special conservation measures as potentially occurring within the study area. These

include seven bird species and four mammals. Two bird species were detected in the study area

which are listed federally as threatened: olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) (n = 8), and

common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) (n = 9). Four bird species detected within the lease area

and/or RSA have provincial activity setbacks: bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), osprey

(Pandion haliaetus), northern hawk owl (Surnia ulula), Bonaparte’s gull (Chroicocephalus

philadelphia), and common tern (Sterna hirundo). Setback distances for common terns apply only to

breeding colonies, and no colonies were observed.

Database searches identified 4 federally listed wildlife species at risk or species with special

conservation measures as potentially occurring within the program area. These include four

mammals including wolverine (Gulo gulo), little brown myotis (mouse eared bat) (Myotis lucifugus),

northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), and boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou).

4.1.3 Traditional Valued Ecosystem Components (TVECs)

Plant Species

Twenty-nine plant species that have documented traditional uses by Cree and/or Dene people in

northern Saskatchewan (Marles 1984; Marles et al. 2008; Moerman 2010) were observed during rare

plant surveys in the Roughrider Program area in 2011 and 2012. Defined categories of use include:

food, medicinal, spiritual/ceremonial, and household/miscellaneous.

Traditional Foods

A dietary survey of members of the Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation was commissioned by the

Atomic Energy Control Board in 1999. The results of the survey indicated that traditional food

consumption was a very important dietary source for members of the Hatchet Lake Denesuline First

Nation. The study found that traditional meat is predominantly from caribou, although moose,

snowshoe hare, beaver, muskrat and porcupine were also consumed. These animals are obtained

locally, although in winter, hunters often travel north near the Northwest Territories border and

northeast into Manitoba to hunt caribou.

Fish are also an important dietary component of Band members. Fish are primarily obtained from

Wollaston Lake, although other nearby lakes are also a source of fish. Grouse, ptarmigan, ducks,

geese, swans and sandhill crane are also consumed on an opportunistic basis.



Traditional fruits consumed include bog cranberries, pinch berries, raspberries, blue berries and

cloudberries. These are usually eaten fresh, frozen or canned, and are prepared by boiling or baking.

Plants used for medicinal purposes include bearberry, birchbark, spruce gum, rat root and blackberry.

January 2013 Communities Environmental Workshop

On January 15th and 16

th, 2013, RTCU hosted a workshop in La Ronge which was attended by

representatives of Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation, Black Lake Denesuline First Nation, Fond

du Lac Denesuline First Nation, Barren Lands First Nation (Brochet), Northlands Denesuline First

Nation (Lac Brochet) Southend/Kinoosao (Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation), the Northern Settlement of

Stony Rapids and the Prince Albert Tribal Council.

One of the objectives of that workshop was to have the workshop participants identify “traditional

valued ecosystem components”. Discussion identified the important traditional valued ecosystem

components, including caribou, medicinal plants such as rat root, and mushrooms. It was also noted

that beaver remains an important food source in the north. Concerns were raised regarding the

potential for fish and moose contamination as they are also an important food source for many of the

community residents.

4.1.4 Socio-economic Valued Ecosystem Components

VECs for the socio-economic environment related to the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program

include:

Traditional land use;

General land use and management (including reasonably foreseeable future land uses);

Historic and heritage resources;

Human health and safety; and

Socio-economics (i.e., social and cultural conditions, aesthetics, transportation, navigation,

housing, employment and economic diversification).

4.1.5 Conclusion

The EIS will include a detailed assessment of program impacts on the biophysical and socio-

economic environment with a particular focus on these identified VECs and TVECs.

4.2 Existing Environment (Baseline)

RTCU has retained the services of a qualified firm to conduct comprehensive environmental baseline

studies for the RTCU Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program. The studies have been designed to

provide a state of the art baseline program in order to thoroughly assess the environmental impact of

the proposed program and to prepare the program for potential future permitting and regulatory

requirements. Preliminary studies were conducted in 2011, the majority of the program was

completed in 2012, and certain components like the water quality, air quality, and hydrology

monitoring programs are ongoing.



The baseline data has and will continue to be collected in a manner that provides a sound basis for

comparative monitoring, and allows for the identification of long-term trends, periodic change and

fluctuations in any identified rates of change.

Within the EIS, RTCU commits to describing the existing environment with respect to the VECs and

TVECs selected for the program in sufficient detail to enable an understanding of how the current

environmental conditions might be impacted (positively or negatively) by the proposed program.

Existing data will be utilized to the extent possible, and will be supplemented with field data as

required to predict impacts. This will include, but not necessarily be limited to, providing detailed

baseline data on:

Climate;

Air Quality;

Regional Noise;

Regional Geology;

Local Hydrogeology;

Regional Hydrology;

Aquatic Environment;

o Water Quality

o Sediment Quality

o Phytoplankton & Zooplankton

o Benthic Invertebrates

o Aquatic Macrophytes

o Fish Spawning Survey

o Fish Community Surveys

o Fish Tissue Chemistry

Terrestrial Environment;

o Database Searches

o Habitat & Ecosite Classification

o Plant Surveys

o Amphibian Surveys

o Bird Survey

o Winter Tracking Survey

o Ungulate Aerial Survey

o Pellet & Browse Survey

o Small Mammal Survey

o Rare & Endangered Species

Plant Species



Wildlife Species, including

Woodland caribou

Wolverine, and

Two species of myotis

o Valued Ecosystem Components

o Traditionally Valued Ecosystem Components

Heritage Resources; and

Human Environment.

Numerical data, which is presented or summarized in tables within the EIS will be included in

spreadsheet format (e.g., .xls or .csv format). Maps, tables and figures will be included in the EIS as

appropriate.

4.3 Impact Assessment

4.3.1 Environmental Assessment Methodology

The EIA and resulting EIS will systematically consider how program facilities and operations

interact with the environment. This will include a risk/hazard analysis of site facilities and activities,

including treated effluent and air emissions. Where potential ‘adverse’ effects are identified, feasible

mitigation measures will be identified, and an assessment carried out on the ‘residual’ effects after

mitigation.

A robust six-step process will be used to assess program impacts in order to ensure that the

interactions between the program components and the program setting are adequately described, that

the likely effects are identified and properly assessed, that mitigation measures are identified and

applied, and that the significance of any residual effect is determined. The steps are as follows:

Step 1: Describe the program facilities and activities.

Step 2: Identify and describe those components of the program setting (environmental,

socio-economic, heritage, etc.) that will be or could be affected by the program development.

Step 3: Identify the nature and extent of the impact of any interaction between the program

and the existing program setting.

Step 4: Identify proposed measure(s) available to manage the impacts identified in Step 3.

Step 5: Identify the magnitude, frequency, duration, significance and mitigation measure

applicable to minimize of identified effects on VECs and TVECs of the program and assess

impacts after mitigation measures are applied.

Step 6: Assess the significance of any residual effects.



Within the EIS, a description of the existing environment will be presented and provide the basis to

determine the likely interactions between the program components/activities and the surrounding

environment; and likewise between the environment and the program. The environment, as defined

by the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment Act, will be considered and characterized in terms

of ‘environmental components’ that may be affected by the program. The consideration of various

aspects of culture, heritage, archaeology and traditional land and resource use will be limited to those

that are likely to result from program effects.

VECs and TVECs identified through northern consultation will be specifically considered in the

environmental assessment.

The starting point in conducting the EA will be to characterize the program components/activities

associated with various feasible alternatives (technically and economically) that will be defined, and

to identify those that have the potential to interact with the surrounding environment. The potential

program-environment interactions for this assessment are associated with various ‘inputs’ and

‘outputs’ required for activities, such as shaft and drift development, exploration drilling, water

management, treatment and discharge, as well as the operation of supporting facilities and

infrastructure.

The inputs largely consist of consumables (e.g., materials, fuel, reagents) and labour; the outputs of

the Advanced Exploration Program largely will consist of, but may not be limited to, samples from

and data on the in situ ore bodies, air emissions, treated effluent discharges, the surface storage of

development rock and various waste products. There will also be supporting facilities and activities,

such as transportation, which can interact directly with the environment. The Program Overview in

the EIS will focus on identifying each of the input and output components from all facilities and

activities, and characterizing their potential to interact with the environment.

In assessing the potential impacts of the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program, the following

definitions will be provided and applied in the EIA to describe the significance of potential effects on

the environment and hence the potential risks associated with an activity:

No effect means that there is no interaction between the activity (or substances, etc.) and the

population or that the interaction has no effect.

Negligible effect is defined as one affecting the population or specific group of individuals at

a localized area and/or over a short period in such a way as to be similar in effect to small

random changes in the population due to natural environmental fluctuations, but having no

measurable effect on the populations as a whole.

Minor effect is defined as one affecting the population or specific group of individuals at a

localized area/or over the period (one generation or less), but not affecting other trophic

levels or the integrity of any population as a whole. It may be localized.



Moderate effect is defined as one affecting a portion of a population, which may result in a

change in abundance and/or distribution over one or more generations of that portion of the

population or any population dependant on it, but does not change the integrity of any

population as a whole. It may be localized.

Major effect is defined as one affecting a whole population or species in sufficient

magnitude to cause a decline in abundance and/or a change in distribution beyond which

natural recruitment (reproduction, immigration, to affected areas) would not return that

population or species, or any population or species, or any population or species dependent

on it, to its former level within several generations.

4.3.2 Ecological & Human Health Risk Assessment

In order to assist in the identification and quantification of potential adverse effects resulting from

the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program, RTCU has commissioned a qualified firm to

conduct a screening level ecological and human health risk assessment.

An ecological risk assessment (ERA) is the evaluation of the probability of adverse health

consequences to ecological receptors such as fish, terrestrial vegetation, soil-dwelling organisms,

mammals and birds caused by the presence of contaminants at or being discharged from the

program.

The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME 1996) has provided general guidance

concerning its views on what constitutes an ERA. The recommended framework is similar to that

proposed by Environment Canada (Env. Can. 1997) and is supported by the Ontario Ministry of the

Environment (MOEE 1996). The CCME recommends three levels of investigation.

The first level, a Screening Level Assessment (SLA or Tier 1) is essentially a qualitative assessment

of potential risks to important ecological receptors. Each level of the assessment includes the

following elements:

Receptor Characterization: At this phase of the assessment, the potential receptors are

identified and the pathways of exposure are defined.

Exposure Assessment: The purpose of this stage is to quantify the contact between the

receptor and the contaminant of concern. The choice of which contaminants of concern will

be assessed in based on an extensive review of historical uranium operations in northern

Saskatchewan and existing research on the “effects level” of individual radionuclides and

metals anticipated in the treated effluent.

Hazard Assessment: This phase of the ERA examines the potential effects of a contaminant

to a receptor.

Risk Characterization: The risk characterization stage combines the information collected in

the exposure assessment and the hazard assessment, and the potential for adverse ecological

effects is estimated.

Adverse ecological effects are characterized by the value of a simple screening index (generally

considered to be 1). This index is calculated by dividing the expected exposure concentration or dose



by the selected toxicity reference value for each ecological receptor. An ERA is concerned with

estimating effects on populations, communities and ecosystems (multi species). Estimation of

population level impacts is a complex issue and involves some level of scientific judgement.

Human Health Risk Assessment

A human health risk assessment (HHRA) evaluates the probability of adverse health consequences

caused by the presence of contaminants in the environment. In a HHRA, receptor characteristics

(e.g., portion of time spent in the study area, source of drinking water, composition of diet) and

exposure pathways (e.g., ingestion of berries) are taken into consideration to quantify the risk of

adverse health effects. Unlike an ecological risk assessment (ERA), which is concerned with

population effects, the HHRA focuses on effects on individuals.

Additionally, a HHRA does not follow the tiered framework of the ERA; rather, it relies mainly on

measured data where possible and concentrations of contaminants of potential concern (COPC) in

the flesh of animals calculated from the ERA. The HHRA uses scenarios that are considered to be

realistically conservative for the site in order to ensure that potential exposures and risk are over

estimated.

In the assessment, the HHRA will examine the potential adverse effects on individuals visiting and

using the site under development and post closure conditions as well as receptors at various strategic

locations surrounding the site at locations both down wind and downstream. Local users of the area

(trapper) as well as representatives of the identified stakeholders who were engaged to assist in the

selection of these locations.

Conclusion

The EIS will provide the detailed report on the methods and result of the Screening Level Ecological

and Human Health Risk Assessment including pathway analysis and provide diagrams to clearly

illustrate how program activities could potentially impact both ecological and human receptors.

4.3.3 Program Specific Impacts

Within the EIS, RTCU will evaluate the significance of program-specific impacts of, but not

necessarily limited to water withdrawal and use, treated effluent discharge and air emissions on

VECs and TVECs in the local and regional study area by identifying each impact’s magnitude,

geographic extent, duration, frequency, reversibility and likelihood of occurrence for the

construction, operation, decommissioning, reclamation and transition phase monitoring phase of the

Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program. This section of the EIS will also discuss the ability of

the local environment to accept the anticipated change (i.e., the resiliency of the environment) of

identified program impacts.



4.3.4 Regional Impact Assessment

The EIS will discuss how other developments in the area might influence the Roughrider Advanced

Exploration Program and/or its potential impacts on the VECs and TVECs.

4.3.5 Cumulative Impact Assessment

The EIS completed by RTCU will also consider whether program-specific impacts on the VECs and

TVECs identified, combined with the impacts from other past, present or reasonably foreseeable

future programs or activities in the regional study area will result in or contribute to any cumulative

environmental impacts (both spatially as well as temporally) in the short-, medium-, or long-term.

4.3.6 Impacts of the Environment on the Program

The EIA and resulting EIS will also consider and report on how the natural environment could

potentially affect the proposed program by considering the potential impacts of such things as

seasonal variation, drought, severe weather events (i.e. 1-in-100 year storm events, severe winter

conditions, etc.), climate change, forest fires, seismic events etc. could have on the proposed

program and the potential implications on VECs and TVECs in the area.

4.3.7 Contingency Plans

This section of the EIS will provide contingency plans to address unanticipated events, accidents or

malfunctions that may occur during all phases of the proposed development and impacts that such an

event may have on the VECs and TVECs. The section will also provide a discussion of

contingencies to address aspects of the environment that could have an impact on the program.

4.3.8 Impact Mitigation

The EIS will also provide a detailed discussion of mitigation measures that will be implemented to

address the identified program-specific and cumulative impacts on each VEC and TVEC identified.

In the event that an adverse impact resulting from the program cannot be successfully mitigated, the

EIS will provide a discussion of the impact, the extent that the impact is likely to occur as well as the

timeframe over which the impact is likely to be observed.

4.3.9 Residual Impacts

The EIS will also identify and discuss any residual impacts on VECs and TVECs after mitigation

measures have been implemented. Where potential residual impacts are identified, the EIS will

include an assessment of the significance of these impacts (by identifying each impact’s magnitude,

geographic extent, duration and frequency, reversibility and likelihood of occurrence) and provide a

conclusion regarding potential residual effects and their significance.



4.3.10 Monitoring of Predicted Impacts

The EIS will provide a proposed monitoring program designed to assess any identified impacts to the

VECs and TVECs. It will also propose methods for measuring the effectiveness of any mitigation

measures implemented.

It is anticipated that the monitoring will include, but not necessarily be limited to:

Construction and operation (to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements);

Evaluating the success of prevention and mitigation measures during all program phases;

Confirming or refuting anticipated impacts identified in the EIS;

Identifying impacts not originally identified in the EIS (i.e. unanticipated impacts);

Evaluating RTCU’s effectiveness in addressing public issues and concerns; and

Evaluating RTCU’s effectiveness in addressing Aboriginal issues and concerns.

4.3.11 Identification of Uncertainties

The EIS will also identify and discuss any uncertainties identified during the EIA and propose

specific actions to address such uncertainties. This may include such things as monitoring programs

and/or the development of adaptive management plans designed to address the identified uncertainty

and provide mitigation if necessary.

5 Public Participation and Consultation

5.1 Introduction

Wherever we operate, Rio Tinto Canada Uranium (RTCU) sets out to building enduring

relationships with our neighbouring communities that demonstrate mutual respect, active

partnership, and long term commitment . To achieve this, we integrate community relations into

project and operational planning. We do our best to accommodate the different cultures, lifestyles,

preferences, heritage and perceptions of our neighbours (Rio Tinto 2009).

RTCU respects the diversity of indigenous peoples, acknowledging the unique and important

interests that they have in the land, waters and environment as well as their history, culture and

traditional ways.

RTCU recognizes the importance of full and open discussion and engagement of the issues and

options associated with the development of the Roughrider Project, including the Advanced

Exploration Program, with neighbouring communities. In light of this, RTCU has maintained regular

and transparent communications with neighbouring communities and individual stakeholders

throughout the project and to ensure their feedback is integrated into our future actions. This in line

with our efforts to ensure that we build the widest possible understanding and support from local

communities throughout the life cycle of its businesses.



Stakeholders are defined as those groups, sub-groups and/or individual people whom the project

might affect. They all have a stake in the progress of the project, whether they are regulators,

supporters or critics.

5.2 Principles

The following principles have and will continue to be used by RTCU and its representatives in

conducting communications and consultations with all stakeholders related to the Roughrider

Project:

Communicate clearly in a timely way at the right time - Good practice advocates

communication with stakeholders early and often, even when there is nothing new to report.

It is important to keep lines of communication open as stakeholders build trust in these

processes and understand that when there is something new, they can expect to hear it from

RTCU first.

Provide full information promptly to encourage fair and informed discussion.

Support consultation to the maximum by responding to information requests fully and

quickly.

Establish clear and realistic timetables for accepting requests, suggestions and submissions,

and be sensitive to the limited resources available to people and groups.

Provide information, particularly technical information, in plain language.

Give practical help to people and groups to take part, with attention to equal opportunity.

Include people from non-English speaking backgrounds and consider gender and community

demographic to ensure communication/consultations are as inclusive as possible.

Provide frequent feedback, including the results of meetings, incoming suggestions and

requests, key recommendations, and information about emerging technologies.

Ensure that people who join the consultation process at different stages will, as much as

possible, be able to provide input into the direction of the developing project.

Stimulate conciliatory and constructive exchanges of views and genuinely try to address,

without prejudice, the major issues.

Frequently monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the consultation program during and at

the end of each phase of the project.

Share with the community the responsibility for effective consultations.



Throughout consultations, RTCU has and will continue to seek advice from First Nations and Métis

leadership, as well as from community members on the most appropriate and effective means of

consultation, (e.g., the types of information required, translation needs, different formats, the

possible need for community meetings).

5.3 Identification of Primary Community Stakeholders

Early in the program planning stages, RTCU also identified the need to engage people and

organizations potentially impacted by the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program. In order to

determine the appropriate communities to conduct consultation with, RTCU considered their

proximity to the Roughrider site, historical connections to the lands in the area, watershed flow

directions and prevailing winds in and around the site as well as engagement expectations. Based on

this, as well as that fact that the Roughrider property straddles two watersheds (therefore has the

potential to discharge treated effluent into either), the following communities/groups/organizations

were identified as the primary stakeholders related to the Roughrider program:

Local Land User

Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation

Black Lake Denesuline First Nation

Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation

Barren Lands First Nation (Brochet)

Northlands Denesuline First Nation (Lac Brochet)

Southend/Kinoosao – Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN)

Northern Region 1, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan

o Local #19

o Local #80

Northern Settlement of Wollaston Lake

Northern Settlement of Stony Rapids

5.4 Community Engagement & Consultation Activities

Table 1 provides a summary of the community engagement activities conducted by representatives

of RTCU to date.

Throughout these consultations, RTCU has and will continue to seek advice from First Nations and

Métis leadership, as well as from community members on the most appropriate and effective means

of consultation, (e.g., the types of information required, translation needs, different formats, the possible

need for community meetings).



RTCU plans to continue public consultation with each of these communities and with the leadership

of each community during the preparation of the EIA and will report on these consultations in the

EIS (see Appendix B).



Table 1 - Community Engagement & Consultation Activities to Date

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY COMMUNITY/ORGANIZATION DATE

Presentation All NSEQC meeting Presentation to introduce Rio Tinto, summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities, and answer questions NSEQC members & NMMS Manager March 6-7, 2012

Establish Toll Free Number Establish and communicate a toll free number for Roughrider community inquiries Available in all communities March 30, 2012

Public Open House Introduce Rio Tinto, discuss most appropriate method of future communications summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities and answer questions

Northern Settlement of Stony Rapids April 23, 2012

Meet with Chief and Council Introduce Rio Tinto, summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities, discuss most appropriate method of future communications and answer questions




April 25, 2012

April 23, 2012

April 24, 2012

Phone contact with Chief Introduce Rio Tinto, discuss most appropriate method of future communications answer questions and request community meeting

Northlands Denesuline First Nation (Lac Brochet) April 24, 2012

Public Open House Introduce Rio Tinto, summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities and answer questions





April 25, 2012

April 23, 2012

April 24, 2012

April 23, 2012



May 7, 2012

Presentation All NSEQC meeting Presentation to summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities and answer questions NSEQC members & NMMS Manager June 20-21, 2012

Attend Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation Band Council Meeting

Presentation on Roughrider surface exploration activities, temporary access trail, and answer questions from community members

Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation September 20, 2012

Presentation All NSEQC meeting Presentation to summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities and answer questions NSEQC members & NMMS Manager October 30-31, 2012

Consultation on Temporary Access Trail

Receive input on temporary trail route selection and construction Local (to Roughrider property) trapper

Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation Councilor November 09, 2012

Meet with Southend Councilors Meet with Southend Councilors and Southend Working Group Southend/Kinoosao – Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation November 23, 2012


Southend/Kinoosao November 23, 2012

Conduct Communities Environmental Workshop ( La Ronge)

2 Day Workshop to:

Continue on-going communication with area communities.

Facilitate early engagement with community representatives and local land users on issues related to the potential development of a mine and mill facility at the Roughrider project site.

Describe the major aspects of a theoretical mine and mill at the Roughrider project to community representatives.

Discuss issues of concern identified by community representatives and local land users.

Identify and discuss realistic alternatives (options) for major aspects of a theoretical mine and mill.

Identify criteria that community members and land users would use to assess the identified alternatives.

Identify appropriate Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs) - both from a scientific and from a traditional land use knowledge base.

Identify appropriate human and ecological receptors for modeling purposes (including appropriate location of receptors to be modeled).

Representatives from:






Southend/Kinoosao


Vice Chief, Prince Albert Tribal Council

SENES Consultants

CanNorth Environmental Services

RTCU

January 15-16, 2013




Presentation All NSEQC meeting Presentation to summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities and answer questions NSEQC members & NMMS Manager April 15-16, 2013

Women’s focus group Introduce Rio Tinto, summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities, discussion of phases (or stages) of mineral development; temporary access trail; proposed advanced exploration activities, and to identify & discuss issues related to Rio activities & advanced exploration proposal.

Women from Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation June 19, 2013

Meet with Chief and Council

Presentation on:

Roughrider activities to date;

o Phases (or stages) of mineral development;

o Temporary access trail;

o Proposed advanced exploration activities;

Identify & discuss issues related to activities & advanced exploration proposal;

Solicit input on treated effluent discharge location

Discuss the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on principles of future consultation, engagement and future relationships




Southend/Kinoosao – Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation

June 20, 2013

July 04, 2013

June 21, 2013

June 24, 2013

Public Open House

Presentation on:


o Phases of mineral development;




Receive input on treated effluent discharge location






June 20, 2013

July 04, 2013

June 21, 2013

June 24, 2013

June 26, 2013

All NSEQC workshop

Presentation on:







NSEQC members & NMMS Manager June 25, 2013

Attend Athabasca Dene Gathering

Presentation on:

Introduction to Rio Tinto


Phases of mineral development;


June 27, 2013

Public meetings & combined Chief & Council Meetings

Presentation on:

Introduction to Rio Tinto;


Phases of mineral development; and

Provide overview of Advanced Exploration Program in plain language

Brochet and Lac Brochet

August 28, 2013

Site tour Site tour of Roughrider Site and the temporary access trail built. Councilor of Hatchet Lake August 29, 2013



5.5 Duty to Consult First Nations and Métis

The Crown’s Duty to Consult will be triggered by the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program as

proposed. As a result, RTCU has prepared a Consultation Plan for the program which is included as

Appendix B.

It is important to note that as a significant proportion of the identified stakeholder communities are

either First Nations or contain a significant proportion of Métis peoples, consultations conducted by

RTCU to date have focused on relevant ecological, traditional or other knowledge which will be

incorporating in the EIA and eventually, where appropriate in the EIS. Consultation conducted by

RTCU with the First Nations and Métis communities and organizations have and will continue to

include, when appropriate, how current and proposed activities at the Roughrider site could

potentially impact Treaty and Aboriginal rights and traditional uses of the program area.

6 Conditions Management

6.1 Commitment Register

In the EIS, a commitments register, outlining each commitment made in the EIS to prevent or

mitigate identified environmental impacts of the preferred alternative and/or to meet any regulatory

requirements, will be provided. The commitments will also include specific commitments for

monitoring.

As recommended by the MOE, RTCU will use the template provided in Appendix ‘C’ of the

Guidelines for the Preparation of the Terms of Reference (November 2012) issued by the

Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment to build the commitments register for the Roughrider

Advanced Exploration Program. The ‘Commitment’ column will provide a description of the

commitment and how it will be implemented. Each commitment will be stated in such a manner that

auditing for conformance is not subjective.

Assuming a positive Ministerial Decision, RTCU will update the commitments register to include all

of the Ministerial Approval’s terms and conditions, and reference these terms and conditions in the

‘Condition in Approval’ column. Similarly, if a commitment is a requirement of a specific permit or

approval issued to the program, the Register will be appropriately update to include that commitment

and the permit name and number will be stated in the register.

6.2 Reporting and Follow-up

Assuming a positive Ministerial Decision, RTCU will submit an annual report to the appropriate

government agencies regarding progress made on meeting commitments that are a requirement of

each agency.



6.2.1 Reporting to Environmental Assessment Branch

RTCU will submit an annual report on October 1 of each year the program is in existence to the

MOE Environmental Assessment Branch describing the progress made on meeting each commitment

under the ‘Condition in Approval’ column of the Commitments Register.

6.2.2 Reporting to Other Government Agencies

For those commitments required by RTCU to meet the regulatory requirements of government

agencies other than the MOE Environmental Assessment Branch (e.g., requirements of permits,

approvals or licences) the method and timing of annual reporting and follow-up to the EIS

commitments will be discussed with and submitted to each relevant appropriate agency.

6.2.3 Content of Report

The annual report will be brief and contain details of models, monitoring or other data except where

necessary to indicate the status of a commitment. Detailed information will be made available by

RTCU upon request. The body of the annual report shall, at a minimum:

Indicate how effectively commitments are being met;

Describe any preventative actions where a commitment is at risk of not being met; and

Describe any corrective actions (approved by the appropriate government agencies) where a

commitment has not or cannot be met;

Justify the reasons for any commitment that might not be or has not been met; and

Provide an assessment (where appropriate) on whether the commitment sufficiently

addresses the intended environmental protection or mitigation objectives.

7 Conclusion

The Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program Environmental Impact Statement prepared and

submitted by Rio Tinto Canada Uranium Corporation will provide a concise, complete statement

of the anticipated net environmental costs and benefits of the proposed program in the short-,

medium-, and long-terms. The discussion will also include, if possible, any intangible costs and

benefits that cannot be expressed in economic terms.



8 References

CCME 1996 A Protocol for the Derivation of Environmental and Human Health Soil Quality

Guidelines. Report CCME EPC-101E, CCME Canadian Council of Ministers of the

Environment (CCME) March 1996

Env. Can.1997 Environmental Assessments of Priority Substances Under the Canadian

Environmental Protection Act. Guidance Manual Version 1.0, Environment Canada,

March 1997.

Marles, R. 1984. The ethnobotany of the Chipewyan of northern Saskatchewan (Unpublished). M.Sc.

thesis, Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,

Saskatchewan.

Marles et al. 2008 Aboriginal plant use in Canada's northwest boreal forest. Marles, R., C. Clavelle, L.

Monteleone, N. Tays, and D. Burns. Natural Resources Canada, Edmonton, Alberta,

2008.

MOEE 1996 Scientific Criteria Document for the Development of an Interim Provincial Water

Quality Objective for Antimony. MOEE (Ontario Ministry of Environment and

Energy) January 1996.

Moerman 2010 Native American plant foods. Moerman, D. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2010.

Rio Tinto 2009 The Way We Work, Our global code of business conduct, Rio Tinto, December

2009.

Appendix A

Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program Environmental Impact Statement

Rio Tinto Canada Uranium Corp.

Submitted to:

Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment

2013

Roughrider Advanced Exploration EIS Page 2

RR_AdEx_EIS_Table_of_Contents.docx October 2013

Table of Contents

Executive Summary .......................................................................................................... 6

Glossary of Terms & Definitions ...................................................................................... 6

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 7 1.1 General Program Overview ............................................................................................... 7

1.1.1 Scope of Program ................................................................................................................... 7 1.1.2 Program Location .................................................................................................................... 7 1.1.3 Program Schedule ................................................................................................................... 7

1.2 Proponent .......................................................................................................................... 7 1.2.1 Operator .................................................................................................................................. 7 1.2.2 Site Management .................................................................................................................... 7

1.3 Need for the Program ........................................................................................................ 7 1.4 Regulatory Context ............................................................................................................ 7

1.4.1 Environmental Assessment ..................................................................................................... 7 1.4.2 Operational Regulatory Oversight - Federal ........................................................................... 8 1.4.3 Operational Regulatory Oversight - Provincial ........................................................................ 8 1.4.4 Provincial Permitting ................................................................................................................ 8

1.5 EIS Organization ............................................................................................................... 8

2 Tenure Overview .......................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Exploration History ............................................................................................................ 8 2.2 Current Site Condition ....................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Mineral Tenure .................................................................................................................. 8 2.4 Surface Tenure .................................................................................................................. 8

2.4.1 Access Road ........................................................................................................................... 8 2.4.2 Roughrider Property ................................................................................................................ 8 2.4.3 Borrow Sources ....................................................................................................................... 8

3 Program Overview ....................................................................................................... 9 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 9 3.2 Consideration of Alternatives ............................................................................................. 9 3.3 Roughrider Program Facilities & Activities ......................................................................... 9

3.3.1 Site Plan .................................................................................................................................. 9 3.4 Shaft & Drifting .................................................................................................................. 9

3.4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 9 3.4.2 Shaft Development .................................................................................................................. 9 3.4.3 Drift Development .................................................................................................................... 9 3.4.4 Underground Equipment ......................................................................................................... 9 3.4.5 Underground Water Management ........................................................................................... 9 3.4.6 Ventilation ................................................................................................................................ 9

3.5 Development Rock Management ....................................................................................... 9 3.5.1 Rock Characterization ............................................................................................................. 9 3.5.2 Volume Estimates ................................................................................................................. 10 3.5.3 Management Options Considered ........................................................................................ 10 3.5.4 Development Rock Management Plan .................................................................................. 10

3.6 Underground Exploration Program .................................................................................. 10 3.6.1 Drilling .................................................................................................................................... 10 3.6.2 Drill Cuttings Management .................................................................................................... 10 3.6.3 Drill Water Management ........................................................................................................ 10 3.6.4 Sample Management ............................................................................................................ 10



3.7 Underground Support Infrastructure ................................................................................ 10 3.7.1 Explosives Magazine ............................................................................................................. 10 3.7.2 Freeze Plant .......................................................................................................................... 10 3.7.3 Dry & Administration .............................................................................................................. 10 3.7.4 Maintenance Shops ............................................................................................................... 10 3.7.5 Cold Storage.......................................................................................................................... 10

3.8 Hazardous Substance Storage & Use ............................................................................. 10 3.9 Site Water Management .................................................................................................. 10

3.9.1 Underground Inflow ............................................................................................................... 10 3.9.2 Site Water Treatment ............................................................................................................ 10 3.9.3 Treated Effluent Discharge .................................................................................................... 11 3.9.4 Site Water Recycling ............................................................................................................. 11 3.9.5 Freshwater Use & Source ..................................................................................................... 11 3.9.6 Site Water Balance ................................................................................................................ 11

3.10 Site Air Management ....................................................................................................... 11 3.10.1 Underground.......................................................................................................................... 11 3.10.2 Surface .................................................................................................................................. 11

3.11 Program Support Infrastructure ....................................................................................... 11 3.11.1 Access Road ......................................................................................................................... 11 3.11.2 Electricity ............................................................................................................................... 12 3.11.3 Transportation ....................................................................................................................... 12 3.11.4 Accommodations ................................................................................................................... 12

3.12 Waste Management ........................................................................................................ 12 3.12.1 Sewage .................................................................................................................................. 12 3.12.2 Domestic Waste .................................................................................................................... 12 3.12.3 Industrial Waste ..................................................................................................................... 12

3.13 Worker Health & Safety ................................................................................................... 12 3.13.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 12 3.13.2 Conventional Health & Safety ............................................................................................... 12 3.13.3 Radiological Health & Safety ................................................................................................. 12

3.14 Hazard Assessment ........................................................................................................ 12 3.14.1 Identified Risk ........................................................................................................................ 12 3.14.2 Contingency........................................................................................................................... 12

3.15 Malfunctions or Accidents ................................................................................................ 12 3.15.1 Event ..................................................................................................................................... 12 3.15.2 Contingency Plan .................................................................................................................. 12

3.16 Upset Conditions ............................................................................................................. 12 3.16.1 Conventional.......................................................................................................................... 12 3.16.2 Radiological ........................................................................................................................... 13

3.17 Inspections & Monitoring ................................................................................................. 13 3.17.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 13 3.17.2 Geotechnical Monitoring Program ......................................................................................... 13 3.17.3 Environmental Management Program .................................................................................. 13 3.17.4 Radiological Management Program ...................................................................................... 13

3.18 Decommissioning & Reclamation .................................................................................... 13 3.18.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 13 3.18.2 Conceptual Decommissioning Plan ...................................................................................... 13 3.18.3 Reclamation........................................................................................................................... 13 3.18.4 Transition Phase Monitoring .................................................................................................. 13 3.18.5 Decommissioning Financial Surety ....................................................................................... 13 3.18.6 Custodial Transfer of Decommissioned and Reclaimed Sites .............................................. 13

3.19 Labour Force & Economics ............................................................................................. 13 3.20 Ancillary Projects ............................................................................................................. 13 3.21 Program Boundaries ........................................................................................................ 13

3.21.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 13 3.21.2 Spatial Boundaries ................................................................................................................ 13 3.21.3 Temporal Boundaries ............................................................................................................ 13



4 Valued Ecosystem Components .............................................................................. 14 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 14 4.2 Bio-physical Valued Ecosystem Components .................................................................. 14

4.2.1 Traditional Valued Ecosystem Components ......................................................................... 14 4.3 Rare & Endangered Species ........................................................................................... 14

4.3.1 Plant Species ........................................................................................................................ 14 4.3.2 Wildlife Species ..................................................................................................................... 14

5 Environment Assessment ......................................................................................... 14 5.1 Existing Environment ....................................................................................................... 14

5.1.1 Ecoregion Description ........................................................................................................... 14 5.1.2 Climate .................................................................................................................................. 14 5.1.3 Noise ..................................................................................................................................... 15 5.1.4 Air Quality .............................................................................................................................. 15 5.1.5 Regional Geology .................................................................................................................. 15 5.1.6 Regional Hydrogeology ......................................................................................................... 15 5.1.7 Regional Surface Hydrology.................................................................................................. 15 5.1.8 Wetlands ................................................................................................................................ 15 5.1.9 Aquatic Environment ............................................................................................................. 15 5.1.10 Terrestrial Environment ......................................................................................................... 15 5.1.11 Rare & Endangered Species ................................................................................................. 15 5.1.12 Heritage Resources ............................................................................................................... 15 5.1.13 Traditional Land Use ............................................................................................................. 15 5.1.14 Usufractuary Land Use .......................................................................................................... 15 5.1.15 Human Environment .............................................................................................................. 15

5.2 Impact Assessment ......................................................................................................... 15 5.2.1 Assessment Scope and Methodology ................................................................................... 15 5.2.2 Identification of Potential Environmental Impacts ................................................................. 15 5.2.3 Screening Level Ecological and Human Health Assessment ............................................... 16 5.2.4 Significance of Identified Environmental Impacts & Mitigation .............................................. 16 5.2.5 Socio-Economic Impacts & Mitigation ................................................................................... 16 5.2.6 Impacts on Traditional Pursuits ............................................................................................. 16 5.2.7 Impacts of the Environment on the Project ........................................................................... 16 5.2.8 Cumulative Impacts ............................................................................................................... 16

5.3 Follow-up Programs ........................................................................................................ 16 5.3.1 Environmental Monitoring & Reporting ................................................................................. 16 5.3.2 Biodiversity Action Plan ......................................................................................................... 16 5.3.3 Woodland Caribou Management Plan .................................................................................. 16 5.3.4 Radiological Monitoring Program .......................................................................................... 16 5.3.5 Socio-Economic Monitoring & Reporting .............................................................................. 16

6 Consultations Report ................................................................................................. 16 6.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 16 6.2 Principles ......................................................................................................................... 16 6.3 Identification of Stakeholders ........................................................................................... 16 6.4 Environmental Impact Assessment Consultation Program ............................................... 16

6.4.1 Crown’s Duty to Consult ........................................................................................................ 16 6.4.2 Additional NAD Communities ................................................................................................ 16 6.4.3 Consultation Schedule .......................................................................................................... 16

6.5 Issues Identified & Response .......................................................................................... 17 6.5.1 Local Land User .................................................................................................................... 17 6.5.2 Hatchet Lake Denesuline Nation ........................................................................................... 17 6.5.3 Other Aboriginal Communities .............................................................................................. 17 6.5.4 Other NAD Communities ....................................................................................................... 17 6.5.5 Northern Saskatchewan Environmental Quality Committee ................................................. 17

6.6 Continued Consultation ................................................................................................... 17



7 Commitments Register .............................................................................................. 17

8 Conclusions ............................................................................................................... 17

9 References .................................................................................................................. 17

List of Tables

List of Figures

List of Appendices

Appendix B

Rio Tinto Canada Uranium Corporation

Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program Consultation Plan

Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program Consultation Plan Page 1

RR_Ad Ex _Consultation_Plan Final.docx October 2013

Table of Contents

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 2 1.1 Principles ........................................................................................................................... 2

2 Identification of Primary Stakeholders ....................................................................... 4 2.1 Local Land User ................................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Stakeholder Communities.................................................................................................. 4 2.3 North Saskatchewan Environmental Quality Committee .................................................... 7

3 Community Engagement & Consultation Activities to Date .................................... 8

4 Duty to Consult First Nations and Métis .................................................................. 11 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 11 4.2 Duty to Consult Objectives .............................................................................................. 11

5 Consultation Methods and Activities ....................................................................... 13 5.1 Methods .......................................................................................................................... 13 5.2 Planned Activities ............................................................................................................ 13

6 Identification of Aboriginal and Community Issues and/or Concerns .................. 15

7 Record Maintenance .................................................................................................. 16

8 References .................................................................................................................. 18

List of Tables Table 1 - Community Engagement & Consultation Activities to Date ............................................... 9

List of Figures Figure 1: Roughrider Program Stakeholder Communities ................................................................ 6



Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program

Consultation Plan

1 Introduction

The prospect of a program such as the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program can provide direct

and indirect economic benefits to a community in the form of employment and business

development. However, the same program may also raise concerns and uncertainty in a segment of

the community, particularly with regard to the potential for negative impacts to the biophysical

environment or to traditionally important activities such as hunting, trapping and fishing.

In every jurisdiction in which it is present, it is Rio Tinto’s publically stated objective to build

enduring relationships with its neighbours that demonstrate mutual respect, active partnership, and

long term commitment (Rio Tinto 2009). At all stages of a project life, positive community relations

work is integrated into project and operational planning and efforts are made to accommodate the

different cultures, lifestyles, preferences, heritage and perceptions of our neighbours.

Rio Tinto respects the diversity of indigenous peoples, acknowledging the unique and important

interests that they have in the land, waters and environment as well as their history, culture and

traditional ways.

Rio Tinto Canada Uranium Corporation (RTCU) recognizes the importance of full and open

discussion of the issues and options associated with the development of the Roughrider Project,

including the Advanced Exploration Program, and the related concerns that individual or

communities may have in relation to the activities. In light of this, RTCU has maintained open and

honest communications with local communities and individual stakeholders throughout all stages of

the project. As the proponent desires to ensure that their operational practices, both now and into the

future, reflect the values, expectations and needs of the community in which it is operating,

continued mutually respectful consultation with all stakeholders is important to Rio Tinto.

Stakeholders are defined as those groups, sub-groups and/or individual people whom the project

might affect. They all have a stake in the progress of the project, whether they are regulators,

supporters or critics.

1.1 Principles

The following principles have and will continue to be used by RTCU and its representatives in

conducting communications and consultations with all stakeholders related to the Roughrider

Project:



Communicate clearly in a timely way at the right time - Good practice advocates

communication with stakeholders early and often, even when there is nothing new to report.

It is important to keep lines of communication open as stakeholders build trust in these

processes and understand that when there is something new, they can expect to hear it from

the company first.

Provide full information promptly to encourage fair and informed discussion.

Support consultation to the maximum by responding to information requests fully and

quickly.

Establish clear and realistic timetables for accepting requests, suggestions and submissions,

and be sensitive to the limited resources available to people and groups.

Provide information, particularly technical information, in plain language.

Give practical help to people and groups to take part, with attention to equal opportunity.

Include people from non-English speaking backgrounds and consider gender and community

demographic to ensure communication/consultations are as inclusive as possible.

Provide frequent feedback, including the results of meetings, incoming suggestions and

requests, key recommendations, and information about emerging technologies.

Ensure that people who join the consultation process at different stages will, as much as

possible, be able to influence the direction of the developing project.

Stimulate conciliatory and constructive exchanges of views and genuinely try to address,

without prejudice, the major issues.

Frequently monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the consultation program during and at

the end of each phase of the project.

Share with the community the responsibility for effective consultations.

Throughout consultations, RTCU has and will continue to seek advice from First Nations and Métis

leadership, as well as from community members on the most appropriate and effective means of

consultation, (e.g., the types of information required, translation needs, different formats, the

possible need for community meetings).



2 Identification of Primary Stakeholders

2.1 Local Land User

RTCU has consulted on a regular basis with the local trapper, a member of the Hatchet Lake

Denesuline First Nation, active in the Roughrider area since acquiring the property in January 2012

and commencing surface exploration drilling. This has included regular consultation prior to each

season’s drilling program as well as seeking the individual’s (and some of his immediate family)

input on the routing of the temporary site access trail constructed.

The local trapper has also recently been consulted in order to identify any issues or concerns he may

have related to the potential development of the Advanced Exploration Program at the site and how

the program could potentially impact his traditional pursuits of hunting, fishing and trapping. In

addition he was also asked to provide his individual preference regarding the potential location of the

discharge of the treated effluent from the Roughrider site if the Advanced Exploration Program is

granted approval to proceed.

RTCU will continue consultation with the local trapper and his family during the preparation of the

EIA and will report on these consultations in the EIS.

2.2 Stakeholder Communities

Early in the program planning stages, RTCU also identified the need to engage people and

organizations potentially impacted by the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program. In order to

determine the appropriate communities to conduct consultation with, RTCU considered their

proximity to the Roughrider site, historical connections to the lands in the area, watershed flow

directions and prevailing winds in and around the site as well as engagement expectations. Based on

this, as well as that fact that the Roughrider property straddles two watersheds (therefore has the

potential to discharge treated effluent into either), the following communities/groups/organizations

were identified as the primary stakeholders related to the exploration program:






Southend/Kinoosao – Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN)

Northern Region 1, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan

o Local #19

o Local #80



Northern Settlement of Wollaston Lake


Figure 1 provides the location of the identified settlements.



Figure 1: Roughrider Program Stakeholder Communities

Roughrider

Map Source: Tourism Saskatchewan Official Site (www.sasktourism.com) July 2013



2.3 North Saskatchewan Environmental Quality Committee

The Northern Saskatchewan Environmental Quality Committee (EQC) was also identified as a

primary stakeholder. The EQC was originally established in 1995 and is currently composed of

representatives from some 32 northern municipal and First Nation communities in northern

Saskatchewan. Each member is nominated by the communities identified as "primary impact

communities" for uranium mining operation in the region. Since its inception, the EQC has met

consistently to receive information on uranium mining activities and to review the environmental

protection measures being employed, provide input on regulatory approvals and on the socio-

economic benefits being gained from the industry.

Since acquiring the Roughrider property, RTCU has attended every All-EQC meetings held in La

Ronge and provided presentations on completed Roughrider surface exploration activities and on

planned future activities at the site.

More recently, RTCU conducted a workshop with the EQC (June 25, 2013). During the workshop,

the EQC members received a presentation on the proposed Roughrider Advanced Exploration

Program, provided written feedback on a number of questions posed related to the proposed program

and participated in an options analysis exercise in order to rank their individual preferences

regarding the potential location of the discharge of treated effluent from the Roughrider site in the

event that Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program is granted approval to proceed.

RTCU will continue consultation with the EQC during the preparation of the EIA and will report on

these consultations in the EIS.



3 Community Engagement & Consultation Activities to Date

Table 1 provides a summary of the community engagement activities conducted by representatives

of RTCU to date.

Throughout these consultations, RTCU has and will continue to seek advice from First Nations and

Métis leadership, as well as from community members on the most appropriate and effective means

of consultation, (e.g., the types of information required, translation needs, different formats, the possible

need for community meetings).

RTCU plans to continue public consultation with each of these communities and with each with the

leadership of each community during the preparation of the EIA and will report on these

consultations in the EIS.



Table 1 - Community Engagement & Consultation Activities to Date


Presentation All NSEQC meeting Presentation to introduce Rio Tinto, summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities, and answer questions NSEQC members & NMMS Manager March 6-7, 2012

Establish Toll Free Number Establish and communicate a toll free number for Roughrider community inquiries Available in all communities March 30, 2012


Northern Settlement of Stony Rapids April 23, 2012

Meet with Chief and Council Introduce Rio Tinto, summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities, discuss most appropriate method of future communications and answer questions




April 25, 2012

April 23, 2012

April 24, 2012


Northlands Denesuline First Nation (Lac Brochet) April 24, 2012

Public Open House Introduce Rio Tinto, summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities and answer questions





April 25, 2012

April 23, 2012

April 24, 2012

April 23, 2012



May 7, 2012

Presentation All NSEQC meeting Presentation to summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities and answer questions NSEQC members & NMMS Manager June 20-21, 2012

Attend Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation Band Council Meeting

Presentation on Roughrider surface exploration activities, temporary access trail, and answer questions from community members

Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation September 20, 2012

Presentation All NSEQC meeting Presentation to summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities and answer questions NSEQC members & NMMS Manager October 30-31, 2012

Consultation on Temporary Access Trail

Receive input on temporary trail route selection and construction Local (to Roughrider property) trapper

Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation Councilor November 09, 2012

Meet with Southend Councilors Meet with Southend Councilors and Southend Working Group Southend/Kinoosao – Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation November 23, 2012


Southend/Kinoosao November 23, 2012

Conduct Communities Environmental Workshop ( La Ronge)

2 Day Workshop to:

Continue on-going communication with area communities.

Facilitate early engagement with community representatives and local land users on issues related to the potential development of a mine and mill facility at the Roughrider project site.

Describe the major aspects of a theoretical mine and mill at the Roughrider project to community representatives.

Discuss issues of concern identified by community representatives and local land users.

Identify and discuss realistic alternatives (options) for major aspects of a theoretical mine and mill.

Identify criteria that community members and land users would use to assess the identified alternatives.

Identify appropriate Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs) - both from a scientific and from a traditional land use knowledge base.

Identify appropriate human and ecological receptors for modeling purposes (including appropriate location of receptors to be modeled).







Southend/Kinoosao


Vice Chief, Prince Albert Tribal Council

SENES Consultants

CanNorth Environmental Services

RTCU

January 15-16, 2013




Presentation All NSEQC meeting Presentation to summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities and answer questions NSEQC members & NMMS Manager April 15-16, 2013

Women’s focus group Introduce Rio Tinto, summarize Roughrider surface exploration activities, discussion of phases (or stages) of mineral development; temporary access trail; proposed advanced exploration activities, and to identify & discuss issues related to Rio activities & advanced exploration proposal.

Women from Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation June 19, 2013

Meet with Chief and Council

Presentation on:


o Phases (or stages) of mineral development;





Discuss the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on principles of future consultation, engagement and future relationships





June 20, 2013

July 04, 2013

June 21, 2013

June 24, 2013

Public Open House

Presentation on:






Receive input on treated effluent discharge location






June 20, 2013

July 04, 2013

June 21, 2013

June 24, 2013

June 26, 2013

All NSEQC workshop

Presentation on:







NSEQC members & NMMS Manager June 25, 2013

Attend Athabasca Dene Gathering

Presentation on:

Introduction to Rio Tinto


Phases of mineral development;


June 27, 2013



4 Duty to Consult First Nations and Métis

4.1 Introduction

This section provides a consultation plan specific to the First Nations and Métis locals identified in

the September 30, 2013 Ministry of Environment letter to Rio Tinto Canada Uranium Corp. (RTCU)

(attached as Appendix 1).

As identified in September 30, 2013 MoE letter, RTCU has been assigned responsibility to assist the

Province of Saskatchewan in its Duty to Consult obligation with regard to the proposed Roughrider

Advanced Exploration Program by consulting and engaging with;

The Hatchet Lake Denésuline First Nation (HLDFN);

The Métis Nation Saskatchewan – Northern Region 1 Local # 19 (NR1 Local #19); and,

The Métis Nation Saskatchewan – Northern Region 1 Local #80 (NR1 Local #80)

Supplemental to the communities identified by the Ministry of Environment, consultation and

engagement by RTCU regarding the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program has and will also

continue to include;

The Black Lake Denesuline First Nation;

The Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation;

The Barren Lands First Nation;

The Northlands Denesuline First Nation and,

The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation community of Southend (also representing the community

of Kinasoo).

4.2 Duty to Consult Objectives

As noted in the September 30, 2013 letter, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment has assigned

various procedural aspects required to fulfill its Duty to Consult obligations. As such, RTCUC will,

at a minimum:

Provide information to First Nation and Métis communities to ensure they are reasonably

informed as to the nature of the proposed activities and are aware of any potential

environmental impacts – including short-, medium- and long-term plans in the area;



Arrange meetings by mutual agreement with First Nation and Métis community elected

officials or their formally authorized designates to discuss appropriate means of engagement

recognizing community specific requirements;

Engage with the First Nation and Métis communities to identify and discuss specific

potential adverse impacts of the project on First Nation and Métis ability to exercise their

right to hunt, fish and trap for food and carry out traditional uses; and

Consider the views of First Nation and Métis communities and, where necessary, work with

the community(s) to avoid or minimize adverse impacts on First Nation and Métis ability to

hunt, fish and trap for food and carry out traditional uses.



5 Consultation Methods and Activities

5.1 Methods

A variety of methods have and will be used to consult and engage with potentially affected First

Nation and Métis communities as out lined below:

Meetings and one-on-one discussions with the Chief and Council of

o Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation,

o Black Lake Denesuline First Nation,

o Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation,

o Barren Lands First Nation,

o Northlands Denesuline First Nation,

o Councillors from the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation community of Southend (and

Kinasoo) and

o Presidents of Métis NR1 Local #19 and NR1 Local #80.

Public community meetings in Wollaston (Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation) and Black

Lake, Fond du Lac, Southend, Brochet and Lac Brochet and Stony Rapids (NR1 Local #80) .

Translation services at community meetings as warranted or requested.

Printed copies of presentations, large maps of project local and regional area and other print

media.

Radio.

Roughrider Project Toll Free Number (Established in April 2013).

Others, as requested and warranted.

5.2 Planned Activities

The following provides a list of planned activities during November of 2013 to specifically consult

and engage the First Nations and Métis communities identified by the Ministry of Environment in

the September 30, 2013 letter.

One-on-one meetings with Hatchet Lake Denésuline First Nation Chief and Council.

Community meeting Wollaston (Hatchet Lake Denésuline First Nation).

Meeting of Hatchet Lake Denésuline First Nation Women’s Forum.

One-on-one meetings with Métis NR1 Local #80 President.

Community meeting Stony Rapids (NR1 Local #80).

One-on-one meetings with NR1 Local #19 President and members.

In addition, during November 2013 RTCU will also undertake the following activities:



Maintain Roughrider Project toll free number.

Hold one-on-one meetings with Black Lake Denesuline First Nation Chief and Council.

Host a public community meeting in Black Lake.

Hold one-on-one meetings the Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation Chief and Council.

Host a public community meeting in Fond du Lac.

Hold one-on-one meetings Barren Lands First Nation Chief and Council.

Host a public community meeting in Brochet.

Hold one-on-one meetings Northlands Denesuline First Nation Chief and Council.

Host a public community meeting in Lac Brochet.

Hold one-on-one meetings with the Councillors from the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation

community of Southend.

Host a public community meeting in Southend.

Arrange to meet with the local trapper for the Roughrider Project and the chairman for Fur

Block N26.

RTCU will also make a presentation at the next scheduled meeting of the EQC.

RTCU will also provide follow-up information and conduct additional one-on-one discussions as

requested and warranted.



6 Identification of Aboriginal and Community Issues and/or Concerns

The consultation program has been and will continue to be structured to stimulate a broad

understanding of all program aspects, the potential impacts of the program and the monitoring

programs and results.

Efforts to date have been successful in involving the First Nations, Métis, the northern public and the

EQC on contribution of the identification of traditional knowledge and the determination of

Traditional Valued Ecosystem Components, issue/concerns identification and options analysis

related to the potential development of the Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program. Elements of

the plans for public information/consultation have also provided a basis for discussion of the

identification of potential new business development and the enhancement of regional business and

employment opportunities. This will continue during the preparation of the EIS.



7 Record Maintenance

All communications from all individuals, groups, organizations and community members will be

tracked and compiled. The EIS will provide data on and summarize:

Attempts to contact and steps taken to engage the First Nations and Métis communities;

All individuals, groups, organizations and communities that have been invited to

engagement activities and have attended;

The nature scope and content of activities;

Information received by RTCU from individuals, groups, organizations and communities

including, but not limited to questions, concerns, and issues raised, advice received and,

information on traditional and current lands and resource use;

Specific community and Aboriginal concerns related to potential adverse impacts on their

ability to exercise Treaty and Aboriginal rights and carry out traditional uses and how the

concerns identified were considered and addressed. As applicable, project changes made to

accommodate concerns and issues raised including potential to avoid or minimize adverse

impacts on First Nation and Métis ability to hunt, fish and trap for food and carry out

traditional uses;

Responses to information provided, questions, concerns, and issues raised during the

engagement activities including any outstanding issues that were not able to be addressed

and why; and

Any agreements developed with the communities.

Within the EIS, RTCU will explain the results of consultations in a clear and direct manner in order

to make the issues comprehensible to as wide an audience as possible.

Specifically, the EIS will:

Describe the past and ongoing consultation activities, tools employed during consultations

and any plans for further public consultation about the exploration program;

Summarize the comments made to and responses provided by RTCU during past and future

consultation with respect to the exploration program; and,

Identify the key issues of concern raised by the public (including First Nations and Métis)

and how RTCU has, or intends to, address them.

The Consultation Register (or Engagement Log) within the Environmental Impact Statement will be

separated by each individual First Nation and Métis community and will be included in the EIS in a



tabular form with the following information: Date, Activity, Participant(s), Discussion/Concerns and

Action/Mitigation Measures.



8 References

Rio Tinto 2009 The Way We Work, Our global code of business conduct, Rio Tinto,

December 2009

Documents

Terms of Reference - Environment