Kitimat B.C. –  The  Provincial Environmental Assessment Office has issued an  environmental assessment certificate to Rio Tinto Alcan for the planned  Terminal A extension project in Kitimat. 

The extension is necessary as RTA has  entered into an agreement  for  its Terminal B facility with LNG Canada Development for the shipping of LNG.

The extension project  would see the Terminal A wharf  lengthened by  up to 250 metres and the replacement of existing facilities  to allow the import and export of bulk materials.

The project also includes a barge ramp, tug dock and  laydown area.

The project will see  dredging done over three years, construction  will take more than three years, and the extension is expected to be  in operation for  more than 50 years.

The   certificate  has 12 conditions attached to it,   most of which deal with the protection of marine mammals and activities associated  with  the dredging.

The  project must still  achieve other  provincial and Federal approvals before  it can proceed.