Expansion of an iron ore storage area and extension of the railway

The Société ferroviaire et portuaire de Pointe-Noire (SFPPN) is proposing to increase the capacity of its iron ore handling and storage yard located on the grounds of the Port of Sept-Îles, in the Pointe-Noire sector in Sept-Îles, Quebec. An expansion of 9,500 m² will be developed south of the existing area, allowing additional storage capacity of 200,000 metric tonnes. It should be noted that this development and a storage capacity totaling 2,000,000 metric tonnes on the storage area were authorized in 2009, however the work had not been completed in full and the current plans may differ. Blasting approximately 20,000 m³ of rock will be required to construct the new storage section which will be sealed with a bentonite mat overlaid with a low density polyethylene (LDPE) geomembrane and then with a drainage geocomposite. A ditch also covered with waterproof membranes will collect the runoff from this section and direct it via a network of underground pipes and ditches, to a pumping basin located between towers 2000-TT-001 and 002, then to a drainage system. treatment at the SFPPN site. The project also includes the addition of a 275-meter section of railway at the east end of the existing track, which represents 548 m² of area added to the current route, in addition to 6,535 m² of road surface area of iron. Part of it was authorized in 2009, but the final route is different. The track extension east of the rocker arm will require approximately 40,000 m³ of fill which will come in part from the rock blasting work required for the construction of the new storage section.

The Port of Sept-Îles is inviting the public to comment on the issues that this project may present. All comments received on this subject will be considered public. For more information, please see the privacy notice on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (the Registry) web page. Submit any comments on the Registry page.