First Mining Begins Environmental Assessment Process for Springpole Gold Project

First Mining Gold Corp. (“First Mining” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that a Project Description for the Springpole Gold Project (“Springpole” or the “Project”) has been submitted to, and subsequently accepted by, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (“the Agency”).

Acceptance of the Project Description by the Agency initiates the comment period for the screening process to determine whether a federal Environmental Assessment (“EA”) is required for Springpole.

Jeff Swinoga, Chief Executive Officer of First Mining, stated “We believe our Springpole gold project has the potential to become one of Canada’s largest new gold mines, and we are very pleased to have commenced the Environmental Assessment process, a step which marks the first major permitting milestone for Springpole. Our very experienced team, with our values-based culture, look forward to working diligently and respectfully with all stakeholders throughout the EA process.”

Having accepted the Project Description, the Agency has posted a summary of the Project Description on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry Internet Site (“CEARIS”) at http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=121863.  It now has 45 calendar days, including a 20-day public comment period (the “Review Period”), to determine whether a Federal EA is required for Springpole.  The Company expects an EA will be required due to the criteria set forth under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (the “CEAA 2012”) and associated Regulations.  The Company intends to make all official EA-related documents available for viewing on its website at www.firstmininggold.com.  These documents will also be available on CEARIS.  Upon determination that an EA is required, the Agency will commence the comment period on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) Guidelines (the “Guidelines”).  The Agency relies upon the Project Description, consultation with Indigenous groups and public comments to develop the Guidelines which First Mining will then follow to prepare the EIS.  The EIS Guidelines describe the nature, scope and extent of information for the EA, including the environmental effects that the EA must consider.  

In summary, as per CEAA 2012, the Company expects to follow the steps listed below to complete the federal EA process for Springpole:

• The Agency determines whether the Project Description is sufficient and accepts the Project Description to initiate the screening process (this first 10-day step has been completed).
   
• The screening process commences when the accepted Project Description is posted on CEARIS and is available for review and comments from the public.
   
• The Agency reviews the Project Description for 45 calendar days to determine whether an EA is required for Springpole – this includes a 20-day public comment period.
   
• If the Agency determines that an EA is required for Springpole, it will prepare and issue draft EIS Guidelines for the Project, which will be available for public review and comments.
   
• The Agency considers any public comments received on the draft EIS Guidelines, including comments from Indigenous groups and federal departments, then issues the final EIS Guidelines to the Company.
   
• With input from all stakeholders, including Indigenous groups, the Company completes its environmental studies, prepares its EIS in accordance with the Guidelines and submits the completed EIS to the Agency for review and public comments.
   
• After considering any public comments received on the EIS, the Agency drafts its EA Report (the “Report”) for the Project, solicits public comments on the draft Report, then finalizes the Report and submits it to the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
   
• The federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change issues his or her EA decision statement, thus concluding the EA process.
   
• If the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change determines that the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, the Project can then enter the permitting phase in which all permits necessary to begin construction can proceed.
   
• Indigenous and public consultation is integrated throughout the entire EA and permitting phase, with all stakeholders given four opportunities to provide comments at different stages of the federal EA process.

First Mining has already begun consultation efforts with local Indigenous communities within the Springpole area to support the EA process.  These consultation efforts with Indigenous communities will be ongoing throughout the EA process, including consultation with local municipalities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders.

In parallel with the federal EA process, First Mining has also commenced discussions with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (“MOECC”) for the purposes of entering into a Voluntary Agreement with the MOECC for Springpole and thus initiating an individual provincial EA under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.  A decision from MOECC on this is expected soon, after which Terms of Reference (“ToR”) for the provincial EA will be prepared and submitted to MOECC for review.

The ToR determines the scope of the provincial EA and what alternatives must be assessed as well as environmental aspects that could be impacted by the Project that the provincial EA must consider.  These aspects are prepared by First Mining.