My concerns and comments are…

My concerns and comments are as follows:
1. The mine is to be located totally underground, with tailings disposal underground as well. However, this still calls for a rigorous assessment of the environmental impacts to the subsurface, including permafrost and subsurface hydrogeology.
2. Details about operational electricity requirements are still not clear. Even if a long powerline were built, there is still the question of the taxpayer paying for it. Secondly, large amounts of diesel fuel will likely be needed in any case (for machinery and also for backup power), so that means environmental impacts (both from spills and from emissions) too.
3. The 300-km-plus long road is apparently to be paid for by the taxpayer. But the benefits of the mine will go to the Australians and other outside investors. Meanwhile, Canadian taxpayers will be left with future concerns pertaining to the buried tailings.
4. A full Indigenous consultation, in accordance with all UNDRIP principles, has not been done. Only two First Nations are in agreement, but others are not. Moreover, the benefits to those indigenous groups are unclear. Employment will apparently be only token. Furthermore, the rise in automation of mining means that the mine might be largely run by specialized fly-in outsiders anyway. So, when the mine reaches the end of its operational life (e.g. 11 years from now), will the Indigenous communities be any better off for the long term?
5. The environmental impact of the access road, which will run through permafrost lands (with associated melting concerns) has not been considered, even though said road is an intrinsic prerequisite for the proposed mine. The road will constitute a permanent scar on the landscape, inviting more people in the future.
6. The planned purpose of the metal mine is more batteries for EVs. But nothing is said about the need for more easy-to-use transportation options that are more cost-effective than the heavy one-person-per-car machines that have become the "standard default" of so many people today. Having more mines fosters more reinforcement of this mindless status quo.
7. With any mining project, Canadians are selling off a piece of our priceless natural heritage. How much will the royalties from this project be? For example, a minimum of one-quarter of the raw gross revenue would be reasonable. And, this should be invested in a permanent Norway-style Sovereign Wealth Fund, not wasted on routine expenses of the types currently paid for by existing taxes.