International Graphite Inc. Convicted for Failing to Comply With the Fisheries Act

SUNDRIDGE, Ontario, January 27, 2005 - International Graphite Inc. of Woodstock, Ontario was convicted on January 18, 2005, for failing to comply with the Fisheries Act. The Ontario Court of Justice in Sundridge heard that on November 12, 2002, the company, which has custodial control over a mine site near the Town of Kearney, Ontario, failed to comply with a direction of an Environment Canada inspector. The company was fined $1,000.

In addition, an Order was made under section 79.2 of the Act requiring certain other measures to be taken. Specifically, the company is required to pay an amount of $7,500 to the Kearney Watershed Environmental Foundation – a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a sustainable environment and ecology in the Town of Kearney. The company is also required to develop and implement a procedure to control the off-site movement of potentially acutely lethal effluent within three months of conviction and upgrade a collection system for mill yard drainage within 12 months of conviction.

Environment Canada’s inspectors and fishery officers investigate potential offences under both the Fisheries Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. They help ensure that companies, government employees and the general public comply with legislation and regulations that protect Canada’s environment.

Under the Fisheries Act, inspectors may issue a Direction requiring alleged offenders to take immediate action to prevent the deposit of a deleterious substance in waters frequented by fish.

Environment Canada laid the charges following an investigation which involved cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of Environment, the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

For more information, please contact:

Bradley May
Head of Investigations
Emergencies and Enforcement Division
(416) 739-5901

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