Frequently Asked Questions
Access road and port
This FAQ is designed to provide clear and transparent answers to the main questions surrounding our proposed road and port in Labrador. Project design, mitigation measures and operational details will continue to be refined through the environmental assessment process, informed by studies, regulatory review and community input. This FAQ will be regularly updated to reflect your questions and feedback and to share the most recent project developments.
If you have any other questions or comments, please feel free to email us at: engage-NL@torngatmetals.com
VISION AND Timeline
What is the vision behind the road and port in Labrador?
The access road, between the Nunavik mine site and the coast of Labrador, will provide a vital link for transporting materials to our separation plant in Sept-Îles. If the project is approved, Labrador will play a critical role, reflecting the project’s location and regional geography, with a seasonal access road and shipping port. No mining, processing or separation activities are planned in Labrador.
Convoy transport would occur only during the winter months, meaning there would be no transportation during sensitive periods such as the critical caribou calving season in late spring. Maritime transport would be limited to periods when the waters are free of ice.
Several route options were assessed in collaboration with the Nunatsiavut communities and the Innu Nation to minimize impacts on their land use, the environment and biodiversity.
What is the expected timeline for the project? Is the project approved yet?
The project has not been approved yet. It is currently going through an environmental assessment for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Since 2023, we have conducted extensive baseline studies and engaged with communities to inform the process. Community feedback and Indigenous knowledge are important inputs and help shape project design alongside regulatory requirements.
We expect to submit our EIS report in 2026. Construction cannot begin until all required studies are completed, reviewed and formally approved by regulators. Then, permitting and approvals of plans will be required, with input from Nunatsiavut Government and Innu Nation.
If approved, construction of the winter road and seasonal port could begin in the next few years, depending on permitting timelines, weather conditions and final design. Production at the Strange Lake mine site is currently slated to begin in 2030.
More information is available on the Government of Canada and Government of Newfoundland & Labrador websites. Strange Lake Rare Earth Mining Project
WINTER ACCESS ROAD
Why is the access road winter-only?
Using a winter-only road helps protect sensitive northern ecosystems and wildlife. Restricting transport to the winter months avoids disturbing critical periods for wildlife, such as the caribou calving season in late spring. It also means that travel takes place on frozen ground, which is more stable and minimizes environmental disruption.
How long is the road and where exactly does it run?
The proposed access road, when it is finally designed, would be about 170-kilometres. The single-lane winter road would connect the Strange Lake mine site in Nunavik (northern Quebec) to a new seasonal port at Voisey’s Bay in Labrador. The closest community to the port is Nain.
How often will trucks operate in winter?
Current planning includes up to one convoy of electric trucks per day during the winter period, with 5 to 10 trucks per convoy. The concentrate will be packaged in one- to two-tonne bags and loaded into sealed sea containers. Each convoy would be accompanied by an emergency vehicle for safety, and trucks would operate at a maximum speed of 55 km/h. Final operating schedules and safe operating plans will be confirmed following detailed engineering, regulatory review and continued engagement with communities.
What happens during storms or whiteout conditions?
Safety is always our top priority. All truck operations will be halted during unsafe weather. Built-in safety systems will include:
- Real-time weather monitoring.
- GPS tracking of convoys.
- Satellite and radio communication along the route.
- Emergency vehicles traveling with the convoy.
- Safe areas for stopping until weather and the road are clear.
Will the road affect snowmobile travel?
We are working to maintain and protect safe access to traditional winter travel routes, including snowmobile and ATV use. This topic will continue to be discussed with communities as operational planning advances.
Will hunting, fishing or berry picking be restricted?
The goal is to preserve traditional land use throughout the project area. Inuit- and Innu-led land use studies are currently underway to better understand how the land is used and valued. The project design will reflect this work to avoid or minimize disruption to traditional activities.
Could the winter road ever become a permanent all-season road?
The current proposal is for winter use only. There is no plan or proposal under consideration to convert the road into a permanent all-season road. Any change from a winter-only road to a permanent all-season road would require:
- A new environmental assessment.
- New regulatory approvals and permitting.
- Full community consultation.
What happens if there is a truck accident or spill on the road?
Emergency preparedness is a core part of the transportation plan. Each convoy will be GPS-tracked for real-time location monitoring and equipped with spill containment tools. Trained emergency responders familiar with local conditions will accompany convoys. A coordinated emergency response plan developed in collaboration with regulators and local communities would guide actions in the unlikely event of an incident.
What other road options were considered?
Torngat Metals evaluated several access road options. These options were assessed based on technical feasibility, environmental considerations and potential impacts on Indigenous land use. Following consultations with Nunatsiavut stakeholders and the Innu Nation, and based on detailed engineering analysis, the proposed single-lane winter road was selected as the optimal route to minimize impacts on the environment, biodiversity and Indigenous land use.
PORT AND SHIPPING
Where is the port located?
The proposed port is located in Voisey’s Bay, Labrador. It is separate from the port currently used by Vale, which is located in Anaktalak Bay.
What infrastructure will be built at the port?
If the project is approved, the port will include a fixed marine terminal designed for safe, ice-free shipping operations.
Key components will include:
- A single berth designed for vessels transporting sealed concentrate containers.
- A container yard for secure storage and staging.
- Workshop and office facilities to support daily operations.
- Fuel storage.
- Accommodation for personnel involved in trucking and shipping.
What will happen at the Labrador port?
The Labrador port would be used to receive and store sealed containers carrying rare earth concentrate from the Strange Lake mine in Quebec during the winter. In the spring and summer, when the water is ice-free, the containers will be loaded onto ships and transported to a separation plant in Sept-Îles, Quebec.
Containers would remain sealed at all times. No processing, separation or handling of the concentrate would take place in Labrador.
What types of ships will be used and how many trips will there be?
Multi-purpose cargo vessels would transport sealed containers from mid-June to late October. Each vessel is expected to make 6-7 trips during the shipping season, with a one-way journey between the port and Sept-Îles taking approximately 3.5 days. A separate supply vessel will deliver fuel to the port as needed during the ice-free period.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
How will the George River Caribou Herd be protected?
Implementing measures designed to protect the George River Caribou Herd is a top priority for Torngat Metals.
The road is designed to avoid sensitive habitats and key migration corridors. Operations will be limited to winter to avoid the spring calving season, and activity will be halted if caribou are nearby. Real-time monitoring, sloped road edges for enhanced visibility, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge and land use mapping all form part of our responsible approach.
Learn more about our caribou protection strategy.
How are fish such as Arctic char protected?
Fish habitats and water quality are addressed through project design. Known spawning and migration areas will be avoided, and water crossings will be carefully engineered with culverts and bridges designed to allow fish passage. Erosion and sediment control measures will be implemented in accordance with regulatory requirements, supported by ongoing water quality monitoring.
Is there a risk from transporting radioactive materials?
The concentrate from Strange Lake will only contain trace amounts of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), such as uranium and thorium—elements naturally found in rocks and soil in Canada and around the globe. NORM transport will comply with all regulations and guidelines to ensure that best practices are followed.
It is important to note that the materials transported through Labrador will remain sealed at all times. Our proposed transport system includes multiple layers of protection: the concentrate will be sealed in industrial-grade bags and placed in locked steel containers. This ensures that, in the unlikely event of an incident, the risk of a spill will be very low. No release into the environment is expected under normal operating conditions.
These measures are designed to meet applicable public and environmental safety requirements.
Continuous monitoring will verify compliance throughout the life of the project.
What happens when the project ends?
A full closure and reclamation plan must be submitted and approved before the project can proceed. This will ensure that land and infrastructure are responsibly managed during operations and after closure. The plan would include, as appropriate:
- Full or partial decommissioning or handover to local communities depending on needs.
- Restoring disturbed areas to natural or agreed-upon conditions.
- Long-term environmental monitoring.
Torngat Metals is required to provide financial security and is legally responsible for all cleanup, restoration and post-closure monitoring costs.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Will there be opportunities for Indigenous participation?
Indigenous participation is central to the project’s short and long-term success. We are committed to meaningful and ongoing engagement through the following activities:
- Regular dialogue and community information sessions with Indigenous communities.
- Opportunities to contribute to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
- Participation in environmental monitoring and land use studies.
- Employment, training, and business opportunities related to the transportation corridor, port development and long-term monitoring initiatives.
Will Torngat Metals sign Impact and Benefit agreements (IBAs)with Labrador's Indigenous communities?
Torngat Metals is committed to entering into meaningful benefit agreements with Indigenous communities in Labrador. Such agreements help ensure that impacts are addressed through mitigation, prevention and compensation, while economic, social and cultural benefits are shared equitably and contribute to long-term regional development.
In addition, Torngat Metals recognizes the importance of Indigenous ownership and leadership in shaping the future of the project. As a result, the company supports opportunities for equity investment by Indigenous communities, ownership of infrastructure, and partnerships.
How can Labrador residents stay informed or get involved?
We encourage Labrador residents to stay informed and to share their perspectives throughout the process. Community input will be considered at key stages of the project and will help inform ongoing planning and decision-making.
Here are some ways to stay informed and participate:
- Join community information sessions — Dates and details are shared on our website and through local communication channels.
- Review and comment on official environmental documents — Public comment periods are a key opportunity to provide feedback.
- Reach out to the Labrador project team directly — Email us anytime at engage-NL@torngatmetals.com.
- Follow us on Facebook — Stay updated with news, events and opportunities to engage.
LOCAL BENEFITS
What are the potential benefits for Labrador communities?
If the project moves forward, Torngat Metals is committed to working in partnership with Indigenous communities to generate long-term benefits that reflect local priorities, including:
- Socio-economic agreements.
- Employment and training opportunities.
- Local contracting and business partnerships.
- Ownership and partnership opportunities.
- Support for regional priorities.
- Legacy infrastructure for future developments.
Will there be employment and training opportunities for people from Labrador?
Yes. If the project is approved, Torngat Metals is committed to providing local employment and training opportunities in Labrador. This includes roles related to road construction, port operations, environmental monitoring, support services, and company operations.
Training programs will be developed in collaboration with Indigenous governments, local organizations and educational partners.
How can Indigenous businesses get involved in the project?
Torngat Metals supports early engagement with Indigenous-owned businesses and will prioritize local and Indigenous suppliers wherever possible.
Businesses requiring further information or interested in future opportunities are encouraged to contact the project team at engage-NL@torngatmetals.com and to monitor the supplier page on the website.
Page last updated: January 2026