Mining reported that an iron ore project in northeastern Canada whose proponent is calling the next Consolidated Thompson has taken an important step forward.

Alderon Iron Ore Corporation has begun filing material to start the federal and provincial environmental assessment process. The application would allow Alderon to double future annual production at its Kami Project in Quebec Labrador to 16 million tonnes of iron ore concentrate annually.

Alderon's plan is to ship the material to the port of Sept Iles for export to Asia via common rail carrier. Powerlines running from Churchill Falls hydroelectric power station are located 15 kilometers from the Kami property.

A preliminary economic assessment released in September envisions an 8 million tonne per year open cast mine operation with a minelife of 15.3 years. Production is slated to start in 2015.