Rarely is there a project that can't meet EA hurdles. In most cases it’s a matter of the project being able to bear the costs. Without a doubt meeting environmental rules is the minimum but getting the EA is more about the layout/plan of the project being acceptable to the influential stakeholders than anything else.

You may have to swing your road by a local community for them to support it, ensure 50% aboriginal employment; underground vs open pit, etc. Once had to put a 12 foot diameter culvert in to satisfy a federal requirement that a creek be navigable by canoe even though no canoe would probably ever use the creek. Know of another project in the states that had to hire crossing guards for Dessert Tortoise (endangered/threatened species) to cross a mining road, tortoise had the right away over mine trucks. You may try to bash your way through the process but it’s a heck of a lot easier to have some friends and support when going through the process.

No EA means you’re in limbo or back to the drawing board. No way will you get any other permits/funding arrangements/etc until you can get signoff on your EA. If NOT is planning on announcing their EA by the 20th good things are definitely happening behind the scenes.

..... Been There