Canadian Zinc Corp. announced that the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board has approved the proposed operation of the Prairie Creek Mine in the Northwest Territories. The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board issued its Report of Environmental Assessment and Reasons for Decision for Canadian Zinc's proposed Prairie Creek Mine on December 8, 2011 and submitted the Report and Decision to the Honourable John Duncan, Federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. The Review Board has concluded that the proposed development of the Prairie Creek Mine is not likely to have any significant adverse impacts on the environment or to be a cause for significant public concern. The Review Board has therefore concluded that an environmental impact review of this proposed development is not necessary and that the Prairie Creek Mine project should proceed to the regulatory phase for approvals. The Review Board has provided three suggestions that would improve the monitoring and management of potential impacts from the development of the Prairie Creek Mine. Suggestion #1: The Review Board notes that construction of a second water storage pond may address a broader range of risks and result in better water management on site and improved water quality in Prairie Creek. The Review Board suggests that the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board consider this during the licensing phase. Suggestion #2: The Review Board suggests that Canadian Zinc prepare a Tailings Management Plan for both the permanent storage of tailings underground and the temporary storage of tailings on surface at the mine site. The Review Board suggests that this Plan should be part of the water licence. Suggestion #3: The Review Board suggests that the Company use secondary containment of concentrate during transport along the winter road to reduce the risk of contaminant dispersal.