The Canada Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) is opening up its joint review panel to public comments for the proposed C$20.6 billion (US$16.1 billion), two-phase project scheduled to produce first oil by 2026, pending approval.

The 260,000 barrels per day operation is considered one of the most expensive and newest oil sands mining projects proposed for the Athabasca oil sands region since commodity prices began falling at the onset of the global economic downturn in 2014.

Construction