Total SA's Joslyn oil sands mining project in northern Alberta will undergo a full environmental assessment by an independent panel, Canada's environment minister said Monday. The 100,000 barrel per day oil sands mine will face a public hearing and a review of its environmental impact statement, Environment Minister John Baird said in a statement. The joint panel will be appointed by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and Alberta's Energy Resources Conservation Board. Nicholas Girard, a spokesman for the Environmental Assessment Agency said it is too early to say how long the hearings will take to wrap up. "Right now we are consulting the public on the terms of reference for ... the joint review panel, but there are a number of steps prior to the holding of public hearings." Total, which agreed Monday to buy oil sands developer Synenco Energy for C$471 million ($465 million), owns 74 percent of the Joslyn project. Construction is slated to be completed in 2013, with a 100,000 barrel per day expansion wrapped up four years later. Enerplus Resources Fund holds a 15 percent stake, which is up for sale, while Japan's Inpex Holdings Inc has 10 percent, and privately held Laracina Energy Ltd owns 1 percent. (US $1=$1.01 Canadian) (Reporting by Scott Haggett; editing by Rob Wilson) REUTERS NEWS SERVICE