| Principal Investigator: | Fraser, Paul (1) |
| Licence Number: | 16401 |
| Organization: | Barr Engineering and Environmental Science Canada, Ltd. |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2018
|
| Issued: | Sep 07, 2018 |
| Project Team: | Michelle Unger, Dale Kolstad, Paul Fraser, Martyn Willan, Shawn Carter, Clell Crook |
Objective(s): To return the site and affected areas to viable, and wherever practicable, self-sustaining ecosystems that are compatible with a healthy environment and with human activities.
Project Description: In accordance with the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB) Guidelines, the overarching closure goal for former mine sites is to return the site and affected areas to viable, and wherever practicable, self-sustaining ecosystems that are compatible with a healthy environment and with human activities. To meet this closure goal, companies must demonstrate that a site is physically stable, chemically stable, does not require long-term active care, and has potential for future use. This closure goal is consistent with Teck’s approach to responsible mine closure that focuses on returning the land to a stable state for post-mining land uses and healthy ecosystems. The closure goal may be modified through engagement with stakeholders during reclamation research, and the closure and reclamation plan update process. On lease: Vegetation, surface and rooting soil including peat and organics will be sampled. Manual sampling using hand auger and shovel. Media specific samples (chemical aprepitant, seepage water, surface water). Manual sampling will be taken using clean jars, spoon bailers, hand auger and shovel. Test pits: sampling will include cover soils and tailings, and native soils. Manual sampling will be done using an excavator. On and off lease: Borings will be drilled for soils, tailings, and groundwater. Some borings will be converted to piezometers and monitoring wells. Equipment includes drill rig, bailers or pumps for groundwater. Vegetation study work will conform to Monitoring Vegetation in the Northwest Territories: A Community-Based Protocol for the Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program and use the NWT Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program community-based vegetation monitoring protocol and data templates to capture the range of natural variability in the vegetation of different site types when implementing the vegetation study. Water quality monitoring will conform with Northern Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network’s 2005 Northern waters: a guide to designing and conducting water quality monitoring in northern Canada and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Protocols Manual for Water Quality Sampling in Canada when implementing the monitoring activities. Results will be provided in annual research reports delivered to MVLWB by February 1 each year – and additional communication will be provided through stakeholder engagement (planning is currently underway). The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from September 7, to December 31, 2018.
