Authors: Webster, M


DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_100_Webster

Cite As:
Webster, M 2011, 'Beaverlodge uranium mine closure – balancing current expectations with past practices', in AB Fourie, M Tibbett & A Beersing (eds), Mine Closure 2011: Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 319-328, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_100_Webster

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Abstract:
The former Beaverlodge uranium mining and milling properties are located in the northwest corner of Saskatchewan, Canada and were operated by Eldorado Mining & Refining Ltd., a former federal crown corporation, between 1952 and 1982. Decommissioning and reclamation of the Beaverlodge properties was completed in 1985. With the establishment of closure end-point objectives agreed to by both the federal and provincial regulatory agencies, the properties entered a period of transition phase monitoring, originally envisioned to last ten years. However, with no formal exit agreement or strategy in place, transition phase monitoring has continued to this day. In 2007 the province of Saskatchewan brought forth an innovative approach to the long-term management of decommissioned industrial properties. The province’s institutional control program provides industry with clear direction and expectations that once they meet their obligations for decommissioning there will be a responsible authority to accept custodial responsibility of the property in perpetuity. Some of the Beaverlodge properties have recently been transferred to institutional control, while the rest remain in the transition phase. Cameco Corporation, responsible for the management of the properties on behalf of the Canadian government, has collaborated with the regulatory agencies and stakeholders to develop a management framework to guide the assessment and decision-making process regarding potential additional remedial activities for the Beaverlodge properties. The management framework seeks to balance current decommissioning expectations with the presence of legacy issues and past close-out agreements, ultimately relying on benefit-cost evaluation to arrive at final criterion that is acceptable to the majority of the relevant stakeholders. By working through the management framework process, the remaining Beaverlodge properties should eventually meet decommissioning expectations and be allowed to transfer to institutional control.

References:
Eldorado Nuclear Limited (1982) Decommissioning of the Beaverlodge Mine/Mill Operation and Reclamation of the Site, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Report #1 (unpublished), pp. 2-1–2-9.
Eldorado Resources Limited (1983) Plan for the Close-out of the Beaverlodge Site – Decommissioning of the Beaverlodge Mine/Mill Operations and Reclamation of the Site, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Report #5 (unpublished), pp. 1-1–2-9.
Environment Saskatchewan (1975) Water Quality Objectives, February 1977 edition, Water Pollution Control Branch, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, 2nd edition, 16 p.
MacLaren Plansearch Inc. (1983) Operating History and Environmental Conditions – Decommissioning of the Beaverlodge Mine/Mill Operations and Reclamation of the Site, created for Eldorado Resources Limited, by MacLaren Plansearch Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Report #2 (unpublished), pp. 1-1–3-22.
Saskatchewan Environment (2006) Surface Water Quality Objectives, 2006 Interim Edition, Drinking Water Quality Section, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, EBP 356, 11 p., viewed 26 July 2011, ca/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=768,760,253.
Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources (2009) Institutional Control Program – Post Closure Management of Decommissioned Mine/Mill Properties Located on Crown Land in Saskatchewan, Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, 25 p., viewed 20 June 2011, ,3385,5460,2936,Documents&MediaID=27542&Filename=RISADiscussionPaperDec09pdf.pdf.
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