Closure of the Colomac Mine tailings containment area

doi:10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_109_Breadmore

Authors: Breadmore, R; Coedy, W

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_109_Breadmore

Cite As:
Breadmore, R & Coedy, W 2011, 'Closure of the Colomac Mine tailings containment area', 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. 411-420, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_109_Breadmore

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Abstract:
This paper presents the closure of the Colomac Mine tailings containment area (TCA). When the Colomac mine site reverted to Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) in 1999, the Department faced significant environmental challenges, the most pressing of which were the management of contaminated water and tailings within the TCA. Emergency measures were required to protect local and downstream environments while suitable remediation technologies were developed. Additional controls were implemented to control windblown tailings and prevent direct exposure of tailings water and solids to caribou and moose. The paper will discuss the risks, remedial approaches and performance monitoring implemented over the project life.

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