Progressive reclamation and environmental programmes during pre-operations at the New Afton Copper-Gold Mine, Canada

Authors: Schmitt, R; Ames, S; Freeman, S; Wilson, D; Anderson, M; Mcgrath, J Download Paper

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_30_Schmitt

Cite As:
Schmitt, R, Ames, S, Freeman, S, Wilson, D, Anderson, M & Mcgrath, J 2011, 'Progressive reclamation and environmental programmes during pre-operations at the New Afton Copper-Gold Mine, Canada', 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. 271-279, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_30_Schmitt



Abstract:
New Gold Inc. is developing the underground New Afton Copper-Gold Mine 10 km west of Kamloops, British Columbia (BC) in the traditional territory of the Secwepemc Nation. Development of the mine involves construction of a new mill, underground workings and tailings storage facility adjacent to the historic Afton mine infrastructure. Design and layout of the New Afton Mine has ensured where practicable, that new infrastructure and land alteration is placed within areas formerly disturbed by mining, and surface materials of any new disturbed areas are salvaged, inventoried, and stored for progressive and future reclamation needs. As mine development proceeds, an aggressive programme of biological and labour-intensive invasive plant management has been implemented; new wildlife habitat constructed and monitored, and geochemical studies on cycloned tailings sands initiated. The semi-arid environment poses unique challenges to long-term restoration of agricultural production on the affected ALR lands, unlike BC mines in temperate environments. New Gold has committed to a progressive environmental programme in collaboration with First Nations. The New Afton reclamation and sustainability programme has oversight by a Mine Monitoring Board.

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