Monitoring after mine remediation – planning considerations and lessons learned in northern Canada

Authors: Pike, E Download Paper

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_97_Pike

Cite As:
Pike, E 2011, 'Monitoring after mine remediation – planning considerations and lessons learned in northern 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. 293-300, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_97_Pike



Abstract:
As most mines leave waste deposited on site, there is a need to monitor the mine site long after mine closure. Through remediating a number of abandoned mine sites in the Northwest Territories, Canada, the Northern Contaminated Sites Programme has identified some key considerations and lessons learned for planning mine closure and monitoring. The most important consideration is to scope out monitoring requirements at the remediation planning stage, alongside developing remediation objectives for each mine site component and/or waste stream. This ensures: a better evaluation of remedial options; expectations of regulators and stakeholders are managed properly; and risks and liabilities are identified and mitigated appropriately. This also helps to define a monitoring end point. This paper also discusses other lessons learned and monitoring considerations such as defining the main drivers for short and long-term monitoring, considerations for scope and frequency of monitoring, and other considerations such as health and safety and site infrastructure, third party factors, adaptive management, and documentation and institutional controls.

References: