Sustainable Development and Risk Assessment in Mine Closure ⎯ Case Study of Elliot Lake Uranium Mines, Canada

Authors: Wiber, M; Berthelot, D Paper is not available for download Contact Us

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/605_2

Cite As:
Wiber, M & Berthelot, D 2006, 'Sustainable Development and Risk Assessment in Mine Closure ⎯ Case Study of Elliot Lake Uranium Mines, Canada', in AB Fourie & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2006: Proceedings of the First International Seminar on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 95-106, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/605_2



Abstract:
In June 2001, BHP and Billiton merged to create what is now the world's largest diversified resources company with some 37000 employees working in more than 100 operations in over 25 countries. Through this merger, the company inherited closed mining properties in a number of jurisdictions. BHP Billiton adopted a leading practice Closure Standard in July 2004 that is being implemented at all BHP Billiton sites worldwide. It provides a framework which ties closure planning to a set of objectives that clearly support the Company’s Charter, its sustainable development policy and commitment to zero harm. In addition, the BHP Billiton Closure Standard is in line with the International Council on metal mining’s ten principles for sustainable development. In the Base Metals business unit, closed mine sites are located in 3 countries and include over 25 properties in various stages of closure. Included in this number are the 9 Rio Algom Limited, Elliot Lake uranium mine properties that were first developed in the 1950s (Table 1). This paper will focus on how the latest practices in risk assessment and closure planning are applied for these properties 10 – 20 years into the post-closure period. Important elements of the long term plan sustainability will be touched on, including cumulative effects assessment and communications. Table 1 Rio Algom Limited, summary of Elliot Lake uranium operations Mine Water Treatment Tailings Area Mine Site Or Tailings Operating Period Size Ha Closure Method Million T Buckles 1957-1958 NA - Keep saturated - Milliken 1958-1964 NA 23 Tailings to Stanleigh 0.08 Lacnor 1957-1960 Treat at Nordic 27 Soil cover, vegetated 2.7 Nordic1 1957-1968 Lime 117 Direct Vegetation 12 Stanleigh 1958-1960 1983-1996 Lime and BaCl 411 Water covered 21 Spanish American 1958-1959 NA 12 Water covered 0.5 Panel 1958-1961 1979-1990 Lime and BaCl 123 Water covered 16 Quirke I and II 1956-1961 1968-1990 Lime and BaCl 192 Water covered 46 Pronto2 1955-1960 Lime and BaCl 47 Direct vegetation and paper mill sludge cover for fines 4.4 1. Includes 0.04 Mt of contaminated sediment consisting of fine tailings and Ba(Ra)SO4 in 10.3 ha Buckles Creek 2. Includes 2.1 Mt of uranium tailings and 2.3 Mt of copper tailings Mine Closure 2006 ― Andy Fourie and Mark Tibbett (eds) © 2006 Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, ISBN 0-9756756-6-4 Mine Closure 2006, Perth, Australia 95

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