Gahcho Kué Project AEMP
AEMP Workshop, Yellowknife, April 8, 2015
Gahcho Ku Project AEMP AEMP Workshop, Yellowknife, April 8, 2015 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Gahcho Ku Project AEMP AEMP Workshop, Yellowknife, April 8, 2015 AEMP P Wor orkshop shop Agen enda da Time me: : 8:30-1:00 1:00 PM Location on: Explo lorer rer Hot Hotel l Janvier er Meet eting ng Room Confere rence nce Call
AEMP Workshop, Yellowknife, April 8, 2015
Time me: : 8:30-1:00 1:00 PM Location
lorer rer Hot Hotel l Janvier er Meet eting ng Room Confere rence nce Call Nu Number - 1-877-217-1261 Code 9293073# 1. 1. Introduction (De Beers)
2. Overview of AEMP (Golder)
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timelines
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e studies - 1996
AEMP Work rkshop shop - March arch 2013 13
rkshop hops - August 2013 13 - (As Aspect cts of the AE AEMP discussed) ed)
submitted in November 2013
AEMP Work rkshop hop - February 2014
AEMP Work rkshop hop - March 2014
September 2014
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Area 5 Area 6 Area 7 Area 4 Area 3 Area 1 Area 8 Area 2 Dyke A Dyke C Dyke D Dyke E Dyke F Dyke G
Area 5 Area 4 Area 3 Area 1 Area 8 Area 2 Area 7 Area 6 Dyke A Dyke A1 Dyke F Dyke G Dyke H Dyke
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Dyke J Dyke K Dyke L
Discharge Water ~21 Mi m3 Discharg e Water ~1.5 -2 Mi m3
Area 8 Area 6 Area 7 South Mine Rock Pile Fine PKC Facility West Mine Rock Pile Tuzo Hear ne Coarse PK pile 5034 B Dyke L A Dyke C D E F G H
I M
K N
5034 Hearne Operational Discharge Water ~3.4 Mi m3 - ~ 2months of discharge Groundwater inflows 5034 ~5,200 m3/day and Hearne ~ 3,000m3/day
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(Part I, item 2; Schedule 6, Part I)
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Preparation of an AEMP Design Plan – current to Sept 2019
assessment and measurement endpoints
components of the Receiving Environment
tissue chemistry
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– May 2015
– May of each year
evaluation Report – July 2019 (and every 3 years thereafter)
Project inception
proposed revisions to the AEMP Design Plan update
triggered
This AEMP monitoring period:
Key Project activities:
N11, and Area 7 to Area 8 (if required)
Action Levels
to Lake N11 and possibly 1 year to Area 8
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WQ Constituent EQCs Predicted Discharge Quality MAC (mg/L) MGC (mg/L) Year 1 (2017) Year 2 (2018) Ammonia 10 20 6.6 8.0 Sulphate 150 300 14 23 Nitrate 10 20 6.5 7.9 Total Phosphorus 0.03 0.06 0.02 0.03 Chloride 160 320 35 85 Fluoride 0.15 0.3 0.08 0.12 Aluminum 0.1 0.2 0.068 0.085 Chromium 0.002 0.004 0.001 0.0018 Copper 0.003 0.006 0.002 0.0024 Iron 0.4 0.8 0.2 0.29 Molybdenum 0.3 0.6 0.003 0.004 Nickel 0.09 0.18 0.0035 0.0045 Uranium 0.06 0.12 0.0012 0.0019 TSS 15 25
Monitoring Locations: – Core lakes
Lake
– Reference lakes
– Raised lakes
– Downstream lakes and streams
and Lake 410
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Reference Lakes:
lakes in terms of water and sediment quality and lower trophic communities
rence ce Lake 3 has a shallower depth, more similar water and sediment quality to core lakes, and more abundant benthic community (compared to Reference Lake 2)
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Waterbody/ Watercourse Predicted Change in Hydrology Predicted Change in Water Quality Hydrology Water Quality Plankton Sediment Quality Benthic Invertebrates Fish Habitat and Community Fish Health Fish Tissue Chemistry Lake N11 increased flow-through; increased flow at outlet; slight increase in water level negligible Y (AEMP and SNP) Y (AEMP and SNP) Y Y (AEMP and SNP) Y N Y Y Other N lakes increased flow-through some N lakes, particularly N14 negligible Y (Lakes N14 and 17) N N N N N N N Lakes D2, D3 increased water level minor changes (water and sediment quality) Y Y Y Y Y N N Y Lake J1 increased flow-through due to diversion from Lake A1 (Area 1) negligible Y N N N N N N N Area 8 increased flow-through; increased flow at outlet negligible Y (AEMP and SNP) Y (AEMP and SNP) Y Y Y N Y Y Area 8 outlet Stream K5 and L and M streams increased flow negligible Y (Stream K5) Y (Streams K5 and L2) N N Y Y (L and M Streams) N N Subset of L and M lakes increased flow-through; increased flow at outlet; minor increase in water level negligible Y (Lakes L1 and M1) Y (Lakes L2 and M4) N N N N N N Lake 410 increased flow-through; increased flow at outlet negligible Y Y N N N N N N Kirk Lake increased flow-through; increased flow at outlet negligible Y N N N N N N N East Lake none none Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Reference Lake 3 none none Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Kennady Lake Areas 2 to 7 partly dewatered, Areas 3 and 5 become WMP (not applicable) N (SNP only) N (SNP) N N N N N N
MV2005L2-0015)
phases of Gahcho Kué Mine
recommendations, where applicable, to incorporate responses into the next version of the Plan
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Concern:
be reduced based on monitoring results?
Correct response:
indicate the expectation that following the cessation of operational discharge to Lake N11 (at the end of Year 3), measurement endpoints would begin to trend back to existing conditions
parameter due to prior monitoring results, particularly during the operational discharge may occur (e.g., a low action level trigger or the result of a special study)
reflect these considerations
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Concern
version of the AEMP is in place Monitoring Plan
version will be annual during 2015 to 2019 (not 2015 to 2018 as stated in the IR response)
for the 2020 AEMP or future AEMPs will be discussed in the AEMP re-evaluation report to be submitted in July 2019, and proposed in the next AEMP Design Plan, due September 2019
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Concern
referenced in the AEMP and the AEMP should describe how the results gathered in these monitoring programs will be evaluated in the AEMP Monitoring Plan
agreement
input of this group as well as ongoing community meetings
including several TK indicators, including fish-tasting
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Concern:
Monitoring Plan:
criteria:
and sediment quality samples
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Concern:
after the Project has commenced? Monitoring Plan:
Area 8, Lake N11, L and M lakes, and Lake 410.
changes
reasonable approach for plankton
effects are likely to occur
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Concern:
criteria be reviewed and revised with consideration for the sediment quality benchmarks and normal ranges. Monitoring Plan:
range, OR relative difference between core lake and reference lakes statistically significant compared to baseline; AND
action level is set to include both normal range and benchmark exceedances
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Concern:
Monitoring Plan:
be initiated as part of response planning if a Low Action level is reached
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Concern:
for WQ – exceedance of EIS predictions warrant further investigation regardless if AEMP benchmarks are not exceeded Monitoring Plan:
benchmark; AND
between core lake and reference lakes compared to baseline
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General Criteria
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Water Quality
Substances of potential toxicological concern Measured toxicity at end-of-pipe
Lake-wide concentration greater than normal range supported by a temporal trend AND Concentration exceeds 75% of AEMP benchmark AND Divergence of trends in concentrations compared to those in reference lakes Persistent sublethal toxic effects to test organisms
AND No sublethal toxic effects for fish in end-of-pipe samples Water Quality
Substances of potential toxicological concern Measured toxicity at end-of-pipe
Lake-wide average concentration greater than normal range and supported by a visual temporal trend AND Lake-wide average concentration exceeds 75% of AEMP benchmark AND Relative difference between core lake and reference lakes statistically significant compared to baseline (i.e., significant BACI effect detected) Sublethal toxic effects to test organisms other than fish in three consecutive end-of-pipe samples Version 3 Version 4
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Sediment Quality Concentration exceeding AEMP benchmarks(b) as a result of the Mine(c) AND Concentration is greater than normal range AND Divergence of trends in concentrations compared to those in reference lakes Sediment Quality Concentration at AEMP station nearest the discharge is greater than normal range, OR relative difference between core lake and reference lakes statistically significant compared to baseline (i.e., significant BACI effect detected) AND Concentration at AEMP station nearest the discharge exceeds AEMP benchmark Version 3 Version 4
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Plankton Community A decline below the normal range in total phytoplankton biomass, or zooplankton abundance
AND Divergence of trends in total phytoplankton biomass, or zooplankton abundance or biomass, compared to those in reference lakes Plankton Community Lake-wide average value for total phytoplankton biomass, zooplankton abundance, or zooplankton biomass less than normal range OR Relative difference in total phytoplankton biomass, zooplankton abundance, or zooplankton biomass, between core lake and reference lakes statistically significant compared to baseline (i.e., significant BACI effect detected) Version 3 Version 4
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Benthic Community Decline below the normal range in total density, richness or densities of dominant taxa AND Divergence of trends in total density, richness, or densities of dominant taxa compared to those in reference lakes Benthic Community Lake-wide average value for total density, richness or densities of dominant taxa less than normal range OR Relative difference in total density, richness, or densities
statistically significant compared to baseline (i.e., significant BACI effect detected) Version 3 Version 4
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Fish Health Statistically significant difference in fish health endpoints or fish tissue chemistry that is beyond normal range AND Change is in direction, and of magnitude, that is indicative of an impairment to fish health Fish Health Average value for fish health endpoint outside of normal range and in the direction that is indicative of a toxicological effect AND A statistically significant difference in fish health endpoint relative to reference lakes that exceeds the critical effect size Version 3 Version 4 Fish Tissue Average value for fish tissue chemistry parameter above normal range AND A statistically significant difference in fish tissue chemistry parameter relative to reference lakes and relative to baseline
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Fish Consumption by Humans Fish Good to Eat Fish taste and/or texture not acceptable. OR Metals in edible fish tissue above normal range. Fish Consumption by Humans Fish Good to Eat Fish taste and/or texture that is not acceptable AND Average concentration of a metal in edible fish tissue above normal range Version 3 Version 4
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Drinking Water for Humans Water Must be Drinkable Drinking water parameter at any location above 75% of HC human health or aesthetic drinking WQG Drinking Water for Humans Water Must be Drinkable Concentration of a drinking water parameter at any location above 75% of Health Canada’s human health or aesthetic drinking water quality guideline Version 3 Version 4
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Water Quality Concentrations exceeding EIS predictions supported by temporal trend AND Exceeding 75% of AEMP Benchmark AND Divergence of trends in concentrations compared to those in reference lakes Water Quality Lake-wide average concentration exceeds EIS predictions and exceedance is supported by a visual temporal trend AND Lake-wide average concentration exceeds 75% of AEMP benchmark AND Relative difference between core lake and reference lakes statistically significant compared to baseline (i.e., significant BACI effect detected) Version 3 Version 4
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Plankton Community Persistent increase beyond the normal range in total phytoplankton or zooplankton biomass OR An ecologically relevant change in phytoplankton
AND Divergence of trends in total phytoplankton or zooplankton biomass, compared to those in reference lakes Plankton Community Lake-wide average value for total phytoplankton biomass, zooplankton abundance, or zooplankton biomass persistently (three consecutive years) above normal range OR An ecologically relevant change in phytoplankton or zooplankton community composition OR A statistically significantly relative difference in total phytoplankton biomass, or zooplankton abundance or biomass, between core lake and reference lakes compared to baseline (i.e., significant BACI effect detected) Version 3 Version 4
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Benthic Community Increases above normal range(a) in total density, richness, or densities of dominant taxa AND Divergence of trends in total density, richness or densities of dominant taxa compared to reference lakes Benthic Community Lake-wide average value for total density, richness or densities of dominant taxa greater than normal range OR Relative difference in total density, richness, or densities
statistically significant compared to baseline (i.e., significant BACI effect detected) Version 3 Version 4
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Fish Health Statistically significant difference in fish health endpoints or fish tissue chemistry that is beyond normal range AND Change is in direction, and of magnitude, that is indicative of an impairment to fish health Version 3 Version 4 Fish Health Average value for fish health endpoint outside of normal range and in the direction that is indicative of a nutrient enrichment effect AND A statistically significant difference in fish health endpoint relative to reference lakes that exceeds the critical effect size Fish Tissue Average value for fish tissue chemistry parameter above normal range AND A statistically significant difference in fish tissue chemistry parameter relative to reference lakes and relative to baseline
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Hydrology Open water: Flows exceed the 2-year flow level during pumping (dewatering and operational discharges) OR Evidence of widespread bank instability (i.e., bank slumping in the range of 0.5 m by 3 m in length, or greater) Under ice: Water levels (piezometric head) in lakes along the dewatering flow path exceed the 10-year water level during pumping (dewatering and operational discharges) OR Channels along the dewatering flow path exhibit large scale and progressive aufeis buildup above the bankfull elevation causing an increase in upstream lake water levels Version 3 = Version 4
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Benthic Community Decreases below normal range(a) in total density, richness, and densities of dominant taxa, indicating scouring AND Change in community composition indicating an adverse flow-related effect Benthic Community Average value for total density, richness or densities of dominant taxa less than normal range, indicating scouring AND Change in community composition indicating an adverse flow-related effect Version 3 Version 4
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Fish Habitat, Community and Health Changes in fish habitat, community or health
effects related to increased water level (beyond EIS predictions) OR Changes in fish habitat, community or health
effects related to increased flow (beyond of EIS predictions) Version 3 = Version 4
variability? (Comparison to normal range)
core lakes consistent with the reference lakes? (Statistical comparison using a Before-After Control Impact [BACI] design)
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95%
unrealistic bounds
range for an individual observation (this is not an early warning indicator)
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the normal range
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the mean of some number (m) observations
If we have one value of a measurement endpoint: Is the observed value outside the expected range of values that we would see if the mine wasn’t there? If we have 10 randomly selected values: Is the average of the 10 observed values outside of the range of where the average of 10 samples would be if the mine wasn’t there?
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6 to 18
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average of their ages to the range 6 to 18?
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10 to 14)
average of 10 students being 7 or 17
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endpoint
On average, are the observed values outside of the range of values that we would see if the mine wasn’t there?
the time if there are no mine-related effects)
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the reference sites?
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Pulse Press
be linked to climate change or fires)
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General Criteria for Low Action Level
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detected in year 1
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