DE BEERS CANADA INC., SNAP LAKE MINE 2017 COMMUNITY UPDATE
DEB RS INTRODUCTION
SNAP LAKE MINE • De Beers Canada Snap Lake Mine remains in suspended operations. During this period we will continue to evaluate options for: • Optimization of Extended Care and Maintenance; • Sale to a Qualified Operator; and, • Closing the mine. • In 2016 De Beers went through a Sales Process, upon conclusion the decision was made to close the underground workings allowing them to flood. This limits our mine water discharge to freshet volumes reducing impacts on the environment. • All mine infrastructure that could have contaminated the environment (mobile equipment and hydrocarbons as examples) was then removed from the underground and the workings were allowed to flood (February 2017). De Beers worked closely with the GNWT Inspectors to ensure that closure commitments were achieved. • As of May 2016 the mine water levels reached equilibrium with Snap Lake. 2 The De Beers Group of Companies
CARE AND MAINTENANCE • Care and Maintenance (suspension of operations) means that mining operations have ceased. • The length of Care and Maintenance may be 3 years or more, dependent on economic conditions and technological improvements. • In this period De Beers will make the mine safe for humans, wildlife and the environment, while maintaining mine infrastructure. • Wherever possible, De Beers will explore the use of remote monitoring and technology to supplement on-site activities. • Snap Lake e will l alw lways have e the abili ility to resume oper eratio ions s in the future when en economic onomic condit onditio ions s impr mprove. 3 The De Beers Group of Companies
EXTENDED CARE AND MAINTENANCE • Priority is centered on protection and health and safety of human occupants, wildlife and the environment • All environmental monitoring required by licence, permit or environmental agreement will continue until otherwise approved • Non-essential infrastructure and services will be secured and “put to sleep” or modified to conserve energy and maintenance requirements. Any infrastructure that will deteriorate over time will be removed from the Mine. • Water management and treatment capacity are being evaluated to mitigate seasonal flows with options on cover and sump management. 4 The De Beers Group of Companies
Future MVLWB Submissions De Beers will continue with regulatory processes that accommodate the status of the project and the potential re-evaluations of mine operations. These main processes include: • A Land Use Permit Application in 2017 (~September 2016) • A Water License Renewal for 2020 5 The De Beers Group of Companies
DEB RS Interim Closure and Reclamation Plan Engagement on Closure Criteria
INTERIM CLOSURE AND RECLAMATION PLAN • In 2018 De Beers Snap Lake Mine is required to provide the MVLWB an updated Interim Closure and Reclamation Plan and Security Estimate. • With this update De Beers is required to develop reclamation criteria that will satisfy the objectives approved in 2013 for the Snap Lake Mine by the MVLWB. 7 The De Beers Group of Companies
Ammo monium ium Nitrat trate Emuls lsio ion Plant ant Storage Facili cility Airstrip ip North th Pile le Disposal osal Layd ydown wn Area ea Fac acilit lity Organic anics Pile le Water r Mana nageme ment nt Pond nd Fuel l Storag rage Camp mp Area ea Fac acilit litie ies Proc ocess essing ing Fac acilit ility Wareh rehous ouses es and d Worksh rkshops ops Mine ne Offic ices/Ma /Maint intena enance nce shops ops Treat eated ed Water Disch charg arge Water r Trea eatm tment ent Plant ant Inta take Vent ent Raise ise 8 The De Beers Group of Companies
OBJECTIVE CATEGORIES AND THEIR MAJOR MINE COMPONENTS Site Wide e (SW): Infras astruc tructure ure (I): • Includes everything on site • Airstrip • Roads North h Pile e (NP): • Water management structures (sumps, ditches, and water management pond) Water treatment plant • Entire structure of the North Pile • • Water management structures are an • Buildings infrastructure component • Sewage treatment plant • Processing facilities • Rock pads Under dergr groun ound d Mine e (UG): • Laydown areas • Exploration pits • All aspects of the underground mine that are • Vent and portal structures at surface below ground. • Quarry Vent and portal openings are an • • Diffuser and related piping infrastructure component 9 The De Beers Group of Companies
CLOSURE OBJECTIVE AND CRITERIA SITE WIDE (SW) 10 The De Beers Group of Companies
CLOSURE OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA SITE WIDE (SW) Objecti tive SW1 – Dust levels safe for people, Criteria eria vegetation, aquatic life and wildlife. 1. Physi sica cal l Stabil ility ity SW2 - Drainage pathways for surface runoff Not applicable this is a chemical objective. are physically stable. 2. Chemica ical Stabi bili lity ty SW3 - Surface runoff and seepage water • Ambient air quality shall not exceed the NWTAAQS. quality that is safe for people, vegetation, • Dustfall shall not exceed the AAAQG. aquatic life, and wildlife. • Satisfactory results of post-closure wildlife risk assessment completed by a qualified SW4 - Mine areas are physically stable and person. safe for use by people and wildlife. Aquatic life addressed within SW3. SW5 - Landscape features (shape and 3. Future ture Use and Aesth thetics tics vegetation) match aesthetics of the De Beers seeks Traditional Knowledge to understand whether the chemical objective will surrounding natural area. achieve the desired future use and aesthetics post closure. SW6 - Safe passage and use for Caribou and other wildlife. SW7 - Re-vegetation targeted to priority areas. 11 The De Beers Group of Companies
CLOSURE OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA SITE WIDE (SW) Objectiv tive SW1 – Dust levels safe for people, vegetation, aquatic life and wildlife. Criteria eria SW2 - Drainage pathways for surface runoff are physically stable. 1. Physi sica cal l Stabil ility ity Acceptable results of visual monitoring for deformation and degradation completed as SW3 - Surface runoff and seepage water part of site geotechnical inspections completed by a professional engineer. quality that is safe for people, vegetation, aquatic life, and wildlife. 2. Chemic ical Stabil ility ty Not applicable as this is a physical objective. SW4 - Mine areas are physically stable and 3. Future ture Use and Aesth thetics tics safe for use by people and wildlife. This is a physical objective that will be dictated by best engineering practices/design. Input is required on any Traditional Knowledge that would be applicable in the final SW5 - Landscape features (shape and design. vegetation) match aesthetics of the surrounding natural area. SW6 - Safe passage and use for Caribou and other wildlife. SW7 - Re-vegetation targeted to priority areas. 12 The De Beers Group of Companies
CLOSURE OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA SITE WIDE (SW) Objectiv tive Criteria eria SW1 – Dust levels safe for people, vegetation, aquatic life and wildlife. 1. Physi sica cal l Stabil ility ity Not applicable – This is a chemical objective. Physical stability criteria is provided in NP1. SW2 - Drainage pathways for surface runoff are physically stable. 2. Chemica ical Stabi bili lity ty SW3 - Surface runoff and seepage water In-lake site specific water quality objectives to be proposed at a future date prior to Final quality that is safe for people, vegetation, Closure Plan and will meet requirements of MVEIRB and the MVLWB. aquatic life, and wildlife. 3. Future ture Use and Aesth thetics tics As per EA 1314-02 Measure 1 parts a through c. De Beers will satisfy water quality objectives SW4 - Mine areas are physically stable and so that: safe for use by people and wildlife. a) The aquatic ecosystem is protected so that fish populations and fish species composition SW5 - Landscape features (shape and are not adversely affected compared to pre-mining conditions. vegetation) match aesthetics of the surrounding natural area. b) Water in Snap Lake is safe to drink according to the health-based standards of Health Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (August 2012 edition). SW6 - Safe passage and use for Caribou and other wildlife. c) Fish are safe to eat in Snap Lake. SW7 - Re-vegetation targeted to priority areas. 13 The De Beers Group of Companies
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