Polaris Mine Decommissioning and Reclamation

Little Cornwallis Island, Nunavut, Canada Mining & Metallurgy

MANDATE SNC-Lavalin Engineers & Constructors Inc. (SNC-Lavalin) was retained as the general contractor to decommission, remove and dispose of all facilities and structures at TeckCominco’s Polaris Mine in Nunavut, and to excavate and dispose of the contaminated soils.

DESCRIPTION Polaris underground zinc-lead mine was the world’s most northerly metal mine, situated 120 km northwest of Resolute, Nunavut, Canada. The mine began operations in 1981, and orebody mining was completed in the third quarter of 2002, shortly before SNC- Lavalin mobilized on the site.

The objective of the project was to ensure that, after decommissioning, the mine site was left in a condition such that the health and safety of Nunavut’s residents as well as the surrounding environment are protected. Construction personnel and support staff SECTOR OF ACTIVITY used the existing accommodation complex The project comprised four distinct Mine Rehabilitation components, namely: until near the end of the contract when the remaining personnel were moved to smaller › Removal and disposal of all aboveground CLIENT temporary accommodations so that the main structures and buildings; Teck Cominco › Removal and disposal of a dock and accommodation complex could be demolished and final clean-up could be related facilities; YEAR OF COMPLETION performed. › Excavation and disposal of metals and 2004 hydrocarbon contaminated soils; › Restoration of Garrow Lake to its original Three specialist subcontractors were hired to perform the demolition and reclamation work. TOTAL PROJECT COST water levels. CA $55,000,000

SNC-Lavalin, in its role as general contractor, SERVICES PROVIDED Construction management, project SNC-LAVALIN was responsible for executing the full CA $55,000,000 requirements of the project. management.

Due to the site’s remoteness and the short shipping season, transportation of personnel, food, materials, fuel and equipment required extensive logistical planning and scheduling to ensure the project’s success. Most of the requirements for the project were shipped to site by sea in two sealifts: one took place in September 2002 and the other in September 2003. The sealifts were successful despite the very tight schedules.

Due to the extreme weather conditions in the High Arctic, the work was originally scheduled between April and September of each year. However, the volume of contaminated soil encountered was three times more than envisaged, thereby necessitating work to extend into the winter seasons.

SECC-0009-2018