Rio Algom Limited & Denison Mines Inc. Community Newsletter 2016

Elliot Lake Dams: Dam Safety and Emergency Response

Dams play an important role in tion of cracks in the surface, or the In addition to the substantial effort A high water table (close to the sur- the safe operation of both Rio Al- effects of erosion such as wind or that RAL and DMI apply to main- face) at the Pronto TMA serves to gom Ltd. (RAL) and Denison Mines water. Further, the dams are kept taining the Elliot Lake dams, both reduce acid generation. However, Inc. (DMI) closed mine sites. Most free of any vegetation as penetra- companies have focused their ef- in the eastern portion of the TMA, of the tailings management areas tion of roots can undermine dam forts in the area of emergency re- the saturation extended to surface are submerged in order to pre- stability. Finally, annual geotechni- sponse planning for the sites. In which hindered traditional direct vent them from oxidizing (react- cal Dam Safety Inspections (DSIs) 2016, RAL and DMI have conduct- liming and seeding and as such a ing) with open air, and a system of by the engineers-of-record are ar- ed several joint exercises with the successful vegetative cover could dams, berms, dykes and spillways ranged in order to ensure the dams City of Elliot Lake and various first not be maintained. To resolve this helps maintain the water cover. stay within design specifications responders to improve and better problem, rock-lined drainage ways All dams in the Elliot Lake area are for all of the above-mentioned risk integrate the emergency prepared- were installed in the eastern por- subject to a rigorous program of factors. ness of all parties in the event of tion of the TMA during the winter dam maintenance. The dam main- a potential incident at one of the of 1999 and 2000. Then six tonnes/ tenance program involves inspect- Every five to seven years, RAL and sites. ha of limestone and 500 kg/ha of ing the dams for any evidence of DMI also contract an additional fertilizer were applied to bare ar- structural distress including shift- safety study by third-party engi- eas in the spring of 1999 and a 30 ing or slumping of the dam, forma- neers in order to comply with ap- cm depth of biosolids (in the form plicable regulations and ensure of paper mill sludge) were spread dam safety. These studies are called over a 20.9 ha area from 1999 to Inside This Dam Safety Reviews (DSRs) and are 2001. These measures have been systematic reviews and evaluations effective in maintaining a 100% Newsletter... of all aspects of design, construc- vegetative cover following pro- • Elliot Lake Dams: Dam tion, maintenance, operation, and Denison Mine - Dam 10 gram completion in 2001. Safety and Emergency surveillance, along with other fac- Current activities at the site in- Response tors, processes and systems affect- Pronto: A History clude seasonal water treatment • Pronto: A History ing dam safety. The DSR includes through a lime treatment plant, re- • Quirke Lake Fire all components of each “dam sys- moval of vegetation from site dams, inspections of the cover and facil- • Water Quality in tem” including the dam itself, spill- The Pronto tailings management area (TMA) is located on the north ity conditions, and environmental the Serpent River way, foundation, abutments, and even the tailings management area side of Highway 17, approximate- monitoring. The site complies with Watershed being maintained. The most impor- ly 10 km east of Blind River. The all environmental regulations and • Community Interaction tant aspect, is that the DSR evalu- Pronto mine operated from 1955 licences and has been an excel- with Closed Mine Sites ates the system based on current to 1960 during which, the Pronto lent example of mine closure done Penokean Hills Field standards. The current standards mill processed approximately 2.1 right in Ontario. Naturalists may be different from the accept- million tonnes of uranium ore. In • Watershed Monitoring able standards that were in place at 1960, the mill was converted to Map the time of original construction. process copper ore, producing ap- • Owners and dogs: If a system, structure, or process proximately 2 million tonnes of copper tailings between 1960 and Responsibilities on is inadequate, the upgrades are performed as a result of the DSR, 1970. The tailings were deposited closed mine properties so that the Elliot Lake dams are al- in a 47-hectare natural rock basin • Hiking on Mine ways maintained to the best cur- (contained by Dam A) construct- Property rent practices for dams in Canada. ed of glacial till with a waste rock • Keeping in Touch shell. Rehabilitated Tailings Area with Biosolids Pg 2

Quirke Lake Fire in the plant and regular operator surveillance; daily inspection of On May 24, 2016 at approximate- the water quality released from the ly 1 pm, a local resident boating plant; and extensive downstream on Quirke Lake noticed smoke in monitoring. the bush between Quirke Lake and the Denison closed mine site. The Every five years, the environmental resident notified the Elliot Lake monitoring data from the tailings Fire Services (ELFS) which imme- management areas and the down- diately initiated its response to the stream environment is reviewed fire. John Thomas, Elliot Lake Fire by a third party consultant who MNR Water Bomber with Rooster Rock in background Services Fire Chief, contacted the specializes in water quality and en- Ministry of Natural Resources and vironmental impacts. This review Forestry (MNRF) to request sup- is documented in a report called port. By approximately 2:25 pm, the “State of the Environment Re- the ELFS team had arrived at the port” which is submitted to regula- site to commence their initial at- tory agencies and, following regu- tack and by approximately 3:45 latory comments and approval, is pm, the MNRF support team which available to the public either at the included a team transported by Elliot Lake library or by contact- helicopter, a fixed wing support ing the RAL or DES offices in Elliot plane and an MNRF water bomber Lake. The most recent state of the were at the site. The water bomber environment report is currently began dropping water onto the under regulatory review and will fire at 3:50 pm and completed its be finalized and released later this last drop at approximately 4:20 year; however, some of the high- pm and at that time, the fire was Drone shot of fire damage lights are discussed further below. substantially out and under control. A total of 61,300 litres of wa- Water quality in the tailings man- ter was dropped onto the fire. The Water Quality in the Serpent River agement areas has continued to total area burned by the fire was improve since the completion of approximately 3 hectares (HA) Watershed site closure work in the 1990s. In which is relatively small thanks to the downstream environment of the quick action of the ELFS and Rio Algom Ltd. (RAL) and Denison ment plants. After the contami- the Serpent River Watershed, all of the MNRF. To give some perspec- Mines Inc. (DMI) operate eight wa- nants are removed, the clean water the water quality parameters were tive of the size of the Quirke Lake ter treatment plants in the Serpent overflows from the settling ponds below the provincial water quality fire compared to the Fort McMur- River Watershed. At these sites, tail- and is eventually released into the guidelines and most samples were ray fire– the Quirke Lake Fire was ings water is collected in basins or Serpent River Watershed. within the normal regional back- 3 ha while the Fort McMurray fire collection channels and directed to Denison Environmental Services ground variability (i.e. there were was well in excess of 500,000 hect- the treatment plants where treat- (DES) works on behalf of RAL and detectable impacts from the former ares which is larger than the area ment reagents (lime and/or barium DMI to perform numerous tasks to mine sites). Overall, the tailings of the Prince Edward Island. chloride) are added to the process ensure that the water released from management areas are performing Without the quick responses of water. The treatment reagents the former mine sites (now referred as predicted during closure and the local resident, the ELFS and the raise the pH and remove contami- to as “tailings management areas”) the Serpent River Watershed water MNRF, the fire may have grown in nants from the water by binding to is clean and the environment is quality continues to remain better size. The cause of the fire was a them and forming particles that are protected. Measures include 24/7 than the government guidelines tree on a hydro pole line. settled out of the water in settling monitoring and trending of the wa- that were established to protect ponds downstream of the treat- ter treatment plants via computers human health and aquatic life. Pg 3

Community Interaction with Closed Mine Sites

Submitted by Marg Reckahn, Penokean Hills Field Naturalists

The Penokean Hills Field Natural- the various song birds that make ists are the stewards of the Sheriff this area their home. Creek Sanctuary. We have enjoyed many years of partnership with Rio The Penokeans keep bird feeders Algom Ltd. (RAL) and the City of full for the winter season and there Elliot Lake in regards to the Sanc- are always a lot of birds who feast tuary. This area is well used by on the seeds. the public, both local and visitors. There is seldom a day that goes by For those who are botanists, there that there are not cars in the park- is always a varying array of plants ing lot. to observe. They also change as we go through the seasons. As an Bird Sanctuary Beaver Deceiver The Field Naturalists walk through example, there is an abundance of the Sanctuary every Saturday morn- the lady slipper only in this area, If you can come out and join us on Just remember that you are on ing as long as the weather permits. growing in the Sanctuary. a Saturday, you can meet people mine property when you are in It is wonderful to walk along the who are knowledgeable about the the Sanctuary. Please respect the well-maintained trails and watch In the winter we enjoy seeing the Sanctuary, who can help you iden- fact that this is private property how things change as the seasons tracks of various animals as we tify what you see. In the last year, and also respect others who like change. In the spring, we are able make our way around the trails. Jim Johnston and friends have in- to enjoy this little bit of nature in to observe the many water fowl Some examples are snowshoe stalled signs at each juncture of the their back yard. that either stop over here in their hares, mice, squirrels and foxes. trails, so you know exactly where migration north or are residents Last winter we saw the imprint of you are as you travel through the who nest on the ponds. As well as where a ruffed grouse had landed Sanctuary. There is also a handy water fowl you can also observe and then walked away through the brochure that will guide you snow. around the various trails. Safety Reminder Denison Environmental Services, • Removal of any materials on behalf of Rio Algom Ltd. (RAL) from these sites is stricly does a great job of clearing dead prohibited. falls and large debris from the trails • Exercise caution and restrict and the Penokean Hills Field Natu- your travel to marked trails ralists look after the smaller ob- and routes. stacles. This is a rare collaboration • Consider your own level of that does not happen very often fitness and the limitations of between a mining company and the equipment that you are a naturalist club. We have made it using. work splendidly for many years. • Visitors should be aware of wildlife including bears and should always keep their dogs on leash while visiting the sites. Sherriff Creek Sanctuary Entrance Pg 4 Pg 5 Know the Hazards SR18 Access at Your Own Risk Sites are rugged with boulders, protruding objects, covered mine openings and uneven ground conditions. Removal of any materials from these sites is strictly prohibited. Exercise caution and restrict your travel to marked trails and routes.

Rio Algom Consider your own level of fitness and the limitations of the equipment that you are using. Visitors should be aware of wildlife including bears and should always keep their dogs on leash while visiting the sites. E 405000 5156000 N Quarries - unstable rocks Unsafe ice conditions

639 Serpent River Watershed

Q09 Monitoring Program Cycle 4 D5 October 2015 Q20 SR01 D4 D6

Surface mine openings Heavy equipment on roads 108

DS18

SR06

SR19 M01

Beaver Activities Steep sloping dams

SC01 Legend Public Roads. Railway. Limit of Mine Properties.

SR08 Tailings Management Areas (TMA). Exposure Lakes (included in SRWMP). Reference Lakes (included in SRWMP). Water Sample Location (Exposure). 108 Water Sample Location (Reference). Flowing water Herbicide applications along routes Direction of flow. Exterior limit of the Serpent River Watershed.

CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE

- Produced under Licence with the Ministry of Natural TOWNSHIP OF THE NORTH SHORE Resources (MNR) © Queens Printer for Ontario, 2015. - The watershed as shown is courtesy of the MNR. 108 TOWN OF - No endorsement by this Ministry or the Ontario PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES Government is implied by the use of their mapping SPANISH products. - Additional mapping was provided by The City of Elliot No vemb Lake Engineering Department.

17 5118000 N 359000 E 359000 HCR

HCR

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL:705-461-0466 File: \2005\205-018\srwmp\2015\srwmp2015-2

Pg 6

Owners and dogs: Responsibilities on closed mine has, and continues to be, mutually properties beneficial. We enjoy almost un- limited access to a wide variety of vehicle to allow the dogs to vacate trails and landscape, and the min- io Algom Ltd. (RAL) and Denison the road. We have also encountered Your cooperation in these matters R ing companies have extra eyes to Mines Inc. (DMI) presently permit dog owners who have chased after will help to ensure that vehicle notice anything amiss. public access, at their own risk, to their pets, entering the traffic route incidents involving your pets are the closed mine sites in the Elliot while the vehicle was approaching. prevented and that the privilege of The Coureurs de Bois hiking club Lake area. While many closed mine Neither RAL nor DMI want to see public access to the closed mine enjoys many types of hikes and sites throughout Canada do not a pet/vehicle collision or worse, a sites will continue in the future. snowshoe outings on mine prop- give permission for public access, person/vehicle collision. we are pleased that walkers and erty, including Upper and Lower Rochester Falls. (Cont’d on Pg 7) their pets can access these private To protect both you and your pet Hiking on Mine properties for their pleasure. it is imperative that your dog is on Property a leash, not longer than 2 meters, Prior to entering any of the closed while walking along the closed Submitted by Astrid Turner, mine sites, the public is asked to re- mine sites’ roadways. We do not Coureurs de Bois Outdoors Club. view the contents of the message consider the leash necessary when centres and read the signage on your dog is playing in an area away One of the biggest challenges the gates. RAL and DMI employees from the roadway. However, when faced by Trail Associations like the are routinely required to access the you and your pet return to the Voyageur Trail in Northern Ontario closed sites for maintenance, water roadway, your dog must be on a and the Bruce Trail in Southern On- treatment and monitoring purpos- leash. Please walk on the edge of tario is acquiring permission from es. Please be aware that if you are the road to leave as much room for private landowners for passage walking on the property, you may vehicle traffic as possible. Maintain over their property. Fortunately for see our vehicles on site at any hour care and control of your pet at all the Coureurs de Bois hiking club of the day or night. If there is a times. and the citizens of Elliot Lake, the work project on any of the closed relationship between Rio Algom mine properties, the volume of ve- Another noted concern is that dog Ltd., Denison Mines Inc. and hikers Three beauties on the ridge over- looking Quirke TMA. hicular traffic entering and leaving faeces has been found in the area the sites will increase significantly. of the access gates. The City of El- As a safety precaution, additional liot Lake Animal Control By-law No. warning signs will be posted at the 01-60 Section 8 states that owners entrance gates and public access must remove faeces left by their will be restricted for the duration dog (even on private property). Be of the project. considerate. Please be considerate and pick up after your pet. Signs Recently, a safety concern has have been posted at the access been brought to our attention by gates to the closed mine sites in- our employees and we would like dicating the requirements for you to address it now, to prevent any and your pets. Failure to follow incidents from occurring in the fu- these requests may result in evic- ture. While driving on our sites, we tion from the properties. have encountered dogs running freely on the access roads. There For further information about the have been many instances where animal control by-law, please refer the drivers have had to stop the to the City of Elliot Lake website at www.cityofelliotlake.com. Lower Rochester Falls Pg 7

Hiking on Mine Property Continued from page 6.

All four seasons bring different aspects to the hikes;

Spring – Emerging foliage

Fall – Breathtaking colours Summer – Spectacular lunchtime vistas. This is Panel Mine Peninsula over- looking Quirke Lake with Rooster Rock on the left in the distance.

Quirke TMA from the ridge

The Quirke TMA (Tailings Manage- We need to be mindful that access ment Areas) is also very popular to the TMA’s is a privilege, one that with the club. The views from the we often take for granted. As with ridge are spectacular and we’ve any hike, take nothing but pho- Winter - Ice falls along Stanleigh Mine Road spotted elk on a number of out- tographs, leave nothing but foot- ings. prints, keep nothing but memo- ries. Keeping in touch You are invited to keep in touch and stay informed about Denison Mines and Rio Algom’s activities in the Serpent River Watershed. Each summer the Nuclear and Mining Museum organizes tours of the mine sites as part of the Uranium Heritage Days Pg 8 festivities (Thank You Darla Hennessey!). If you prefer written material, our newsletter is published annually in the Standard and our technical reports on the Serpent River Watershed are available at the Elliot Lake library or by contacting either Ian Ludgate or Debbie Berthelot. Keeping in Touch If your group or organization is interestedResponse in a presentation Form on our activities or would like to arrange a group tour of our sites, please complete the response form below. You are invited to keep in touch and stay informed about Deni- son Mines (DMI) and Rio Algom’s (RAL) activities in the Serpent Riv- er Watershed. Each summer the Nuclear and Mining Museum organizes tours of the mine sites as part of the Uranium Heritage Days festivities (Thank You Darla Hen- nessey!). Twice annually, both We’d like to hear your thoughts about DMI and RAL provide a public pre- We’d like your thoughts about our Elliot Lake Closed Mine Site sentation to Elliot Lake Council. If performanceour performance in the in operation,the operation, care care Operation, Care and Maintenance you prefer written material, our and maintenance ofof ourour closed closed mine mine newsletter is published annually in sites. PleasePlease call call us us or sendor send us aus note. a Question(s): the Standard and our technical re- note.We’ll respondWe’ll respond as quickly as as quickly possible. as ports on the Serpent River Water- possible. shed are available at the Elliot Lake library or by contacting either Ja- net Lowe at Denison Environmen- Cut out this form and use it to mail tal Services or Debbie Berthelot at your comments to: Rio Algom Limited. If your group or organization is interested in Debbie Berthelot a presentation on our activities I’d like to know more about: or would like to arrange a group Reclamation Manager, Elliot Lake tour of our sites, please complete Rio Algom Limited the response form on the right. P.O. Box 38 Elliot Lake, Ontario

P5A 2J6 [email protected]

or Your name and address (please print): IanJanet Ludgate Lowe print): ManagerGeneral Manager Denison Mines Inc. Telephone: 1 Horne Walk, Suite 200 Fax: Elliot Lake, Ontario P5A 2A5 E-mail: iludgate@[email protected] Date: Safety is a prime concern at DES, Thank You! especially for our workers. This photo shows a DES worker wearing his personal protective equipment.