REPORT ON HEARINGS

NAMEW LAKE MINE/MILL

THE CLEAN ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION

SEPTEMBER 12, 1989

THE BACKGROUND

CITIZEN

HUDSON

A.

Manitoba Manitoba

AND

BAY

The

OTHER

Mine The Depressurizing/Dewatering General Wasterock Mill Tailings Depressurizing/Dewatering

Storage Noise sewage Dust Freshwater Solid Ca) Questions Effluent Cc) Cd) Ce) Cb)

Mr. Mr. Ms. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr.

MINING

Pas,

Department

Environment

Geographical

Discharge Underground Other Storage Discharge

Roger

Ed Jan Britton Bruce Frank Al

Clem Larry

HUDSON

Operation Development

Control

PRESENTATIONS

Waste

Control Underground Surface

Johanson Manitoba

Beck

and

Malanewich

AND

and

Monitoring

Moche

Discharge

Wright

Smith Render

Strachan

Supply

BAY

Disposal Handling

SMELTING

Wastewater

NAMEW

to to

Monitoring

of

Department

MINING

Injection

Setting

Namew the

TABLE

Natural

Monitoring

LAKE

Alternatives

Programs

Rocky

of

Ground

CO.

AND

Lake

OF

Gasoline —

MINE

and

Programs

Resources

LIMITED

Effluent

CONTENTS

2.

SMELTING

Lake

Basin —

Resources

Established Program

AND

Basin

and

MILL

PROPOSAL -.

Disposal

CO.

Associated

of

LIMITED

the

Area

Products

PAGE

12 14 13 14 14 18 19 15 18

19

20 21 21 20 22 21 22

28

22 28 28

31 29

30 33 30 31 34 33

33 33

1

3 7

8 9 3 6 r HUDSON BAY MINING AND SMELTING CO. LIMITED NAMEW LAKE MINE AND MILL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

B. Cumberland House, Saskatchewan 34

Ms. Delores Laliberty 34 Ms. Rose Dussion 35 Mr. Allen Felix 36 Mayor Leonard Morin 37 Manitoba Environment Department 39 Mr. Larry Strachan 39 Saskatchewan Environment Department 40 Mr. Randy Sentis 40 Mr. Robert Kent 43

SUMMARY, DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS 43

RECOMMENDATIONS 49

FIGURES

Figure 1 4 Figure 2 10

— ii — ri HUDSON BAY MINING AND SMELTING CO. LIMITED

NAMEW LAKE MINE AND MILL

BACKGROUND

On July 8, 1987, the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co. Limited registered a proposal under the Clean Environment Act with respect to a mine and mill operation for the development of a nickel/copper ore body lying under Namew Lake 64 kilometres due south of Fun Flon and 1.6 kilometres east of the Manitoba/saskatchewan border. The construction,of a mine shaft and mill facilities were proposed to be located on the south—east shore of Namew Lake with an adjacent tailing disposal area and ponds for the storage of mine water, mill effluent, and tailings area effluent, prior to discharge to Namew Lake.

Under the terms of the Clean Environment Act, once registered under the Act the Company was enabled to complete its plans for the development of the mine, construct the mine and mill facilities, and commence production prior to the issuance of an environmental licence.

On April 3, 1989, the Company filed a new registration of the proposal under the new Environment Act, including Environmental Impact Assessment documents which detailed a depressurizing/dewatering requirement which had not been anticipated prior to the onset of mine development work and which necessitated the disposal of much more mine water than had originally been anticipated.

During the second week of April, 1989, the Environment Department advertised its consideration of the licencing of the operation under the

Environment Act. A number of concerns and objections were received by the Department from local citizens of both Manitoba and Saskatchewan, including the Northern Village of Cumberland House and the Northern Settlement of Sturgeon Landing, both located in the Province of Saskatchewan, and on

Cumberland

Blanchard,

Commissioners morning

hearing

Saskatchewan,

Commission

Commission

at

organizations,

House,

Department

discussed

that The

Saskatchewan,

the

into

May

Clean

to

BACKGROUND

10:00

Section

Honourable

Pas,

3,

the

the

Environment

Both

After

Saskatchewan,

On

1989

were

of

a.m.,

matter

Commission

the

the

May

June

Mr.

House,

viewed

convened

of

7(3)

(continued)

hearing

the

invited

giving

Honourable

in

terminating

Environment.

mining

and

29,

Ed

as

in Herb

15,

under

of

Environment

attendance

Gramiak,

Commissioner

the

well

the

with

Commission

1989,

the

sessions

a

1989,

notice

hold

Swan.

to

to

development

Royal

mine

hearing

consideration

as

the

Environment

accompany

provide

J.

following

a

the

in

to

Mrs.

and

site

second Glen

concurrence

Because

at

Canadian

Minister,

were

the

receive

to

hearing

in

Len

The

advertising

Joan

and

better

Cummings

hold

The

late

with

chaired

the

hearing

the

Flett

Pas

of

Act.

operations.

by

Vestby

—2—

Legion

Pas,

a

a

was

afternoon

Commission

the

the

Commission’s

the

were

opportunity

submission

Saskatchewan of

public

replaced

advised

by

re—convened

Manitoba,

questions

Saskatchewan

Mr.

in

Hon.

in

and

Mr.

Hall.

Mr.

the

appropriate

Swan,

hearing

J.

Arnie

Dr.

of

Stan on

Citizens

community

the

Mr.

from

Glen

that

On

for

scheduling

Barrie

this commencing

citizens Mr.

raised

Commission

Barr,

Ed

Eagleton.

the

in

on

the

the

Environment

Cummings,

day.

Cummings

Gramiak.

Cumberland

inspection.

the

newspapers,

attending

following

Webster.

Saskatchewan

by

of

receipt

Mr.

and

proposal

Cumberiand

citizens

of

on

Maurice

that

Other

requested

a

requested

June

of

Minister,

hearing

House,

day

the

At

he

On

the

pursuant

input

of

1,

the

had

the

1989

the

in

U

I

U

ID

[

U 1 BACKGROUND

THE

Hudson Director

Manager Mr. Gil Lake construction. Environmental charge delivered The

Saskatchewan,

and situated Cumberland River. the

forest

HUDSON

John

LaBarre,

Geographical

Athapapuskow Sturgeon

project;

The Bay

A

of

Namew

The

cover

of

Most

Ross, of

somewhat

in

water;

at

BAY

Mining presentation

(continued)

the

area Lake

Safety

the

Mill

The

Weir

Lake,

with

of

Mr. Supervisor;

on

MINING

General Fun

Saskatchewan

Namew surrounding located

and

Pas, Setting June

Lakes

and

Superintendent Brian

abbreviated

River

frequent

and

on

Flon

Mr.

AND

Smelting

Manitoba

which 15,

Lake

Manager Environment,

in

of

Salamondra,

into in

mines;

Rob

and

SMELTING

Mr.

1989.

Saskatchewan

the

the

areas

is

the

Narnew

Corden, Resources

River

Namew

Gerald presentation

located

mine

Co.

of

was

Province

Mr.

mine

of

of

the

Lake

CO.

Limited

watershed repeated

Lake,

assisted and

E. SuperintendeTht the

—3—

poorly

Forsyth, Technologist

is

Flin

in

LIMITED

Bron,

of

and

consists

miii

Namew

of located

which

Saskatchewan.

the

was

Flon

of

Manitoba

Saskatchewan

drained

by

development

by

Project

(Figure

Lake

Environmental

the

Area

PROPOSAL made

Mr.

in

Division;

the

and

of

Company

in

turn

mill;

of

Fraser

muskeg.

black

by

following

drain takes

Manager

charge

1).

the

Mr.

discharges

to

proposal

Mr.

and

Mr.

Namew

proposal,

at

Waters

southwards its

Wayne

the

Technologist

of

Steve for

Curnberland

white

Brigg staff

name,

civil

Saskatchewan

Lake

Fraser,

the

from

of

to

West,

spruce

members:

Sigismund,

originally

is

the

Namew Mine;

through

Amisk

House,

in

Mr. p —4- p

Ii

Pcjre I Wildlife

environment THE mine/mill wildlife

being

impact whitefish. fishery commercial staff the concern of Branch

the claims. approximately

forestry the Cumberland at the

located

access

the

HUDSON

mine/mill fishery

project.

development

held

and

Primarily

on

Namew

Discussions

staff

The The Sturgeon

licences

being

within

Branch, will

concerns Claims

smaller

site

the

roads,

BAY

with

market

Heritage

community

Lake

staff

Several from

Lake

to

result

Manitoba

the

SlE,000.00. site

MINING

falls

the

the

determine

for

River. were

into

with because —

damage

a

had

yield fur—bearing

supports

quality

and

were power

to

Province

trapper.

meetings two

damage

Resources

within from

of which

identified.

AND

early

the

reduce

recommendations

Regional

of

in held

resulting

Sturgeon The

of

transmission

SMELTING

conclusion

the

of

the

a Saskatchewan

$25,000

Regular

to

Namew

meetings

initial

Registered

community

of

moderate

have

between

liquid forestry

proposed animals

most

the

Branch

Saskatchewan.

Fisheries

Landing

Lake

been

from

forest

CO.

in meetings

feasible

concerns

effluent

—5—

with

reached

Hudson

was

and

sports

1986, line,

damage

are

of drains.

LIMITED

mining Trapline

held

the

and

have

also

Cumberland

is

because

the

Specialist

implemented

mine/mill

one

between

Bay including will

the

route

located

that respecting

fishery

discharge

as

Regional

development.

been

consulted

PROPOSAL

Both

#35,

in staff

well tailings

continue

very

the

to

Manitoba,

paid

Hudson

on House of

ongoing

and

operation,

regarding

as

follow

access

pickerel,

and

during

representative

little

into

these the

wildlife,

(continued)

to

and in

three

disposal

Regional

to

is

Bay

assess

the

shore

There

Namew

in

no

discussions with road

ensure

the

communities

located

impact

commercial protection

environment

amount

the

concerns

pike,

the

operation

of

may Hudson and

a

Lake. area,

final

Forestry development

major

that

Nariew

to

on

of

be

and

of

local

and

damage

about

Bay

the are some

are

of

Lake

of minesite. mine. The development of General Cross THE south a Saskatchewan cottagers. Lake. Township milling body. approximately Finland north approximately Limited Employment the joint the east HUDSON Manitoba/Saskatchewan Bay basin east Other Frewan area These The The The The Continued venture facilities (40%). (HBM&s) shore 60, of This BAY presence Namew mine/mill of Namew at Rocky of of in are River. Namew features Range Lake the $85 the Rocky MINING of the 1980, $50 by lake Hudson employees shown drilling Lake Lake minesite. million Lake the mine/mill mine Lake. Hudson is million 20, located of Lake. is complex leading of AND main nickel/copper located nine/mill drains on W.P.14. the Bay are in the The SMELTING figure Bay with in border and ore the basin operates within for Rocky 3 will area This to 1985 is unamed small 10 Mining through 15 Rocky wages, body an drilling complex located of km 1. with contractor be substantiated Lake that lake annual Manitoba CO. Rocky south mine lakes was the 140 lake Lake and Chocolate Root both services, were discharges LIMITED is on indicated Hudson joint represents and Smelting in operational of drainage part — Lake (Lake and on the the Chocolate, considered 1984 employees. the mill venture. Provincial PROPOSAL Reeder of Lake is ore shore Bay B) material the mine which a used to by development (60%) basin is a body Mining separate is importance Namew an of capital expenditure site 5 Lakes approximately Frewan extensively in discovered km and electromagnetic (continued) Namew and Most and Crown and planning and with south Lake Outokumpu to the drains drainage supplies. investment if and and Lake Smelting the of Land a near mining not of of an discharge operation the the the by adjacent the to in all unnamed the 5 basin. deposit. of ore km the and Co. survey of of the to to is

U [] U r workers and palladium. THE work grading their pillar Mine 1,300 life and depth hole and first level. and development backfill. underground replace a HUDSON blast maintenance so of and/or Development drift work homes tonnes ore of Ore The of Mine Approximately limestone remain the 2.44% The the 411.Srn dolomite was from week BAY ore reserves and which mine At new development ore via extracted is per nickel produced MINItG in body the drill fill. being exploratory is with deposit a of and day, will are an fill planned four and the at is adjacent and the lateral utilized raises 225,000 AND located the Electric be ore. the sandstone located late mine raise. days. will commenced mill 0.9% quarried SMELTING mine production Namew work in The 3m access development be tonnes camp principally copper beyond for At life in 1988 long Some in mined mill mine varying in the the diameter. mine in and Co. since road. will the by of hole of —7— with this 1985 tailings end are rate Elm by crushed LIMITED drifting fill the site area, the be in at drill the of in estimated significant time with The of Elon waste depth 5.5 the will development shifts the Flin long 475,000 if on are remainder PROPOSAL period. the rigs years, greenstone l2Om through shift, successful, be the rock non. from hole unsuitable sinking are at will required and surface amounts tonnes produced although 2.58 2m raising workers of (continued) the will and 32Cm be to 12 belt of million ore utilized for per could 30m. and annually be for hours of a levels. method during return development beneath above shaft the used year, platinum mine delivered extend duration tonnes upgrading to for and the backfill to mine to to or The a drill a mine and the l2Om long will discharge. Mine minerals dewatering THE be collection Mill wastewater seepage/process be the collected suspended % into % copper the smelting thickener 1.0 railhead cellulose, material copper solids directed high. HUDSON % nickel flotation wascewater, Operation settle the copper. Dewatering The and A Essentially, mine and and number and for in in Water within overflow solids. pond. and SAY mill concentrate storage nickel a out to the the then shipment refining. water 1.3 workings and depressurizing MINING a Concentrates discharges was water. and ore, of bulk designated consisting the % and The separation filtered. from pond. streams The nickel. reagents soluble where completed all mine will rougher depressurizing AND final to and overflow is the The the Copper Fort SMELTING and be further trucked as this and ore. polymer wastewater mine of The are sulphide copper are processes rejected Processed flotation; operations pumped high in Saskatchewan. seepage passed concentrate water nickel treated from used wastewater, 1988 These treatment to as CO. concentrate which minerals to requirements Thompson the in will with 400 in through and LIMITED storage of concentrate concentrates include with the the potassium will the clarifier is L/s the mine not a is surface can used mill when mill design flocculent, Filtrate will collect mill. a and trucked in PROPOSAL pond be from sodium process be clarifier the to operation mixed pumped in process part amyl probably done, assays is where capacity at depress are the the The ore water water discharged to carboxy a shipped canthate, water, with mill (continued) shipped mine to gangue, will rate if thickened Flin suspended to for 17.5 to prior be the required, the is assays the of the are of be Flon. methyl separate removal will necessary. % combined to surface, 1900 gangue elsewhere mine 16 nickel tailings or recovered to a expected to the to collector be L/s. solids waste about the its t/d. Part prior about of nearest the and with will entry Mine of for 28.5 to by to 60

r [I

U

[ -l 1 which enhance that carbinol, THE

fiocculent thickeners; destroyed higher probably wastewater into reagents assurance down of environmental storage has tailings Tailings

toxicity. water a

(figure be

tailings

the

utilized

HUDSON

exceeded

is

the

to

is

encountered

concentrations.

In

Federal

It Tailings

commonly

the

pond.

acceptable

2).

used concentrates

or ranges based

and

an

by the

that is

BAY

which

storage

pond,

sodium separation

the

to

alcohol

aeration

not Wastewater

the

In

event in

effects

MINING

on

Metal

In the

receive

from process

and

addition,

used

the

is

expected

requirements

a

oxidation

the

during

cyanide

wastewater levels,

pond

reclaim

used

that

wastewater

separation frother

19

Mining

AND for

or

event and

in

of

mine

wastes

to

In

effluent

to

sodium

residual

the

mine

SMELTING

the

copper

some

that

as

which

all 500

a

water

treat

using that

Effluent

depressurizing/dewatering

used

cyanide

final

a

bulk

of

storage

development,

kg/day cases,

by from

any

management

result

circuit

cyanide

may

from

natural

has

the

reservoir,

both

concentrations in

natural hydrogen

flotation CO.

effluent.

of

the

—9—

bulk be

destruction

Regulations

been

Federal

nickel. exclusive

these

pond the

of

LIMITED

concentrates

used

mill to

is

degradation

the

roughing

degradation

chemicals

will tested

depress

used, peroxide.

effluent

it

reagents

and

of

in

ooeration.

Metal

unanticipated

The

is

PROPOSAL

The

utilize

sulphides;

of the

a

can

some

plant which

for

proposed

Company

wastewater

and

nickel; addition

lime

Mining

prior

separation

will

will

be are

fails

toxicity

cyanide

in

effluent.

cleaning

will

include

three

which

(continued)

found

either

meet the

lead

to

has

Regulation

that

methyl

polyacrylamide

to

volume

rate

be

entering

wastewater

storage

storage

will is

in

also reduce

and to

the

circuit

employed

bioassays.

Chocolate

stages;

incorporated

of used

the

adverse

isobutyl

requirements

the

of

be

given

these

mill

cyanide

for

pond mine ponds

the

in

quality

to

lime

much

Lake —

The — 10 —

a s t ew at e r St or age Pon d

Wastewater Disehar

Pipe I ine SI Freshwater to / V Pumphouse Chocolate 1 Lake / At — Tai lings Discharge — Mine / NIii Site Tailings Pond

Emergency Pu — — - Discharge Spil Iway

Reclaim Water Reservoir

Namew Lake

FIGURE2 — 11 —

THE HUDSON BAY MINING AND SMELTING CO. LIMITED PROPOSAL (continued)

The tailings material separated from the mineral in the ore following the bulk crashing and cleaning process will be deposited in the tailings pond at an estimated volume of 1600 tonnes/day. Over the 5.5 year life of the operation, an estimated 2.2 million tonnes of tailings will be deposited. The tailings will he of low sulphur content ranging from 0.4 to 0.7%. Acid generated, will be neutralized by alkaline material in the tailings. Acid not neutralized will remain in the tailings and will have to be addressed by the tailings rehabilitation plan. The major impact of tailings will be the inundation of the tailings pond with 2m of tailings. Amelioration of this area will be included in the rehabilitation plans.

Discharge of the clarified effluent from the tailings pond will be collected in the reclaim water reservoir for reuse in the mill with no discharge to the environment. The reclaim water reservoir has a capacity of approximately 884,000 3m and will accommodate the overflow from the tailings pond. The anticipated rate of overflow is 32 L/s which will be augmented by surface run—off. The mill pumphouse will withdraw water from the reclaim pond at a rate of 35 L/s. Provisions have been made to remove excess water from the reclaim pond to the wastewater storage pond during periods of higher than normal runoff and to add mine wastewater to the reclaim system during periods of lower than normal runoff in order to balance the mill water requirement. Therefore, under normal conditions there will not be any discharge from the reclaim water reservoir. There is a spillway with stop logs that will permit discharge to Namew Lake in the event of an extraordinary precipitation event. The reclaim pond system will be operated to protect the dykes and prevent any but an usual overflow. It is estimated that approximately 80% of the mill water requirements will be met with reclaimed water.

a capacity of 87,000 in The wastewater storage pond has storage ,3 which will provide 10 days of detention. Inflow to the pond consists of mine The water at a rate of 16 1/s and mill process water at a rate of 13 1/s. mill wastewater has a pfl of 12 and its re—use in the mill may cause problems with the metallurgy. The chemistry of the mill process wastewater will contribute THE HUDSON BAY MIN:NG AND SMELTING CO. LIMITED PROPOSAL (continued) fl to the precipitation of heavy metals and is therefore beneficial to the r treatment of the water in the wastewater storage pond in meeting effluent requirements. In the event that the desired effluent limits are not achieved from the wastewater storage pond, additional treatment would have to be provided prior to discharge. At the outset, it was proposed to discharge effluent directly to Namew Lake. The proposal is now to discharge effluent I I from the wastewater storage pond to the depressurizing/dewatering pipeline. ri As noted, this pipeline is proposed to be discharged into Chocolate Lake. This will provide only one effluent discharge point — from Chocolate Lake to Namew Lake. U

Depressurizing/Dewatering

In order to allow safe mining to proceed, it was determined that extensive dewatering and depressurizing of the host rock surrounding the ore body would be required. The volume, combined with its salinity, constituted a massive water problem. The Company retained a hydrogeological consultant to advise on remedial measures. The consultant reported in early December, 1988, that depressurizing of the water—bearing zone surrounding the ore body would be required to reduce water risks to a minimum. The consultant estimated that withdrawal of 500 L/s for 70 days would totally depressurize the surrounding rock. Ongoing dewatering at an estimated rate of 250 L/s would be required to maintain the depressurized state. Without this process in place the mine might become totally flooded as mine development progressed.

At the time of the hearing the mining of ore had been much reduced from the scheduled 1300 tonnes per day because of this water with hazard mining LI operations being confined to the upper mining level where the risk of flooding was acceptably low. LI

:n order to reduce the waterflows, exploration drill holes into the ore body through Namew Lake had been located and resealed. I — 13 —

THE HUDSON BAY MINING AND SMELTING CO. LIMITED PROPOSAL (continued)

Initial depressurizing commenced May 22, 1989, with the resultant discharge directed to the tailings area. The ponds were re—engineered and earthworks constructed to allow for storage of all depressurizing water for a minimum 90—120 days. Additional construction for further storage would also be a possibility but the costs would be very high.

It is now estimated that depressurizing/dewatering effluent discharged from the mine will contain 1500 to 2000 ppm total dissolved solids, principally chloride salts of sodium and calcium.

In order to provide for other disposal of this water, a pipeline had been constructed to direct the depressurizing water to Chocolate Lake. This line had not yet been placed in service at the time of the Commission’s hearings.

At a later date, it is intended that depressurizing water be recovered from the tailings pond and disposed of by other environmentally acceptable means.

Depressurizing/Dewatering Effluent Disposal

The principal environmental effects of disposal of the dewatering/depressurizing effluent will be on the aquatic ecosystem.

Several options for the storage or disposal of this water were considered by the company. Evaluation of the various options were done in relation to the following assumptions that:

(1) The depressurizing effluent is not toxic to fish.

(2) The optimum total dissolved solids (T.D.S.) for fish is 200 mg/l. THE

examined,

other (a)

mine. rock volume

surrounding (b)

inundated

Root

located Cc) Pas.

HUDSON

(3)

formations

and

rock

A

Underground

Underground

of

Storage

This

Discharge

The

number

east

as

Reeder

water

BAY

over

formation

Rocky

The

other the

flat is

follows.

of

MINING

not

of

the

surrounding or

depressurizing

pumping

Lakes the

terrain.

to

Lake

effects

options

Injection

injection

the

a

life

the

Namew was

AND

practical

drainage

before

injected

operation.

of

Rocky

considered.

SMELTING

not

for

Lake

An the

Nanew

of

entering

naturally

disposal

estimated

Lake

effluent

option

project.

basin minesite. the water

Lake CO.

Basin water

comprises This

would LIMITED

due

would

the

of

will

reversible

28

back

to the

was Rocky

Saskatchewan

square

short—circuit

either

not

the

PROPOSAL

depressurizing

into

rejected

some

Lake

lead

volume

kilometers

following

the

be

500

drains

to

nable

(continued)

originating

as

River

of

square

solids

directly

an

water

south,

completion

water of

option to

upstream

miles

deposition

land

accept

and

back

were

or

through

since

would the

and

some

of

the to

of

is

The

the

the

or

be

r fl

11

the

Lake

records

Lake

the

optimum,

T.D.S. flow

(a)

Namew

in bait

total primary

depressurizing

marshlands

Rocky

Lake,

the

anticipated

basin

lake

lake

combinations

THE

excess

minimum.

Namew

and

via

lake

of

HUDSON

fish

would

located

Mine

dissolved

Ducks and

The

Discharge

feeding

to

The

show

Rocky

Discharge

7000

spawning

Cumberland

the

and

and

Lake

the

of

operation

Namew

Namew

depressurizing

south between

provide

BAY

that

Sturgeon

Unlimited

effluent

negative

g.p.m.

the

The

has

Lake

at

lake

of

minesite.

Rocky

and

MINING

solids

Lakes

Lake

to

about

free

fisheries

and

end

maximum

minimum

numerous

of

supports

water.

from

Root

Lake

Namew

would,

some

conduct

Lake

depressurizing

rearing

of

Weir

drainage

volume

effects

discharge,

operate

is

the

AND

(T.D.S.)

which

Rocky

Lake

to

dilution

flow

flow

a

Both

would

Lake

effluent

River;

cottages

midpoint

This

at

optimum

SMELTING

wildlife

the

an

activities

from

area

and

on

the

water

Lake,

is through

basin a

active

Amisk

Basin

Saskatchewan

provide

would

in

water

ditching

the

the

Namew

in

the

at

21:1

for

Rocky

at

level

along

between

water

CO.

discharges

which

management

a

and

conprises

the fishery

—

Saskatchewan

mine.

sports

move

an

the

50:1 the

control

dilution,

on

15

Lake

a

LIMITED

Athapapuskow

outset

of

estimated

Lake

the

dilution

or

to Rocky

—

would

this

lake

the

ratio

the

200

River.

in

fishery

would

piping,

Rocky

east

is

structure

sone

water

portion

from

is

aTea.

turn

minesite

of

rng/1.

PROPOSAL

Lake

receive

add

300—350

to

River.

approximately

shore.

factor

probably

the

Lake

level

5600

Rocky

discharges the

Long—tern

on

and

quality

a

fishery.

Lakes

Downstream

discharge.

further

of

the

the

could

effluent

anticipated

for

square

and

the

of

mg/l

(continued)

of

the

Lake,

The

discharge

northern

drain

result.

1500

management

Rocky

21:1

use

further

involve

which

lake.

hydrological

region

70

Two

through

miles

serves

five

of

T.D.S.

from

from

to

to

mg/i

The

Lake.

commercial

an

is

maximum

portion

Namew

the

from

of

Current

times

between

north

various

Rocky

drainage

unnamed

of

already

as

Cross of

and

the

This

the

the

of

a of THE Namew

about

yield fishing on being

fishermen The addition, primarily

underlying

is

Lake the will other for

will

water course rock depressurizing

Lake.

ability reservoirs

water

the

HUDSON

the

discharge

depressurizing

the

Lake

twice

is

the in

reduce reverse from

Namew

hand,

Water north

is

same

Mr.

licences

from

of

Two

much

fishery 1987

to

fish and

added

which

BAY

in Mine

the several

sedimentary

the

Fraser’s

water

small

prior

hold Lake

the the the shore

entering

the

less

had

the sports

from MINING

of

Lake.

depressurizing

annual

water

to

represents

which, —

mine natural Company

lake

supports

the a value.

hydraulic

which

Lakes

to

than two

of

years, the Namew

water

market

analysis

fishing

AND

discharge

water

will the

The

Namew

to bottom

flow—through.

in

Lake,

rocks

the

in

in is

expects

entry

Lake

Namew SMELTING

would

Saskatchewan The

lake

net

approach

a

the value

contain

about

proximity causing

optimum

prior

force

Lake

moderate

outfitters

the

where provide

noted

small

result contains

water

Company’s

of at

Lake

of

bring

of

that

T.D.S. contains

50

to

saline

such the

CO.

depressurizing

an

that

-16- upward

problems

that

200 $25,000

community

would, tons

volume.

discharge

would

an

to

sports

the

the Sturgeon

initial

LIMITED

and

that

a

mg/L.

work

of at

artesian

the

the

view,

water

per T.D.S.

T.D.s.

underground

a

hydraulic

one

be

the

however, the

with

water

T.D.S.

mine

in

T.D.S.

fishery

out

day

Water

of

T.D.S.

that,

PROPOSAL

He

provides

could Weir in

through

Lake incoming

the

of

closer pickerel,

Sturgeon

of

of

flow

could

effluent

believed

Manitoba.

will

of

115

volume

Namew

naturally

River;

this

outlet if

add combined

pressure

and

be

of

depressurizing

approximately

of

the

no enter

mg/l.

(continued) serve

beneficial. to

a

some

water.

back

three

community.

saline

Lake

benefit Landing

additional

in

to that

the pike

commercial

Lake

will,

The

the 4000

minerals salts,

from

as Namew

Namew present

This

mine.

commercial

optimum

the

and

bottom,

The

water.

holding

commercial

underlying

over

mg/L, is

in

the

T.D.S.

Lake

Lake. addition whitefish

addition 90

is

On program

located that

saline

in

the

to

T.D.S.

mg/i...

sourced

the and

This

is Namew

the

the

The

of

of

r U — 17 —

THE HUDSON BAY MINING AND SMELTING CO. LIMITED PROPOSAL (continued) decreasing to a projected 1500 mg/L after depressurizing has been achieved. Retention of the initial discharge would allow dilution to be gained prior to discharge of the higher T.D.S. water to Namew Lake. The temperature of the depressurized water would also approach that of Namew Lake as a result of retention in an intermediate lake. A uniform temperature would assist in preventing stratification of the Chocolate Lake discharge in Namew Lake.

One of these intermediate lakes, Chocolate Lake, is located 5 km north and east of the minesite. The lake appears to contain a limited fish population consisting of minnows and northern pite. The lake discharges via a creek to Namew Lake, which it enters close to the minesite. The lake, averaging 4 — 4.Sm in depth and about 300 hectares in surface area, is located in a flat swampy area. Attempts to increase the holding capacity of this lake with dykes or dams would be difficult.

Chocolate Lake currently holds a volume of water equal to three or four times a 70 day discharge of 530 L/s. Addition of dewatering effluent to this lake could be done at one of several locations, with a point towards the east end being the most desirable to prevent flow short—circuiting to the lake outlet. Both the lake and the creek are located in the Province of Manitoba.

Frewan Lake, the second of these lakes, has a large holding capacity. Discharge from Frewan Lake takes place into Cross Bay of Namew Lake. This portion of Namew Lake has little fishery. However, both Frewan Lake and Cross Bay are located in the Province of Saskatchewan and would require approval from that jurisdiction. This option was rejected as a consequence.

A Direct discharge to Namew Lake was also considered. Mixing to equalize the mineral concentration of the depressurizing water and to bring the temperature to that of Namew Lake would not occur with a direct discharge. Significant mixing of the discharge to the lake might therefore not occur in all seasons and the discharge could be disruptive to shoreline habitat. THE Weir

Namew Company subject be (e) Saskatchewan.

selected the under future. Chocolate rainbow trout wasterock

auxiliary underground. wasterock site

ingredients

minimal.

HUDSON

best

River

development,

Lake

review

stocking ______

Two Other

After

Additional Wasterock

Wasterock

noted to

trout

alternative. storage This

Lake,

service

is

BAY

other and

at

freezing.

Discharge

(ie. consideration

In

with

not

Sturgeon that

examination

fishery.

A

MINING

one

program

the

with

limestone

discharge

in

generated

generated

available.

sulfur)

fisheries

toxicity

upgrading

roads

both to

Case

Chocolate

the

AND

the

In

Weir Alternatives

In

if

pipelines

Hudson

around

of the

increased

at SMELTING

Goose

would

support

it

quarry

formats

of

tests

at

by

Sturgeon

in

experts

and

levels

case

is

The

the Lake

the

the

both

Bay

the

River.

be

reasonable maintenance

on

wasterock

is

would

of

of foregoing

mining site

were CO.

and

will

used

level

mine/mill

which

cases.

and

the

being

Weir,

the

this

LIZIITED

subsequent

during

examined The

be

will

support in effluent

Goose

of

operations

will

alternative,

developed

long

the

the and

will

outcome

In discharge

T.D.S.

of

be

complex.

mine

cause PROPOSAL

River discharge

rejecting

determination

desirable.

the

and

scheduled or

not —

were

discharge

a

would

undertake

mine development

would

thus

will

contain for

concerns

pipeline

discharge,

options

being

additional

(continued)

access

use

would expensive these

be

be

be

for

into acceptable

conducted.

used

as

chemically—active

a

as

this

or

to

the

the

discharge proposals,

occur

was

backfill road

dilution

to

impacts.

the

Namew

for

Company

studies

near rainbow

and

whether

used

and

Sturgeon

in

backfill

also

as Lake

for

when

would

to

the

were

a

as

r [1

U

U LI fl — 19 —

TE HUDSON BAY M:NING AND SMELTING CO. LIMITED PROPOSAL (continued)

Storage and Handling of Gasoline and Associated Products

All petroleum products are being stored and handled in accordance with Manitoba Regulation 97/88R under the Environment Act.

Dust Control

Dust emissions from the Namew Lake mine/mill complex are expected to be well below the standard imposed on the Snow Lake concentrator in Clean Environment Commission Order No. 765. This is a result of the complete enclosure of the ore handling system. The crusher and conveyor systems produce dust due to the nature of the operation. These have been enclosed and have been equipped with an air ventilation system which utilizes a water scrubber to clean all exhaust air, which in turn is replaced by heated, fresh make up air. The milling and concentrating operations all occur on slurry material and do not produce dust.

Fugitive dust emissions from vehicle traffic on the mine access road and on site will be handled through routine maintenance and good housekeeping practices. During extended periods of hot, dry weather an environmentally acceptable dust stabilization compound will be used as required to control this dust. It is estimated that heavy vehicle traffic will be limited to 8—10 transport trucks per 24 hour day. while moderate levels of light vehicle traffic will occur. If airborne dust from drilling and blasting at the limestone quarry occurs, the operation will be temporarily shut down. ______

THE

double Noise mine

equipped

insulated operation preserving most the dampening minimum

operation levels

Solid

solid Environmental non—burnable has clayfill

Natural

only

HUDSON

shoreline

been

ventilation

significant

Control be

Waste

wastes

Ore

skin

In

generated It

A

The

impact

Resources.

undertaken with

solid

material erected

and

on an

and

will

is

BAY

handling

the

disposal

exterior

Disposal

Namew effort

anticipated

will and

equipped

efficient

of

eliminating

Control

MINING

natural

on be

waste

system

the

by source

for to

seasonal

the

be and

Lake,

facilities once

to

the

site

aid

wall.

lake

Ground

disposal

periodically

storage

AND

environment

Branch

allowed

with

minimize

appearance

mufflers.

is

drilling, of

in

authorization

a

that

is

SMELTING

and

most

fitted

buffer

noise and

the

efficient, Pumphouses

segmented

for

of

mine/mill

the

ground

to

are

of can

proper

the

used

generated

the

naturally

with

line of the

blasting,

limestone

(spring

capped

CO.

completely

be

-20-

impact

the

approval solid

barrels

noise

operated

into

operation LIMITED

and

a is

relatively of

site.

silencer

site

with

received

trees

and

ether

of

by

waste

three

reveqetate.

generated

backfill and

and

enclosed

no’ise

when

the fall).

has

a

PROPOSAL

This

when

has

limited

of layer

satellite

disposal

salvageable separate

and noiseless

entire

been

from

viewed

the

buffer levels been

the

quarry

has

on

of

with

received

site.

(continued) the

effect

crushing

All

left

operation. site

waste

been

from

areas

site.

structures

has emitting

equipment. an Department

site

required

wastes.

standing

as

Burning

insulated enclosed

the

the

of

rock

from for

well

will

will

the

effect

lake.

from

burnables,

and

This

the

signing

are

as

be

have noise

The will

of

between

The and

the

the

well

of

a

(--I U U

U

U L — 21 —

THE HUDSON BAY MINING AND SMELTING CO. LIMITED PROPOSAL (continued)

Sewage

An estimated 30 cubic meters per day of sewage and domestic wastewater will be generated at the mine/mill complex. This water will be collected through a series of gravity flow sewer lines in the sewage lift station located on the northern side of the site. From there, it will be pumped to a two—stage above—ground sewage holding tank. Effluent is decanted from the holding tank and discharged to the tailing pond. The solids will be removed by contract to an approved waste disposal groun&.

Freshwater Supply

A Water Rights Licence was issued to Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company from the Water Resources Branch of the Department at Natural Resources to withdraw fresh water for the various minesite uses from Namew Lake. Domestic water will be disinfected. Approval has been received for the water supply and distribution system and wastewater collection system tram the Environment Department.

Effluent Monitoring Programs Established

Effluent monitoring programs have been established at the Namew mine/mill site to gather effluent quality data to allow determination of the type of treatment required. Regular monitoring programs will also indicate changes in effluent quality which could result in changes being required to treatment techniques. drainage discharge been three Questions because should THE HUDSON discussed or With collected minewater analysis. personnel analysis. In discharge complex. benefit Analytical directed Surface to and samples monitor sampling Effluent final Underground of channel four from response entering drought delivered BAY regard underground years. with Chocolate Monitoring MINING are the the discharges to locations Weekly by but discharge and and Bi-weekly Department to conditions the effluent collected quality to Monitoring trappers Mine the delivered that, to final questions Registered Chocolate AND reclaim samples trapper the Department Lake sump were Programs SMELTING at discharge from of from samples Sudson containment for activities. by present, to there various Program for to reservoir, chosen at of underground Lake the Mine and Trapline Namew analysis. the discharge The Mill Bay CO. personnel of had stabilization final -22- is Department from Hudson underground flows the Namew Lake Pas Analytical LIMITED probably process areas in underground are the #35, hearing, the lake would and which to Bay Lake and collected tailings adjacent order the surface. PROPOSAL was water surface personnel not Analytical delivered be at raw Department ultimately of Chocolate Mr. 1 been of through different the — water sump discharge, containment to l.25m Fraser by Mill lBm (continued) The lake any on the Mine to above to supply Department a Lake a underground operations in report below mine/mill discharge surface water natural the hi—weekly stated levels Department Flin tailings Namew proposal and Hudson area normal to level non are that to for the Lake. are prior for basis Bay for and

had

U

U

II

H r — 23 —

HBM&S CO. LIMITED PROPOSAL — QUESTIONS (continued)

Mr. Fraser stated that the need for unusual measures to depressurize the mine became apparent only in November, 1988 as mine development progressed. Until this problem is overcome mining has been restricted to the upper level of mine development, so that mining was being done at only 30% of the production budget and less than 10% of capacity. Mining at this level of production would not normally be economic.

In answer to a question from Mr. Phil Leonard of the Rocky Lake Cottage Association, Mr. Fraser stated that the estimated depressurizing/dewatering pumping rate was down from the original estimate, when the report was compiled, to a current estimate of 300 L/s. A ridge surrounding Chocolate Lake would prevent outflow into Rocky Lake. Toxicity tests had been conducted on the depressurized water at about the 4,000 p.p.m. T.D.S. level without toxic effect on rainbow trout and other aquatic life. At this concentration, jackfish would probably be adversely affected. The depressurizing operation should not have any direct affect on the water or water levels in Rocky Lake.

In answer to other questions, Mr. Fraser confirmed that the current consideration by the Company was not to discharge water from the wastewater pond directly to Namew Lake but to inject it into the depressurizing water pipeline and by this means discharge it to Chocolate Lake along with effluent from the mine wastewater storage pond. He stated that the pH of the wastewater pond discharge was too high to re—use in the mill process — that metal recovery in the mill process could be affected by the high pH. He also stated that in the event of an emergency discharge to Namew Lake during an extreme rainstorm event, attempts would be made to pump down the water level of the reclaim pond and return the effluent to the tailings pond area.

In response to another question, Mr. Fraser said that the net acid generating potential of tailings from the Namew Lake mine and mill operation the is of the order of only 0.4 to 0.5% sulphur as compared to tailings from Flin Flon operation in the range of 20 — 25% sulphur. The Fun Flon tailings of has a net acid generating potential of almost 500 kg of acid per tonne -

17

— 24 —

----I

HBM&S CO. LIMITED PROPOSAL — QUESTIONS (continued) tailings. Such acid conditions can result in the release of heavy metals from [] the tailings residue. Such metals can then reach the nearby receiving streams. It is fortunate that the sulphur content of the ore is so low at the Namew Lake mine.

In response to a question from Mr. Ed. Johanson, representing the Manitoba Environmental Council, Mr. Fraser was of the opinion that the stocking of Chocolate Lake with rainbow trout would be good proof of a (i discharge of mine water to Namew Lake from Chocolate Lake that would be acceptable to the water of Namew Lake. .. [_1

Answering another questioner, Mr. Fraser explained that due to the mining method employed in the Namew Lake mine with a resultant fine grind of the tailings that backfilling this material into the mine was not a practical consideration.

In answer to another question, Mr. Fraser stated that if the depressurizing water stays at a T.D.S. level of 4,000 or becomes higher, dilution would likely be the only practical method of reducing the Li concentration to an acceptable level for discharge.

In response to a question from Mr. Larry Strachan, Chief of Environmental Control Programs of the Environment Department, Mr. Eraser agreed that a single point discharge from Chocolate Lake would be a logical licencing requirement. He also favoured the formation of a committee to develop a rehabilitation plan for the mine for implementation following mine closing and abandonment. In the event that cyanide is used in the mill operation, the Company would expect to meet standard discharge limits.

Questioning of Mr. Fraser continued at Cumberland House on June 15th following his condensed presentation of the Company proposal on that occasion.

11

II — 25 —

HBM&S CO. LIMITED PROPOSAL — QUESTIONS (continued)

In response to questions by Mayor Morin of Cumberland House, with regard to impurities in mine/mill effluent, Mr. Fraser said that the Company’s proposal was that effluent from the wastewater pond entering the pipeline to Chocolate Lake would meet Federal Mine/Mill Regulation Limits, which he felt were achieveable and had been demonstrated to be reasonable for substances such as nickel and copper. A further part of the proposal is that there be a limit of 2,000 p.p.m. T.D.S. for effluent discharged into Chocolate Lake.

Mayor Morin had further questions about the quality and constituents of the proposed discharge from Chocolate Lake to Namew Lake. In response, Mr. Fraser referred to tests conducted on samples of the brackish water from the mine depressurizing process. Bioassay tests had been conducted by an independent laboratory on samples up to 4,000 mg/L T.D.S. without any lethality. Tests on mill process wastewater was also proven to be non—toxic.

Mr. Fraser said that flow into Namew Lake from the Sturgeon Weir River would, at minimum flow, provide an 80:1 dilution ratio for the wastewater and depressurizing water discharge from the mine. At average flow the dilution ratio would be 160:1. He also said that the proposed establishment of a trout fishery in Chocolate Lake would provide the ultimate test as rainbow trout are the species used in Federal Metal Mining Liquid Effluent Regulations for bioassay purposes.

Brian Christianson, Fisheries Habitat Co—ordinator for Saskatchewan Parks, Recreation and Culture stated that the two species of fish used for the tests referred to by Mr. Fraser, are extremely tolerant of salt. He would be more impressed if the tests had been done on pike or walleye. He agreed with Mr. Fraser that the tests chosen were standard protocols which Mr. Fraser said had been recommended to him by the Manitoba Fisheries Branch; however, he said that in Saskatchewan rainbow trout had been grown in water with a strength of 20,000 p.p.m. T.D.S. because rabbow trout can live naturally in seawater. It was Mr. Christianson’s opinion that 2,000 p.p.m. would be very tough on pike or walleye. discharge of discussion drew with Chocolate alternatives, House entering the insufficient Lake underground surface analysis. 20 1988. into since of to that HBM&S is the cm the a the water would possible support much Rocky the Mr. above insufficient CO. Mr. Chocolate Mr. Biological In dewatering/depressurizing Saskatchewan In In of Winnipeg the go Lake. Fraser response in smaller response response lIMITED was Fraser Namew have Fraser Lake water that from bottom to information the problems as joined Rocky been was previously Lake observation said of Lake. Mr. again pressure groundwater drainage data showed PROPOSAL to time to to of River. the in considerably disposal Lake by McAuley. that questions another further — collection the a went This lake. had Mr. available it a neighboring because discharge graph Lake basin had — would presented been over well Christianson, QUESTIONS indicated questions question, formation option; dropped Since due from problem of and available remain the less had work then for to the of Mr. ______the discharges drainage Chocolate been at however, him pressure expensive was that from (continued) Saskatchewan observation the near Mr. from Manitoba’s The start Leon had who to reduced still to mine/depressurizing salt 450 Fraser Pas, Namew only Mr. assess McAuley, complete basin also of he Lake p.s.i. below through water than underway Christianson, become in the would Lake to re—iterated problem. said well to and would the some a depressurizing the the may a to Namew the Root with level Rocky prefer affect that citizen known that cost detail. about at Lake. not no data Chocolate a and Lake. This there had longer 2.5m have water Lake of Mr. in that to on water 80 collection of Reeder pumping November, been position have Namew This below p.s.i. Fraser disposal was to Rocky Cumberland the program be level to deal drilled Lake the extent Lakes Rocky Lake the and to Lake said

and

I f

(-)

U

U

L {] r

I r — 27 —

HBM&S CO. LIMITED PROPOSAL — QUESTIONS (continued)

In response to the foregoing, Mr. Fraser said that he was only seeking the best environmental solution regardless of political boundaries and that his information, and the opinion of the Manitoba Fisheries Branch officer, was that Namew Lake would be adequately protected through the use of Chocolate Lake as an initial receiving body for the discharge of effluent from the mining operation. In response to a question, Mr. Fraser said that differences in land elevation were such that Chocolate Lake could not be drained by gravity into Rocky Lake.

Mr. Cliff Potter of the Saskatchewan Envi’ronment Mines Pollution Control Branch agreed that there was some salt water entering Namew Lake (he calculated 11 tonnes per day) but he stated that studies undertaken on behalf of the Company by A.E.C.L. to determine where the salt water was entering the bottom of Namew Lake were inconclusive. Major discharges into the bottom of the lake were not discovered. He believed that at times there was an upward pressure on the lake bottom and at times a downward pressure. The known information was not conclusive. Based on the limited information available, he did not believe that there was presently a significant mineral loading on

Namew Lake from underground water in comparsion with the discharge proposed by the Company.

in response, Mr. Fraser said that his calculations of natural loading on Namew Lake amounted to 50 tonnes per day. Mr. Potter agreed that he had used the same data; however, his calculations had used the average concentration values whereas the Company had used the extreme values.

Mr. Potter also had questions about post abandonment rehabilitation, tailing pond seepage, acid generation potential, and leachability. In this regard, Mr. Fraser agreed with a suggestion that, under the prevailing circumstances, a representative of Saskatchewan Environment could be asked to sit on a rehabilitation committee along with members of the public. H

-I

— 28 —

CITIZEN AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS II

A. The Pas, Manitoba

Mr. Ed Johanson representing the Manitoba Environmental Council presented a brief on behalf of the Council.

The brief drew attention to the relatively short notice given for the hearing which did not provide sufficient time for the volunteer Council members to assess the project proposal as thoroughly as they would have wished.

Council believes that a good environmental impact assessment (E.I.A.) must contain at least three things. 1) A description of the environment to be affected, especially its ecosystems and vulnerable components, 2) a description of the potential impacts of the operation on the organisms and ecosystem involved, and 3) an analysis of how these impacts would affect the organisms and ecosystems involved. As well, an Environmental Protection Plan should identify ways of eliminating negative environmental impacts or reducing them to an ‘acceptable level.

Although some of these elements are inadequately covered, the total documents submitted contain all of these components. However, the description and identification of ecosystems and vulnerable species in the Company proposal is weak. More onus should have been put on the developer to get basic biological data as well as the hydrologic and chemical data which was compiled.

A further deficiency was that little resource data was provided for Chocolate Lake or for Namew Lake in the vicinity of the proposed discharge points. U

U

U — 29 —

CITIZEN AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS — THE PAS (continued)

Mr. Roger Smith, who operates a fishing and hunting lodge at Sturgeon Landing on Namew Lake spoke on his own behalf as well as representing the interests of the Native people who live at Sturgeon Landing.

He stated that the lakes and forests in he vicinity provide hunting, trapping, and some commercial fishing for the local population. As well, the river and lake are the primary source of drinking water, as the water from drilled wells is not used by the Native people.

Mr. Smith referred to the disastrous conditions imposed on the environment by other abandoned mining operations in the north and wanted assurance that this project would not have a similar result.

Mr. Smith and the other Sturgeon Landing people are opposed to the use of Namew Lake for disposal of saline waters from the mining operation — or Too other mine effluent — either directly or indirectly via Chocolate Lake. many uncertainties exist.

As regards employment benefits, only one person from Sturgeon Landing is working at the mine and he did not believe that any person from Cumberland House was so employed.

He stated that the roads had not been sufficiently improved or maintained for the volume of truck and passenger vehicle traffic generated by the mine and that present traffic and road conditions were both a hazard and a discouragement to the use of the road by himself and his lodge guests. Shift changes at the mine were an exceptionally bad time for traffic.

He stated that the original information about the Mining development was that nothing was going to be dumped into Namew Lake but now things are changing and he is very concerned.

absolutely

tailings Further

caused

liquid

to Pollution.

operation.

depressurizing

unknown

habitat

Owner’s

inadequate

Lake,

had

discussions

upgrading

CITIZEN

is

the

in

prepared

Wanless,

charge

He

effluent.

by

He

surrounding

Mr.

These

The

Ms.

In

treatment

quantities

has Association.

AND

area,

warned

H.B.M.

related

the

response

binding

Britton,

to

proposed

Jan

greatly

were

OTHER

unknown

information

of

cope

road,

is

and

Cumberland

Malanewich

Namew

that &

being

necessary.

An

to

problems

PRESENTATIONS

S.

rehabilitation

environment

with

and

dewatering

to

of

development

affected

particularly

alternative

that

factors

mining

the

Mr.

Lake

quality

Flin

held

these

on

proposed

proposed

House,

made

Smith’s

with

operations

Flon,

behalf

with

and

are

other

Perhaps

unknown

requirement

had

of

a

air is

—

filtration

smelting

unacceptable

and

with

presentation

the

agreement,

represented water.

concern

THE

by

operation

resulted.

areas

of

of

and

-30-

Sturgeon

Manitoba

a

H.B.M.

values.

great

the

regard

for PAS

performance

water

of

activities.

Traditional

deals

Rocky

over

H.B.M.

(continued)

method

mining

condern

will

&

including

to

quality

to

the

Landing.

on

Department

S.

road

with

Lake dust

the

behalf

&

should

have

Concerned

should

development.

S.

bond

to

conditions

licencing

only

East control.

in

approaches

said

A

restoration to

the

The

of

be

should

great

the

of

be

be

assumptions

Shore

people

Mr.

that

carried

Citizens

pollution

Highways

watched

considered.

Flin

deal

of

John

Mr.

be

Cottage

ongoing

may

The

Flon

this

of

of

required.

Baron,

out

of

Bodnar

closely.

Against

be

Rocky

for

the

of

about

damage

area

on

fish

An

who

the

who

U

I U

D

{]

r f1 — 31 —

AND CITIZEN OTHER PRESENTATIONS — THE PAS (continued)

i4anitoba Department of Natural Resources

Mr. Bruce Wright, Regional Fisheries Branch Representative of the Manitoba Department of Natural Resources, did not have a prepared presentation but agreed to discuss the proposal and its possible affect on the fisheries of Nanew Lake and Chocolate Lakes and to answer questions.

He stated that the Fisheries Branch mandate was to manage the fisheries resource but that the matter of the possible impact of the mining activities on the fisheries resource was the responsibility of the Environment Department. However, based on only limited experience by himself and his colleagues with saline discharges and saline water, he was of the opinion that the alteration to Namew lake from mine discharges would not be significant or long term in nature. He felt that the impacts would be acceptable, provided appropriate monitoring was done.

With regard to Chocolate Lake, Mr. Wright stated that he would like to see the enhancement of that lake by replacement of the fish population with rainbow trout, based on feasibility studies being done. He believed that such a program would be the first of its kind in the north, i.e. the use of a lake as a mixing zone or settling basin for mine effluent discharge and still stocked and utilized as a sport fishery. Such a program would demonstrate to the public that the Company was not destroying the fishery but rather enhancing it for useful value to fishermen.

In addition, the presence of rainbow trout would act as a monitor not only for the water quality of Chocolate Lake but also for the quality of water discharged from Chocolate Lake to Namew Lake.

In response to a question, Mr. Wright said that a T.D.S. level of 200 supports a very productive fishery in some lakes; however, he deferred the question of the optimum level of T.D.S. for fish to the Environment Department.

CITIZEN

T.D.S. said 200

winter has

feasibility present unable summer

on

Lake Lake

change from

trout discharge conditions.

aware damage

engineer setting

by and

and

mine

mg/L

the

sufficient

that maintaining

obligations

Chocolate than

is

of in

of

and In months.

to

Mr.

Mr.

the

due

AND

Mr.

Fisheries

water

discharges not

of

support

Chocolate

fish

with

about

in

response

say

Chocolate

from

if Wright

Roger

ecology

OTHER adequate Wright

to

studies

adversely

He

the

Mr.

the

quality.

if

spawning an

the

oxygen

to

Chocolate

was

2300

The

provincial a

would the

this

Wright’s Smith

environmental PRESENTATIONS

Branch

lake

placed

Namew

agreed Environment very

to

sufficient

of

take

also

on

present

Lake

quality

p.p.m.

fishery

another

was in

impacted.

the

Chocolate

depth be

observed

areas

productive

Lake

should

aware

and

its

a

and

Lake.

with

understood

from

lake response

far

and Swan

pike

levels

on the

natural

is

advocated

was

on

question,

to

a that Department,

overpopulation

greater

and

verify

change —

Chocolate the

sufficient

that

However, the

suggestion Creek Company,

Lake

population

ensure

not

THE

recreational

adversely

to

-32-

some on

fish

portion

by

state

even

toxic

PAS

are

a this

effluent

in

fish

priority

the

Mr.

both

that

good

lakes

are

there

Namew

with

Lake necessary (continued)

if

that

to

for

placement

was

to

by hatchery

Wright

of

of

very parties. ______

the

saline

affect water

carry

and

the

with

Mr.

would

regard

fish

the

was that Namew

would

Lake

or

a

on

fishery

contract

healthy.

lack

Namew

Clem

a

said

lake

the

quality

the

a

a to

to

effluent

the fish

and

commercial

the be

of

be Lake

T.D.S.

to

fish

determine

survive

of

protection

possibility

Moche,

that useful

are

water

presence Lake

well that

important. a

resource

spawning

food

that

or program

population

and

stunted

level

current

which

fishery,

water

is agreement,

quality

an

so

or

in

would

he

fishery.

why

if

of

environmental

that

because

the

of

of

areas was

well

of

would

of

used

the

but

thriving

the

Namew

Narnew

receive

over stocking warmer

limits

it

not

fish

rights

above

lake

he

and

signed has

could flow

He

of

was

a

[‘1 [1

I

-j

U

I — 33 —

CITIZEN AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS — THE PAS (continued)

Mr. Frank Render, a hydrogeologist with the Water Resources Branch of the Department of Natural Resources, in response to a question, gave a brief summary of his view of the origin of the saline water surrounding the mine and the possible scenarios that might be encountered in the depressurizing/dewatering program with regard to continued water volume and salinity. There was a wide range of possibilities. Mr. Render stated that in his opinion there was a possibility that the mine depressurizing program would restrict some of the saline water normally surging upwards into the lake — as had been suggested by Mr. Fraser — so that, by good luck, a balance would be achieved; however, in Mr. Pender’s opinion, this was pure speculation.

Mr. Al Beck, a water quality specialist with The Manitoba Environment Department, in response to a question said that the level of 200 mg/l T.D.S. was a very quick and simple measure of an acceptable level for fish. An analysis of what constituents made up the 200 T.D.S. eg. chlorides, sulphates, carbonates etc. was the ultimate determination of the benefit or disbenefit to fish.

In response to another question, Mr. Beck said that he did not believe that the current proposal by the Company to discharge mine effluent to Chocolate Lake and thence to Namew Lake would adversely affect Namew Lake as a domestic water supply to a significant degree; however, protection of the Namew Narnew Lake fishery should, in general terms, assure the suitability of than humans to Lake as a domestic water source — fish being more sensitive water quality, generally speaking. Mr. Beck believed that the use of Chocolate Lake, as proposed, would help to protect Narnew Lake.

Manitoba Environment Department

Mr. Larry Strachan, Chief of Environmental Control Programs of the Manitoba Environment Department, agreed that the Chocolate Lake option was the most environmentally suitable one.

House B.

when

negotiate

exits

provide

road occasions

respond

its

conveying

lake,

quality

effluent

about

adequate one

classification

CITIZEN

recommended

impact

to

fast

to

Band.

or

for

10%

Ms.

Cumberland

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

apply

Mr.

and

the

that

criteria

AND

temporary

protection.

from

with

moving

depressurizing

to

the

of

Delores

Moche

on

Moche

Moche

Moche

mine

under

OTHER

the

quantify

kind

the

to

end

the

receiving

the

plus

use

the

also

vehicles

so

also

stated

Lake. an

for

House,

of wastewater

the of

PRESENTATIONS

Laliberty

Department pull—off

that

classification

of

the Environmental

information

the

the

suggested

new

environmental

recommended

Manitoba

waters.

that

stocking

In

Saskatchewan

vehicles

pipe

water

effluent

are

Environment

Mr.

areas

made

his

storage

of

seen

discharging

and

Moche’s

that, Water

—

Highways department

that

He

of

a

could

could

discharging

that

THE

Engineer

to

mine

of

presentation

stated

impact

the

-34-

pond

was

be to

Act

Quality

Chocolate

PAS

opinion,

it

pull

be

water

lake

approaching

relieve

about

lacking

before would

the

into

(continued)

constructed

that

in with

had

off

with

onus

terms

to

from Objective

Chocolate

the

requested

the

be

the

Lake;

the

on

road

to

Chocolate

injection

in

trout

was

Chocolate

reasonable

behalf

construction

Company

the of

application

Environment

ahead.

the

traffic

with

at on

effluent

side

should

2A

present

Lake,

intervals the

the

of

Lake.

as

into

a

had

The

out

mixing

Lake

the

proponent

hazards,

Company

to

being

and

provide

quality

failed

the of

Department,

of

Company

of

consideration.

specify

Cumberland

to

for

this

along

harms

these.

pipeline

a

zone

Name.i

on

proper

safety

to

to

and

could

water

two

of

way

the

U

0

El F_i [1 — 35 —

CITIZEN AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS - CUMBERLAND HOUSE (continued)

The Cumberland House Band is very concerned about the potential environmental impact of discharge effluent from the Namew Lake mine and mill operation on the water quality of Namew Lake and then downstream on Cumberland Lake. The Band draws its domestic water supply from Cumberland Lake.

She stated that there had not been any consultation about the mining project with the Band and the following major concerns will have to be addressed:

1. Federal Environmental Assessment rviewed by the Federal Minister of Environment.

2. Public hearings in Saskatchewan, preferrably Curnberland House.

3. Water Quality standards established, since there doesn’t seem to be any evidence of standards set.

4. Identification of impact to drawdown area.

5. Baseline information required on effluent discharge.

6. Information on seepage of water discharge.

7. Tailings reclamation programs required.

In response to a question following the presentation, Ms Rose Thission, Environmental Worker for the Band indicated that the Lake water surrounding Cumberland House had already been badly impacted by the Saskatchewan Hydro—electric power plant development upstream on the Saskatchewan River. The already serious adverse impact of this development was a cause of concern that the water quality might be even further impacted by the Namew Lake mine. Bands’ treaty fishing. the only unable Environment District Chief Council CITIZEN Environmental the 4. 1. 3. of 2. Treaty The rights. Mr. The to Mr. AND stated Cumberland Chiefs Staff attend proposed Prince Felix Allen Offices. OTHER Cumberland The Bands discharge There fisheries consumption. on The A impacts and Federal Executive that The the Council. Peter Namew had the Felix, riparian Albert Impact PRESENTATIONS and is discharge project mine House he on four hearing. insufficient Mr. the Ballantyne on and Lake Environmental is House the District and Assessment District Officer With main individuals Band Felix’s a wildlife Federal Also, rights contemplates mine/mill Namew politically mill of Band points but Mr. — effluent the Representative, in to Band operations presentation Lake Chief’s CUMBERLAND Crown. also is information Felix resources process the — water effect Assessment using a operation to 36 and is signatory operations the elected a make; was — from a Council and substantial Cumberland signatory of the Peter in at Tamrny HOUSE have to the on the §askatchewan. was will Namew and lake official Prince hunting, to the has Ballantyne mine/mill mine not also Oleksyn, of (continued) Review Treaty water have to effects Lake. House played the violation been effluent made Albert Treaty as severe Prince trapping for should waterways. determined. #5 well the would an on Band, of between human District #6 active behalf Council’s of on environmental the Albert as be and violate who and those the being effluent conducted these the were of role Chiefs not the the

in

U

U [

F.

H

14 12

Li 1’ [Jj - 1 I — 37 —

CITIZEN AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS — CUMBERLAND HOUSE (continued)

The Bands have rights to an unpolluted source of water and damage to the fishery will violate the Bands’ rights to fish and to economic development.

Mr. Felix stated that he was not against development but was concerned about health hazards posed by the mining development.

Mayor Leonard Morin of Curnberland House stated that the livelihood of the Cumberland House Band was basically derived from trapping and fishing and that these activities were the backbone of the Cumberland House Community prior to construction of the Squaw Rapids Dam, u’pstream on the Saskatchewan River. These Band activities did not pollute the environment. Cumberland House is an island surrounded by Cumberland Lake, the Saskatchewan River and the Tearing River. Namew Lake discharges to Cumberland Lake.

Cumberland House is a mixed community of Treaty people and t4etis people. The Band has Treaty rights but the Metis people do not have special rights.

Of all the 44 northern communities, Cumberland House is the most southerly and is in a special area, unique because of big game — moose, elk, deer, and bear; wild birds — ducks and geese; and fish — sturgeon, pike, walleye, whitefish, goldeye, etc. These resources provide a living for the local inhabitants. The living was good until the Squaw Rapids Dam destroyed this livelihood and, since then, the traditional lifestyle has changed considerably. Tourism is a part of the community’s industry.

Because of the adverse effects of the Squaw Rapids Dam and the resultant destruction of trapping, fishing, and hunting, the Band filed a Statement of Claim for $200 million but has since reached a settlement for less than this amount. During this process the Band also filed a court injunction against the Francis Finiay Dam in Nipawin and again reached a settlement agreement. discharge done matter wildlife. had also destroy improved Cumberland the water. Because to from a from new, the discharge treatment CITIZEN well the been dam, river by the the good the Mr. Mayor In Namew The The Saskatchewan but Part the sone of AND no possibility road from mine. Namew of summary, water by plant, from Morin Offensive Cornniunity Cumberland Lake. a the previous Province OTHER of effluent Morin of Lake dam pail. services the water Lake Cumberland the the supply The asked on with mine Concerns Sturgeon PRESENTATIONS the was foregoing best River mine. The the treatment consultation odours of also of was from House a Cumberland and if development. interested is Saskatchewan. seepage Terring Cumberland reservoir fishing not there and is in Lake. employment Weir the This include or Community concerned of jeopardy settlement clear plant Namew air had water River, from flows good - and Before with House in beside CUMBERLAND possible emissions House been drinking will — Mr. Lake the spawning quality opportunities. system. from is from 38 the that the community this involved an mine. Fraser’s strongty not Community the — Mine Cumberland water Namew toxic Environmental pollutants health were water and was remove Big HOUSE areas into Mayor contaminants water Lake constructed is $1 Stone statements another is opposed effects is is (continued) Namew diverted in million toxic strongly House Morin obtained, now to Cross in River had Cumberland Lake. concern. Impact the to chemicals concerned for to Community stated for about Bay the around the at opposed discharge be in both by a the Assessment and discharge conveyed Community the new possible means that There humans the point that from Lake. discharge on to water there will island the the of the the was of from and

had

U

U El

F p Manitoba CITIZEN

Mr. optimum This general

but component

rule—of—thumb

important Lake, the Surface

to

Lake.

would life, it fishery trout course, continued indigenous water, standard

saline concentration

was follow

Al

in discharge

letter

as

and

provide are

Mr.

Beck

reality

Mr.

Mr. Assuming

water Mr. AND as

T.D.S.

and

Water

of

that

Environment

proposed,

recommended

factor. that

a

that

more

use

they Larry

Beck’s

Beck’s Namew

to OTHER

Christianson

addressed of

non—specific

discharge

disinfection

conditions,

to

Quality effluent

an

Namew of

of

the values

best

the

saline

sensitive

may

wastewater

Strachan

assess

added

Lake. Namew

PRESENTATIONS

other

letter

assessment

Manitoba

make—up

It would

be

promotes

Lake.

Department

practice.

a

for

is plume

Objectives

discharge

more

and

measure

Lake

chemicals

discussion,

conditions

The

agreed

way,

also the

be

to

it

representing

fisheries.

of

of

that, discharge

There

Environment susceptible

beneficial

from

most

establishment

as

is

carbonate

fisheries

that

all

a

the

contained

of

a -

appropriate that,

level

will

under Chocolate

set

would contaminants

domestic surface

CUMBERLAND

or

constituents

protection

there

for —

held

elements

for to

not

while

39

This of

Manitoba

optimum

production. fraction

such

to

likewise

Water

to

his

Chocolate

would —

at

200

the exceed

waters,

thermal

of water

such

letter

Lake

to rainbow

the

opinion

conditions,

HOUSE

mg/l

protection

a

to

that

Standards

be

than

use

of fisheries

trout

things Environment hearing

bf

for

a

Namew

not

supply,

no

before

confirmed

T.D.S.

the

acclimation

Lake

T.D.S.

may trout

(continued)

T.D.S.

other

trout

that

any

detrimental

be

fishery

T.D.S.

Lake,

as be

will

a

and

at

distance of it

recognizing,

domestic

for

might production

the

value

fish hazard

are present heavy

that

The

would

cold

read

Studies that

meet

since

tests

would

use

in

more

and

species

Pas,

be

is

of

metals.

water

effect

Chocolate

to

a

in

of

be

Manitoba’s

into

use,

in

a

mixing the

2000

rainbow

of

tolerant

letter

be

the

about

a Section. potential

Chocolate difficult

mine

of

the

very

the

aquatic Namew

is

mg/l,

on

of

a

from

the

Lake

of ______r

CITIZEN AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS — CUMBERLAND HOUSE (continued) [1

In response to a question, Mr. Strachan outlined the protection of water quality that would be given by the suggested application of Manitoba’s 2A Water Quality Objectives to Chocolate or Namew Lakes. Mr. Beck had suggested in other correspondence with the Commission that a mixing zone in the order of a lOOm radius should be considered for application to the p discharge of effluent from Chocolate Lake to Namew Lake in order to allow for Ii mixing in such a zone.

U In response to another question, Mr. Strachan confirmed that Manitoba’s Surface Water Quality Objectives contain specifit maximum level limits for a wide variety of contaminants, including heavy metals. -

F, Saskatchewan Environment Department

Mr. Randy Sentis, Assistant Deputy Minister of Saskatchewan Environment and Public Safety made the final presentation at the Cumberland House hearing.

He stated that information provided by the proponent had been forwarded [1 to Saskatchewan Environment for review. In commenting to Manitoba, - Saskatchewan raised a number of concerns related to the project and, since the original submission was received, some additional information had been provided; however, on the basis of information provided it is still not possible to adequately assess the project, and its environmental impacts.

People residing in the area, including Cumberland House and Sturgeon U Landing, are very concerned about the quality of their environment, and possible effects on resources resulting from the project. U

Despite the fact that the development has been ongoing for more than two years, the proponent has not been in direct contact with area residents. Public consultation is of critical importance in the planning and assessment of major development projects for the identification of local concerns. — 41 —

CITIZEN AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS — CUMBERLAND HOUSE (continued)

Baseline environmental data are lacking to assess effects on wildlife, vegetation, and the social community. Data are also lacking on aquatic resources and water quality. Impacts on aquatic ecosystems are of primary interest. Basic limnological/hydrological data are required.

With regard to the project description, uncertainties remain with respect to the quality and quantity of depressurizing water. There are large variations in both estimated discharge quantities and T.D.S. content. The proponent’s conclusion that an increase in T.D.S. will benefit Namew Lake cannot be supported. In addition, the proponent’ has not described the effects of depressurizing on regional systems.

More information is required on the characteristics of all waste streams, the efficiency and effectiveness of treatment systems, and final discharge quality.

Possible seepage from the tailings management area and wastewater ponds has not been adequantly addressed. It is inappropriate to use clean runoff to meet contaminant discharge standards.

Saskatchewan Environment supports a single point of discharge for all project effluents; preferably in a Manitoba drainage area or alternatively Chocolate Lake.

In the absence of adequate data, it is impossible to form an adequate assessment of possible impacts of the project on the environment. Impacts on the terrestrial environment seem to have been disregarded. The proponent seems to believe that if effluent discharge standards are met, impacts on aquatic systems will be minimal. Standards have not been established for some water quality parameters, including metals. If Chocolate Lake is utilized, surface water quality objectives should be established, including a limited mixing zone and the objectives should be used to establish effluent loading limits for both the mine/mill and the depressurizing system. — 42 —

CITIZEN AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS — CUMBERLAND HOUSE (continued)

For the purpose of monitoring the biological impacts, Saskatchewan Environment commends H.B.M.& S. for their commitment to establish a rainbow trout fishery in Chocolate Lake in 1989.

Project documentation suggests that the proponent wishes to monitor the operation and react to problems as they are identified. While monitoring is important, it does not substitute for a comprehensive pre—operation evaluation of potential impacts, which is necessary to determine environmental acceptability.

Saskatchewan is concerned that if the project is approved, they would have no input to the establishment of release standards, or access to monitoring data. Projects which directly overlap provincial boundaries demand £ a co—operative approach to ensuring environmental protection.

No contingency plans have been provided outlining planned actions in the event of a dam spill, containment pond seepage, etc. This is especially important in view of the proximity of the project to Namew Lake.

Saskatchewan believes that decommissioning and abandonment procedures should be considered and addressed in the design of a mining and milling LI project — not at the end — particularly where long—term effects may be felt in Saskatchewan. The tailings, wastewater handling and waste rock sites are areas requiring attention now.

In conclusion, Mr. Sentis stated that the Province of Saskatchewan seeks assurance that, if approved, the Namew Lake project proceed in an environmentally acceptable manner. Information available does not allow U adequate assessment of effects. Saskatchewan asks that a joint environmental control system be established between Saskatchewan and Manitoba regulatory U agencies, including joint inspections and a co—operative approach to determining requirements for licencing, monitoring and reporting.

ci — 43 —

CITIZEN AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS — CUMBERLAND HOUSE (continued)

Commenting on the Saskatchewan presentation Mr. McAuley supported the conclusions and, in addition, felt that the Federal Government should be involved in the case of a Federal/Provincial waterway.

Ms. Laliberty commented that the review period for participants had not been sufficient to allow adequate preparation for and participation in the review and consideration of the impacts on the area residents.

Mayor Morin supported the Saskatchewan Environment presentation. He also re—iterated that the Cumberland House water treatment system would not protect against toxic chemicals in the water.

Mr. Robert Kent, from Edmonton, representing Environment Canada, stated that Environment Canada will provide comments to the Province of Manitoba on the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Assessment. Minewater effluent from the Namew Lake mine will be subject to the Metal Mining Liquid Effluent Regulation under the Federal Fisheries Act. In addition, the Federal Environmental Assessment and Review Office officials are reviewing the Company’s development in consultation with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs to determine if the Federal process should apply.

SUMMARY, DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Namew Lake Mine is a joint venture of H.B.M.&S., Flin Flon and Outokumpu of Europe. It is a nickel—copper mine located 64 km south of Flin was Flon within 1 1/2 km of the Manitoba—Saskatchewan boundary. The project registered under the Clean Environment Act of Manitoba in July, 1987. Under this Act, applications only had to be filed prior to construction and operation of a facility.

water.

Approximately

reclaim

process

since

concentrate

constitutes

the

subsequent

Mill located

estimated ore

is A

located

Department

The

distance

drains

principally

through of

Lake

Lake

is

SUMMARY,

6

located

part

HBM&S

sulfide

body

or

Pas.

construction

Athapapuskow

is

the

The

Mine

7

The

into

The

The pond.

is

beneath

at

Whitey

of

the

took

km

of

is

DISCUSSION

high

to

This

tailings discharged

stages

on

the mine

of

mine

the

Company

minerals

the

is

development

extension

Cumberland

the

contributory

Sturgeon

in

last

80%

place

the

Highways

Water

alkalinity

separated

south

road

Narrows

the

Saskatchewan

mill

Namew

is

Saskatchewan

site

of

was

to

5.5

shore

with

accessed

Province

pond

reported

at

services

AND

from

the

which

a

tailings

east

Weir

is

to

years

completed

Lake

to

fine

the

which

House

and

its

of

began

located

CONCLUSIONS

mill

a

is

into

the

to

would

the

corner

River

wastewater

contain

Narnew

120

in

hence

tributaries

decanted

product.

at

by

of

River

this

that

toad has River.

the

enters

water

copper

reclaim

and

the

in

a

and

a

Saskatchewan

be

in

which within

planned

Lake.

1985

of

community

its

gravel

to drainage

mill

is

Cambrian

was

Watershed

detrimental

the

the

320

requirements

Namew

Manitoba.

Cumberland

-44-

and

and

(continued)

discharged

junction The

pond

storage

A

with

required

drains

process

metal.

fall

in

in

the

flotation

Lateral

road

nickel.

the

production

level.

Saskatchewan

Lake.

basin.

Manitoba.

is

rock

the

of

drainage

of

and

Division.

effluent

serviced

Amisk

re—used

pond.

with

Sturgeon

wastewater

to

The

1988.

sinking

to

Lake.

to

development

formation.

discharges

will

Most

The

the process

service

Namew

a

underfiow

?TH

Lake

rate

basin

tailings

The

be

in

nickel

waste

is

The

of

by

River

Cumberland

of

Landing,

410

The

Lake

in

met

discharged

the

of

the

the

main

cannot

ore

is a

the

of

near

to

main

Saskatchewan

product

Ore

1300

shaft.

to

within

mill.

with

flotation

from

used ore

Manitoba

is

Namew

pond.

is

mine/mill

Cross

mining

intersect

reserves

Saskatchewan.

Atik,

located

inlet

be

ground

tonnes/day.

body

Lake

reclaimed

this

to

a

Lake

re—used

to

from

This

Lake

The

recover

short

complex

is

North

in

to

a

process

in

site

and which

this

are

the

shaft

turn

Namew

of

U

U

U

r fl SUMMARY, process.

discharged

and

wastewater storage

in

development throughout

reaching the mine

the

fractures

full required removed

the 115 the

flow (T.D.S.).

Company

discharge

Lake considered of and

the

mine

development

the Company

mg/i depressurizing

Company

Frewan

very

development

to

via

Federal

Unlike

A

pond. Aside

Environment

is

a DISCUSSION

but water,

Lull

in

and

As number

Frewan

which

quickly.

T.D.S.

to

pond

route

the

brackish This

as

Lake

had

established

order

at

well

all

Rocky

the

from all

production

The

Metal

alternatives. years,

300

approximately

effluent.

of to

under

compares

of

but

would to Lake

of

of

as

wastewater

of

to

Company

the

be

lateral

water

Lake L/s

AND

alternate

the

because

Depressurizing the containing

2000 mill

one

Mining

the

drop

and

Namew

stopped

full

Namew

both

CONCLUSIONS

(4000

Goose

mining that

from

mining

(Rocky

because

projected to

mg/I.

process

the

the

reported

drifts. water

Liquid

Lake

require

of

a

pond.

Lake

the

300

i.g.p.m.) wastewater

River,

10

south Two

in pressure

T.D.S.

their

an operation.

Lake)

operations

days

of has

late pressure

rock

to

wastewater,

wastewater

of

average

Effluent

of

over —

At

that (continued) Bay

the a A

350

Sturgeon

been the

Saskatchewan

range

45

detention

involved

massive

hydrogeological

1988 surrounding the

the

in

which

of

approval

mg/l. — the

discharge

the

candidate

the

water could

of the

proposed

Rocky

that

due

Unfortunately,

in

Regulations

life

discharge

objectives

4000

includes

seepage

Weir

water only

mine,

Namew

Namew

to

The

is

the

bearing flood

Lake of

of

major

the

mg/l

location.

routes available

River,

routes mine

average

flow

Commission problem. the

prevent

Lake the

Lake.

wastes

via

consultant ore

the

freshwater

via

total

would

ear

Saskatchewan prevented

water

zone

mine

rate

ranging

were

Cross — Lake

body

lower

the

Chocolate

rate

substances

Sturgeon

flooding

from

in

was The

dissolved

is

of

be

Underground

inflows

water

examined

3

have

contained

Bay the

part

of

estimated

mill

met were

retained

dilution shown

to from

the

from

pumping

wastewater

on

dealt

to

dilute

Lake, Weir

on

Department

of

and

mine

process

during

90

Namew

listed

to be

solids

by

the

the

major

allow

to

River with

by

be

by

are

the a

of

the mine storage ads hearing which water. discharge is and discredit sensitive seemed by depressurizing It basin operation discharge had had in representatives since was this available increase 300—350 SUMMMVI, reach to did the large only saline concerns been discredited site increase discharge borders of it this The note to Company The pond Rocky from mg/l mentioned discredited Rocky number serves in DISCUSSION be known is the to reaching of at water Company Namew location that T.D.S. into the dealing at changes about wastewater and the on discharge Lake of relating of Lake to as a at as from by several eggs Indian at T.D.S. Lake Goose the a concentration the the a has Chocolate Rocky is The the a of the pipeline 1%). was would AND Namew with by in primary the flow also and rock proposal 65 east proposed possibility Pas River Company Reserves mineral of to the not from could CONCLUSIONS Indian Lake. mg/i. East saline In larvae be through part Lake the T.D.S. hearing. formation end Company considered containing the Lake. the spawning extremely location short have wastewater as since of discharge Reserves. of to of concentration Direct In of located case mining rather and advertised the discharge a the 0.2% of some the The fisheries cottagers in — (continued) small They and the of spawning seepage and would system 46 Root discharge by its view long. the before than outlet operation impact near the its T.0.S. — proposal. to had them rearing lake There proposal. depressurizing and be of effluent Namew brackish the would impacts included Reeder although fish concerns group from The dilution areas to from on minimal the some Reeder in were south of be area to this Rocky are Lake any company the result Chocolate effluent of 6 Lake did a on Namew from water no The only km Lake usually basin part the possibility about Rocky area for and Lake mine in Rocky Lake representives not north since reference in water. the documentation the a Lake; the the representative, drainage of of (sea ranges wastewater, of necessarily the to Lake discharge reference a Lake Lake. wastewater the receiving the Lake Rocky pipeline further east Rocky the the water however, The were most mining since is from newspaper presented south fishery. of system They Lake pipeline Lake. located at at present to route the to the it the 3.5%

also

U

Li

I

fl

fl LI — 47 —

SUMMARY, DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS (continued) at the west end of the Lake. Chocolate Lake is a tributary to Namew Lake in the vicinity of the mine site. The Company has proposed that the discharge be restricted to a T.D.S. level of 2000 mg/l with the expected discharge being 300 L/s (4000 i.g.p.m.). In the event that this T.D.S. concentration is exceeded, make—up from Namew Lake will be used to dilute the effluent. The purpose of utilizing Chocolate Lake is to act as a reservoir in adjusting the temperature of the effluent and equalizing the chemistry of the discharge. If the depressurizing water was to be discharged directly to Namew Lake, there was a concern that thermal stratification would occur with a concentration of the brackish water in one area of Namew Lake. This concentration of wastewater could significantly impact the area of the lake containing the higher level of mineralization. The Environment Department representatives felt that the Chocolate Lake discharge would mix with Namew Lake and would not be prejudicial to the Lake fishery. The view was also expressed that the impact to the water supply at Cumberland House would be insignificant. The Company reported that both lethal and chronic toxicity tests had been conducted on the depressurizing water as well as the effluent from the wastewater pond and the results had exceeded the toxicity requirement under the Federal Metal Mining Regulations. The Company had also agreed to work together with the Fisheries Branch in stocking Chocolate Lake with trout. It was the expectation that Chocolate Lake would become a valuable sport fishery with the introduction of trout. A Manitoba Fisheries Branch representative felt that not only would the trout fishery be attractive but would also act as Narnew a large scale bioassay to monitor the wastewater before discharge to Lake.

At the request of the Minister of Environment of Saskatchewan, the Commission were asked to reconvene a hearing at Cumberland House, Saskatchewan in order to communicate directly with residents in that area located on Cumberland Lake. This includes the community of Cumberland House and 2 Indian Reserves. There is also a settlement and an Indian Reserve located at the Sturgeon inlet to Namew Lake at Sturgeon Weir Landing. The residents of Landing were represented by a resort operator and outfitter from this location would dilution concerning discharge before well to were be benefits purposes. sufficient outlet treatment. waters information portion commercial and Lake Manitoba, well was Landing, in Environment Cuinberland the at SUMMARY, the discharged Saskatchewan the question to Prince as not system represented also merits The being of The of the hearing aesthetics. of of accrue impacts Cumberland DISCUSSION limit. Cumberland Namew, the Commission be detail majority the Namew and effect Albert Lake. the contained Residents as and released the and significantly to principal a impacts for at wastewater to Natural and Namew water that Cross proponent. Lake. by validity It for Representatives District that The Saskatchewan sustenance of therefore House both AND was Perhaps Lake concludes would to the located in Pas. Lake. on the and supply. although Resources The portion CONCLUSIONS Chocolate also the local Namew and residents for with of presentations Cumberland Chiefs diluted affect Commission Cumberland proposal the The a noted Saskatchewan along municipal purposes. the the officials and trout that fresh Lake Cumberland of the main concern were with which impacts 2 Lake. the the by that and its the Namew Indian -48- (continued) there from water fishery theme by Lake the was residents’ wastewater in the House water the residents, Lake includes wastewater the to The expressed and would the attendance Lake are addition representatives House Reserves for told Saskatchewan agencies was from the withdrew Company residents and a in outflow supply still Mine district its Commission the occur that Chocolate Namew withdraws the the health receiving the by fishery of view from project were uncertainties was to purposes residents to 2 2 water of all in depressurizing wastewater Lake also reserves Indian be make Departments representative the and that incomplete Chocolate dependent the of were assured Lake water indicated both to for depend water is wastewater livelihood Saskatchewan a the since following Reserves meet of presentation located and opposed domestic sport, located presentations from should Sturgeon is with that Lake, upon upon also a and no of that located water the in were from pond regard to as there lacked the on the not the

the

U

U

U

U El — 49 —

SUMMARY, DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS (continued) particularly near the discharge location. The major uncertainty is connected with a lack of knowledge of the volume and character of the underground depressurizing water. Based upon figures provided by the Company on the volume of Chocolate Lake, the volume of wastewater, and the spring run—off contributions to Chocolate Lake, the T.D.S. of the outflow from Chocolate Lake will he significantly less than the T.D.S. of the depressurizing water discharge to Chocolate Lake (2,000 mg/l) for a period of at least 1 year. Chocolate Lake, without any other source of inflow and based on laminar flow, would provide a residence time of close to 1 year. Whatever impacts occur in Namew Lake will be much less than those which would occur in Chocolate Lake. The Commission believes that this period of time would provide an opportunity for investigations to be undertaken by the Company with guidance from representatives of all parties who have an interest in Chocolate and Namew Lakes.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Commission recommends:

1. That a temporary licence be issued to the applicant for the Narnew Lake Mine project, expiring on July 31, 1990, that will permit the Company to discharge water from the depressurizing of underground rock and effluent from the wastewater storage pond into the east end of Chocolate Lake.

2. That the combined flow of water and wastewater from depressurizing and from the wastewater storage pond of the said project be stored effectively in Chocolate Lake so that the temperature of the discharge from the lake will correspond as nearly as possible with water in the near shore area of Namew Lake at the location of the outflow of Chocolate Lake and so that Chocolate Lake will also act as of the an averaging basin for the chemical characteristics inflow. U

-50-

RECOMMENDATIONS (continued)

3. That the Manitoba Department of Environment establish limits on the wastewater storage pond effluent of the said project to meet cold water aquatic life water quality objectives in Chocolate Lake exclusive of the discharge [1 from the depressurizing effluent but taking into account a mixing zone in Chocolate Lake. (Manitoba Surface Water Quality Objectives, 1988; sections 1.9 and 2.2.1).

4. That the discharge from the underground mine depressurizing program from the said projecb be pumped to Chocolate Lake [} at a rate and concentration not exceeding 300 L/s (4000 i.g.p.m.) and 2000 mg/l total dissolved solids.

5. That the mill tailings effluent from the said project be recycled to the mill for use as process water at a rate of at least 80% of the mill water requirements. Investigations should continue into the reclamation of additional mill tailings or mill process wastewater.

6. That a Committee consisting of a representative of the Manitoba Department of the Environment, Manitoba Department

of Natural Resources — Fisheries Branch, Manitoba

Department of Natural Resources — Water Resources Branch, Saskatchewan Department of the Environment, Saskatchewan Department of Natural Resources, a resident of Cumberland House and a resident of Sturgeon Landing be formed to U collaborate with the applicant for the following purposes:

Li

Li

a! I — 51 —

RECOtIIIENDATIOt4S (continued)

6. Ca) to identify an effective monitoring program on all aspects of the liquid wastewater handling system of the project to be undertaken by the applicant. In the interim, until the committee is functional, the applicant shall undertake a monitoring program (Notes 1 and 2) as identified on pages

37 & 38 of the applicant’s presentation to the Commission and overhead 15 presented at the hearings in June, 1989 by the applicant;

Cb) to identify limnological surveys that the Company will undertake on Chocolate and Namew Lakes that will enable the evaluation of the impacts of the wastewater discharges from the project on Namew Lake and also the ability of Chocolate Lake to support a population of sport fish;

(i) surveys to be undertaken shall include samples and analysis of the domestic water supply of the communities of Cumberland House and Sturgeon Landing.

Cc) to identify a program that the applicant will undertake on

Lake B south of the minesite and also the south basin of Rocky Lake to determine the impacts on walleye rearing in the south basin in the event that a decision must be made to utilize this drainage route for wastewater from the project; Cd) to collaborate with the Company in identifying the best method of operating the reclaim, tailings and wastewater storage ponds to prevent emergency spills through the overflow structures directly to Namew Lake under all but extreme conditions of precipitation; r

-52-

RECOMMENDATIONS (continued) I

(e) to identify a tailings pond rehabilitation program. H

This Committee shall be chaired by a representative of the H Manitoba Department of the Environment who will, in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Department of the p Environment select a representative from the Saskatchewan Li Department of the Environment, the Saskatchewan Department of a Natural Resources, and representative from each of the H Saskatchewan communities of Cumberland House and Sturgeon Landing. This selection process shall begin immediately and the Committee shall begin meetings before August 31, 1989. The applicant shall be responsible for payment of the expenses of the Saskatchewan members of the Committee to attend the meetings.

(i) This Committee shall make a report at the end of each month to the “Director of the Manitoba Department of Environment.

El

7. The Company shall make a full report, including up to date information from its hydrogeological consultant, on the status 1 and results of the Company’s depressurizing/dewatering program including an assessment of the hydrogeological effects on the surrounding area affected and the quantity and quality of the water being withdrawn. This information shall be made available to the Committee prior to its first meeting (August 31).

ci

‘I

Li — 53 —

RECOMMENDATIONS (continued)

B. That the Clean Environment Commission shall convene a hearing or hearings to hear representations based on the studies undertaken by the Company on behalf of the Committee named in Clause 6, and any other recommendations of the Committee, the main purpose of which hearings would be to determine possible further mitigative measures that might be undertaken on the wastewater discharge or to prescribe an alternative discharge method. This hearing shall be held on or about July 1, 1990.

In this regard, should the Committee detrmine before this date that Namew Lake is being or will likely be adversely affected to an unacceptable degree, the Committee shall request the Clean Environment Commission to hold a hearing to review the situation before this date.

NOTE 1 [Reconunendation 6(a)] — Copy of Overhead 15

MONITORING:

— Quality

— Flows

(A) Underground Flows — bi—weekly (B) Mill Process Tailings Discharge

Tailings Weir — weekly Reclaim Reservoir Depressurizing Mine Final Stamp

(C) Namew Lake Supply — hi—weekly

Intended Quality — Federal Limits

— Aquatic Toxicity Tests

Receiving Body — Quality Monitoring

— Limnology, etc. [1

— 54 —

NOTE 2 [Recommendation 6(a)] — pages 37 and 38 of Applicant’s Presentation to the Commission U Monitoring programs have been established at the Narnew mine/mill site to gather effluent quality and flow data on the various streams, discharges U and receiving bodies. These programs will also indicate changes in effluent quality which could require incorporation of or changes to treatment techniques.

Sampling locations have been chosen underground at different levels to monitor the quality of various flows which ultimately report to the final underground sump for discharge to surface. Theunderground samples are 1] collected by Mine Department personnel on a bi—weekly basis and delivered, to the Hudson Bay Analytical Department in Flin Flon for analysis. fl Effluent discharges from underground and surface mill operations are directed to effluent containment areas adjacent to the mine/mill complex. Weekly samples of mill process water discharge, tailings discharge and final discharge from the tailings containment area prior to entering the reclaim reservoir, are collected by Mine Department personnel and delivered to the Hudson Bay Analytical Department for analysis. Bi—weekly samples of Namew Lake raw water supply and minewater discharge from the final underground sump to surface are collected by Mine Department personnel and delivered to the Hudson Bay analytical Department for analysis.

Monitoring program results will be considered with respect to standards established for quality. It is intended that the effluent quality of the wastewater storage pond discharge and tailings/reclaim pond system discharge, if there is any, will meet the Federal Mine/Mill effluent regulation limits and pass aquatic toxicity tests as outlined in the Canadian Fisheries Act. (Metal Mining Liquid Effluent Guidelines). Final discharges to Namew Lake will produce, outside of an immediate mixing zone, only trivial or non—significant elevations of constituents. Appropriate lake quality sampling and monitoring surveys will none—the—less be conducted.

I

U

Li

Li

I

LI

‘LI

Li

n

U

U

U

H