ReSDA Atlas: Summary of Northwest Territories Mines
Compilation of summary information of mines past 2016 and present for the Northwest Territories
ReSDA Atlas: Summary of Northwest Territories Mines
ReSDA Atlas: Summary of Northwest Territories Mines
COMPILATION OF SUMMA RY INFORMATION OF MI NES PAST AND PRESENT FOR THE NORT HWEST TERRITORIES
Amauligak Project Oil and Gas Prairie Creek Mine Beaulieu Mine Ptarmigan/Tom Mine Camlaren Mine Rayrock Mine Cantung Mine Ruth Mine Colomac Mine Salmita Mine Con Mine Snap Lake Mine Courageous Lake Project Thompson-Lundmark Mine Diavik Mine Tundra Mine Discovery Mine Yellowknife Gold Project Mine Echo Bay Mine Yellowknife City Gold Project Ekati Diamond Mine Eldorado Mine Gahcho Kué Project Mine Giant Mine Mackenzie Gas Project Nechalacho Project Mine Negus Mine Nico Project Mine Norman Wells Oil Field Outpost Island Mine Pine Point Mine
AMAULIGAK PROJECT SUMMARY
AMAULIGAK Project Oil and Gas Proposed development Description Amauligak was discovered in 1984 and is still the largest oil and gas discovery in the Mackenzie Delta or Beaufort Sea areas at 41,936 acres. ConocoPhillips holds a 55-percent interest in the field, with partners Chevron and the Calgary-based ATCO controlling the remaining 40 percent and 5 percent respectively. In the 1980s, ConocoPhillips acquired 2D seismic data over the field and also drilled some 10 wells. The company is currently conducting a three-year study with other interest holders, to determine how best to develop this asset. The study is looking into regulations, subsurface conditions, environment, stakeholder interests and the potential concepts to develop the field. This study may lead to additional project planning phases to prepare a design concept to drill wells and develop the offshore field. In the second quarter of 2014 the company recorded an impairment for the Amauligak property after a decision not to pursue further development at this time. The company has stated it is committed to the potential of the area as technology develops and price environment improves.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: Mackenzie Delta, under 30 metres of water in the Beaufort Sea, Northwest Territories Type of project: oil and gas exploration project. Owner: ConocoPhillips, Chevron, AMCO Date opened: Not yet operational Estimated project life: N/A
Average number of employees: N/A Estimated size of ore body: 2.2 billion barrels of oil and 1.6 trillion cubic feet of gas. Estimated production value: Currently USD $41 a barrel. Local employment figures: N/A
Mining activities conducted: Year-round
Nearby communities: Tuktoyaktuk, NWT (75 km, 47 miles) Kittigazuit, NWT (57 km, 35 miles)
Access to mine: by ship
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
AMAULIGAK PROJECT SUMMARY
Impacts of Project Positive Negative Because the offshore field is near the town During consultations, community members of Tuktoyaktuk, the NWT government expressed concerns regarding potential hopes the play will fuel the local economy, negative environmental impacts such as ConocoPhillips has contributed over groundwater contamination, impacts on $300,000 to monitoring barren-ground traditional land use and wildlife, and cumulative caribou herd movements since 2006, which impacts of development. Socio-Economic overlaps with onshore areas of interest concerns included traffic volumes, impacts on related to the Amauligak Study Program. local emergency services, and the preservation CP has awarded 48 bursaries to Aurora of culture and traditions. College students, and has advanced training and employment preparedness opportunities related to the potential Amauligak development.
Relevant Links ConocoPhillips (2015), “Canada: Fact Sheet - March 2015”
Dutta, Ashok (2014), “Canadian Arctic is Next Destination for Global Majors”, Oil & Gas Eurasia.
Nikiforuk, Andrew “The Arctic Is Not A Casino: The Beaufort Sea Project and the Enduring Hazards of Arctic Offshore Drilling”, Greenpeace Canada.
Carbon Tracker Initiative (2014), “Oil & Gas Majors: Fact Sheets – ConocoPhillips”
Tait, Carrie and Jeffrey Jones (2014), “Fracking and climate change: Canada’s Far North gets an energy boost”, The Globe and Mail.
ConocoPhillips (2013), “ConocoPhillips Canada Commitments and 2013 Progress”.
Lueers, Ken (2012), “ConocoPhillips Canada Sustainable Development Portal – Executive Message”, ConocoPhillips Canada.
Callow, Lin (2012), “Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Activity Forecast: Canadian Beaufort Sea 2012-2017”, Prepared for Beaufort Regional Environmental Assessment, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
List of relevant research: Enachescu, M.E., Meehan, P.J, Smee, G.W. (1991), “Amauligak and Beyond: The Quest for a Canadian Beaufort Sea Economic Threshold”, Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, 39(2): 211.
Krizan, Julia (2014), “Amauligak Traditional Land Use and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Studies Program 2014/2015”, Aurora Research Institute: NWT Research Database.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
AMAULIGAK PROJECT SUMMARY
Sharpe, Roberrt, Gerry Gurba & Bernhard Sleumer (1988), “Offshore Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin and Amauligak Oil Discovery”, AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91030.
Review Board Decision: N/A
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
BEAULIEU MINE SUMMARY
BEAULIEU Mine
Description of the mine The Beaulieu Mine was a post-World War II gold mining operation near Yellowknife. It began as an effort by Toronto-based business group Beaulieu Yellowknife Mines Limited to develop the Norma gold prospect staked by S. Henson in 1939. The purported gold zone was a quartz vein hosted in sedimentary strata. Early assays were impressive. Hole 57 was probed to a depth of 185 feet, with grades of 1.25 ounces per tonne, while chip sampling in old trenches revealed up to 38 ounces per tonne. These assays fostered investor intrigue, and reports were carefully edited to highlight potential. The company built a small mill (90 tonnes daily capacity), and began production in October 1947, but by the end of November only 7 troy ounces (220 g) of rough gold were recovered. Additional gold was recovered during 1948, but altogether the mine recovered only 30 troy ounces (930 g) of fine gold. The operation folded in chaos and bankruptcy. It is an interesting example of one of the many properties that were strenuously promoted during the heyday of the gold fever in Yellowknife, yet had little real economic value. All buildings at the former mine were destroyed in 1994 during a government cleanup effort.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: Beaulieu River, North Slave Region, the Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: Open pit gold mine Owner(s): Beaulieu Yellowknife Mines Limited Time of operation: From October 1947 to November 1947
Average number of employees: Unknown Estimated size of ore body: 1,200 tonnes Average production value: erratic, .65 ounce gold per tonne Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: N/A Nearby communities: Yellowknife (75 km, 46 miles) Discovery (93 km, 57 miles) Access to mine: By floatplane onto Hansen Lake. Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 2
BEAULIEU MINE SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine
Positive Negative Recovered 7.5 ounces of gold Market manipulation Major loss to investors attracted by false reporting of ore reserves After only one month of production the mine was left to decay for nearly 50 years. Remediation concerns include hydrocarbon contamination, waste rock and tailings with metal contamination, and physical hazard such as old buildings, debris and mine shaft openings. Revealed flaws in the securities business.
Relevant Links Silke, Ryan (2013), “Yellowknife’s goldless gold mine”, Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Magazine.
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (2012), “What’s happening in areas subject to on-going negotiations? Contaminated Site Remediation: 2012 in review”
The Northern Miner (1987), “Queries: Beaulieu Yellowknife a horror story”
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: N/A
List of relevant research:
Government of the Northwest Territories (2002), “The History of Mining in the Northwest Territories" in Minerals, Oil and Gas, History of Exploration and Development.
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Wade, Frank (2004), Advocate for the North: Judge John Parker - His Life and Times in the Northwest Territories. Victoria: Trafford Publishing.
Review Board Decision: N/A
Training programs: N/A
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 2
CAMLAREN MINE SUMMARY
CAMLAREN Mine
Description of the mine The Camlaren Mine was a small gold and silver mine 83 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, at Gordon Lake on the south-end of a narrow island, unofficially known as Muir Island. It consists of a property totalling about 981 hectares. The two claims that make up the property were staked in 1936 by prospectors Don Cameron and the Mclaren brothers and developed with two shafts during 1937-1938. Conditions attributed to World War II halted development at Camlaren in 1938. The mine did not produce any gold until 1963 when more modernized mining methods were introduced. About 11,000 tons of ore were transported to Discovery Mine for processing, resulting in about 15,000 troy ounces (466.6 kg) of refined gold. Additional mine development was completed in 1974-1975. In 1980, Mining Corporation of Canada Limited erected a milling plant at Camlaren and produced another 20,000 troy ounces (622.1 kg) of gold in the next two years. There are two other potential production sites on the property that have not been developed. During its two operational periods, the mine has produced about 36,661 troy ounces (1,140 kg) of gold from 64,137 tons of ore. Infrastructure was demolished in 1991 and only the old chimney from the 1937 mine manager's house remains. The Camlaren property underwent three phases of environmental assessments as part of the Gordon Lake Project led by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada between 2009 and 2013 and remediation is still ongoing. Triple Dragon Resources acquired the property in 2009. Lakeland Resources now owns the property.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: Gordon Lake, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: surface and underground gold and silver mine Owner(s): Camlaren Mines Limited (subsidiary of Mining Corporation Canada Limited (1937-1939), Consolidated Discovery Gold Mines Limited (1962-1963), Discovery Mines Limited (1974-1975), Mining Corporation of Canada Limited (1979-1981). Time of operation: 1963, 1980-1981
Average number of employees: 70 workers Estimated size of ore body: 0.8 million tonnes Average production value: Grade of 1.14 ounces per tonne gold and 0.32 ounce per tonne silver in 1963, and 0.46 ounces per tonne gold in 1980-1981. Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: Unknown Nearby communities: Discovery, NWT (36 km, 22 miles) Yellowknife, NWT (80 km, 50 miles) Detah, NWT (85 km, 53 miles)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 2
CAMLAREN MINE SUMMARY
Access to mine: by floatplane onto Gordon Lake in summer, by ski-equipped aircraft or truck along winter road in winter.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Developed important infrastructure for Some physical hazards remain at the site, including the area, including three winter roads: old mine structures and unsecured mine openings Discovery-Camlaren-Taurcanis, In 2012, soil in the area of the old site was found to Yellowknife-Gordon Lake, and from contain unacceptably high levels of metals and Ingraham Trail, a radio tower, and a hydrocarbons. power plant. Generated approximately $1.2 million in revenue.
Relevant Links Barrager, W.R.A. and Hornbrook, E.H., (1963). “Mineral Industry of the District of Mackenzie”. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 63-9 & 65-11.
Byrne, N. W., (1958), Report on the Property of Camlaren Mines Limited.
McCormack, J., (1980), “Case Study of the Camlaren Mine Project” Mining Corporation of Canada Ltd.
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Silke, Ryan (2012), “High-Grade Tales: Stories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 2
CANTUNG MINE SUMMARY
CANTUNG Mine
Description of the mine During its operation the Cantung Mine, owned and operated by North American Tungsten Corporation (NATC), was the largest tungsten producer in North America. Cantung and the old townsite of “Tungsten” are located on the NWT-Yukon border in the Mackenzie Mountains. The mine’s open pit and underground operations extract ore from a scheelite-chalcopyrite bearing skarn. The mine can produce ore at a rate of 1,350 dry short tons per day. Although the mine is within the boundary of the NWT, the property is historically tied to the economic and social interests of the Yukon. The mine stopped operations in October 2015, citing the continued low market prices of tungsten, high debt service payments, insufficient capitalization, and recent operational issues. NATC has stated it hopes to resume operations in summer 2016, if economic and market conditions improve significantly. This is the fourth time the mine has temporarily closed due to low tungsten prices, having first operated from 1962 to 1986, again from 2002 to 2003, again from 2005 to 2009, and most recently re-opened in 2010. The site was declared abandoned on November 18, 2015 and became federal jurisdiction after a sale held by NATC failed to elicit satisfactory bids.
Tungsten town site and mine buildings. Picture courtesy of Trevor MacInnis from Wikimedia at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ATungsten%2C_Northwest_Territories.jpg General Information Location: Nahanni area of southwestern NWT, close to the Yukon border.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 5 CANTUNG MINE SUMMARY
Type of mine and ore: Surface and underground operations, tungsten oxide Owner: North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd. Date opened: 1962 Estimated mine life: Until 2017
Average number of employees: 262 (74 full time, 188 hourly employees) (2015) Estimated size of ore body: Indicated resources of 3.8 million tonnes, inferred resources of 1.4 million tonnes (2015). Estimated production value: Final products include a premium gravity concentrate (G1), containing on average 65% WO3, a flotation concentrate containing on average 35% WO3, and a copper concentrate averaging 28% Cu. Local employment figures: Roughly 50% (2002) Percentage of Indigenous employees: 35% (2002)
Mining activities conducted: Seasonally operated open pit, year round operating underground mine.
Nearby communities: Tungsten, NWT (Town site for the mine) Ross River, YK (221 km, 137 miles) Watson Lake, YT (300 km, 186 miles) Access to mine: 306 km all-weather road from Watson Lake, Yukon, and an airstrip.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA) The mining company has not signed a socio-economic monitoring agreement with the NWT government. There is no Impact Benefit Agreement signed with the Dehcho Nation, but one with the Nahanni Butte Dene Band, a member of the Dehcho Nation (84% of the Nahanni Ecosystem falls within Dehcho territory, the upper 16% of the watershed lies inside the Sahtu Region).
Impacts of Cantung mine Positive Negative NATC invested $52 million in infrastructure 80 employees were laid off in July 2015. renewal in 2013, including accommodation At the time of the 2003 closure, 200 workers improvements for staff. Many staff have were laid off. appraised the mine for its “top notch living Consistently struggled to meet critical quarters” and “good work atmosphere” requirements for its water license, especially Significant proportion Aboriginal concerning abandonment and restoration employment (2002). planning. Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Contributions to northern infrastructure, Board refused to renew its license in 2008. including: the development of Tungsten, Environmental concerns have stemmed from the mine’s town site that once housed 500 the proximity of Cantung’s acidic waste rock residents and included two schools, a tailing ponds to the Flat River. This represents
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 5 CANTUNG MINE SUMMARY
recreation centre, condominiums, etc. (the a potential threat to Nahanni’s aquatic town site is no longer operational); the systems. Dust from the mine and mill are also construction of an all-weather road to toxic. Contamination from the mine has been Watson Lake; and an airstrip. found 15 km from the site. When operational was the Western World’s Indigenous groups have repeatedly argued that largest producer of tungsten. NATC does not provide enough jobs to local Tungsten accounted for 3% of over $60 people or support in travelling to and from the billion in wealth generated by the mining mine, and does not include First Nations in industry in NWT since 1932. negotiations. The Government of the NWT found that although the CanTung mine was operating in the Dehcho Region, there was no one from the communities working at the mine. There was direct road access between the mine and Yukon communities, but no direct access between the mine and NWT communities. Some publicity around NATC’s denial of Northern business’ contract bids. NATC owes $75.5 million to over 200 creditors.
Relevant Information Links North American Tungsten Corp. “Cantung Mine Technical Report 2014”, http://www.natungsten.com/i/pdf/Tech-Report-CanTung-Mine-Northwest.pdf Technical Report on the Cantung Mine by the mining company.
CBC News (July, 2015), “Cantung Mine announced temporary layoffs”, http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cantung-mine-announces-temporary-layoffs-1.3097926
Chauvin, Pierrer (Nov., 2015), “Northwest Territories buys Mactung deposit, feds take over Cantung Mine cleanup”, The Whitehorse Star, http://www.whitehorsestar.com/News/northwest-territories- buys-mactung-deposit-feds-take-over-cantung-mine-cleanup
CBC News (Sept., 2015) “Cantung mine to close Oct. 27, says North American Tungsten”, http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cantung-mine-to-close-oct-27-says-north-american-tungsten- 1.3233048
North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd. (2015), “Water License Renewal Application Submission”, http://www.mvlwb.ca/Boards/mv/Registry/2015/MV2015L2-0003/MV2015L 2-0003%20- %20NATCL%20-%20WL%20Renewal%20Application%20Submission%20-%20Apr27-15.pdf, Given to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board on April 21, 2015.
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (2014) “Information Sheet: Cantung Mine”, http://cpawsnwt.org/uploads/Cantung_Info_Sheet_April_22_2014_FINAL.pdf. By the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)
Winter, Jesse (March 8, 2013) “Inside Cantung, the mine that keeps on giving”, Yukon News.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 5 CANTUNG MINE SUMMARY
Neary, Derek, “Benefits for all”, Mackenzie Valley Review Board Website, Opinion piece
Brodie Consulting Ltd. (Nov. 2002) “Cantung Mine Reclamation Cost Estimate”, http://reviewboard.ca/upload/project_document/EA02-003_INAC_CanTung_Reclamatio n_Cost_Estimate.PDF, Discusses the cost of the Cantung ming reclamation. Prepared for Indian Affairs and Northern Development Water Resources Division in November 2002.
Parks Canada (April 12, 2002) “Comments on “Application for Renewal of Water License by North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd”
Cantung Mine Project Description. North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd. Jan. 23, 2013. 17 pages. EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd. (2001) “Cantung Mine Abandonment and Restoration Plan”, November 2001. Submitted to North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd.
North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd. (2003), “Press Release: Environmental Report”, http://reviewboard.ca/upload/project_document/EA02-003_NATC_press_release_re__Environmental_Report.PDF, Environmental Report given to the Review Board on March 13, 2003.
Water licence renewal MV2002L2-0019-2015 Annual Report Submission. Report to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board by North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd. April 25, 2016.
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: (None) EBA Engineering Consultants (2009), Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and Phase II Environmental Site Assessment)
Water licence awaits renewal - NATCL seeks renewed license for abandoned Cantung Mine. Northern News Service. Dec. 3, 2015 http://www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/2015-12/dec3_15mac4.html Firm measures urged to ensure proper mine site abandonment, reclamation. Ecoweek. Aug. 11, 2003. http://www.ecoweek.ca/issues/ISarticle.asp?aid=1000152941 List of relevant research:
Carey, Paul (2008), “Mining and Canada’s National Parks: Policy Options”, Thesis presented to Queen’s University. Abstract: Globally, mining and protected areas are both vital to our way of life. Mining provides the resources on which modern society depends, while protected areas help preserve the planet’s biological diversity by helping to ensure life’s essentials such as clean air and fresh water. The relationship between protected area management and mineral exploration and extraction is an issue of global and national significance. Many of Canada’s 42 national parks occur in close proximity to mining activities (AXYS, 2002) and the challenge becomes balancing development objectives with conservation values. Despite a historic perception that mining operations and protected areas are mutually exclusive, opportunities for partnerships exist and allowing mineral activities to occur within national park boundaries under certain limited circumstances could result in increased collaboration with the mineral industry and ultimately enable Canada to more quickly expand and better protect its national parks. Using the proposed expansion of Nahanni National Park Reserve (NNPR) in the NWT as a case study, this thesis explores the merits of a hypothetical amendment to Canada’s National Parks Act, which would permit metal mining within national park boundaries under certain limited circumstances. Using a case study research strategy and based on available written sources of information, the social, economic and environmental ramifications of allowing metal mining operations to continue within the extended boundaries of NNPR (i.e. policy option #1) were
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 4 of 5 CANTUNG MINE SUMMARY considered. Results were evaluated against the advantages and disadvantageous of expanding NNPR around existing mineral interests (policy option #2), as well as against the alternate option of maintaining Nahanni’s existing boundaries (policy option #3). Results suggest that including existing mineral permit, claim and lease holders within an expanded NNPR is the favored approach of the three policy options in terms of its potential economic and environmental benefits and therefore, policy option #1 could be the preferred approach for most stakeholders. It is recommended that the proposed amendment be presented to concerned parties to determine stakeholder support and, if favored by a majority, the amendment should be tabled to Parliament so that its merits can be debated at the national level.
NATCL-Cantung Mine 2015 Environmental Effects Monitoring. Carson, Richard. RC BioSolutions Ltd. July 24, 2015. The objectives are to evaluate if there are differences in biological parameters among study sites and between years of the Environmental Effects Monitoring study are present and whether any differences are the result of current mining practices, historical mining practices or a combination of the two.
EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd. (2006). “Cantung mine environmental effects monitoring study design”. Unpublished report prepared for North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd. Yellowknife: NWT.
Review Board Decision: The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water board granted NATC an extension to its water license, which it requires in order to continue operations, until the end of 2016. NATC and the federal government are now seeking a 10-year water license renewal.
Training programs: Two programs for Yukon First Nations: Underground mine training program in partnership with the Liard First Nation Development Corporation and Yukon Mine Training Association Yukon Mine Training Program in partnership with Kaska First Nation
Impact Benefit Agreement: Not public.
Other Information with reference to Cantung
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Tania Perzoff, Jessica Banning, Scott Kingston, Rick Hoos (2013) “The challenges of re-opening historical Canadian mine sites with respect to water quality”, in Wolkersdofer, Brown & Figueroa (eds.) Reliable Mine Water Technology.
Gilles Rhéaume and Margaret Caron-Vuotari (2013), “The Future of Mining in Canada’s North”, for The Conference Board of Canada.
Responsible Extraction: An Analysis of the Northwest Territories Mineral Development Strategy Panel Report. Morgan, Shauna, Sarah Dobson and Tee Lim. Aug. 2013. Pembina Institute.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 5 of 5 COLOMAC MINE SUMMARY
COLOMAC Mine
Description of the mine The Colomac Mine was a privately owned and operated gold mine located northwest of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories that produced intermittently during the 1990s. Neptune Resources Limited originally commissioned the mine, but had little success in making a profit. In 1994, the mine was reopened under Royal Oak Mines Inc. Due to low gold prices and high cost of mining, Royal Oak Mines was forced into bankruptcy. The site was reverted to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada in 1999, with Public Works and Government services becoming the site’s contracting authority. An 11-year remediation project ensued to clean up the severely contaminated site. It was completed in 2011. The project now lies within the central portion of Nighthawk Gold Corp.’s Indin Lake Gold Property. Nighthawk purchased the property in 2011 while operating under the name Merc International Minerals Inc., and agreed to post a $5 million letter of credit and acquire the mineral claims and leases of the mine. It commissioned a resource estimate report on the property in 2013.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: 220 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Type of mine: open pit gold mine Owner: Royal Oak Mines Inc, Neptune Resources Time of operation: From 1990-1992, and 1994-1997.
Average number of employees: 250 workers during mine peak Estimated size of ore body: 12.3 million tonnes (11.3 million tonnes milled) Average production value: Grade of 1.66 grams per tonne. Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Wekweti, NWT (48 km, 29 miles) Gameti, NWT (110 km, 68 km) Access to mine: Winter road from Yellowknife or year round by chartered aircraft to a 5,000-foot airstrip
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): No
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
COLOMAC MINE SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Produced 12 million tonnes of ore and At abandonment, the site presented significant 528,000 troy ounces of gold, with an legacy issues including high levels of cyanide and approximated value of $916 million USD. ammonia contamination in tailings water and A 2013 resource report on the site, solids, hydrocarbon impacted soil, bedrock and lake estimated total inferred resources to be sediments, extensive inventories of waste 39 million tonnes with an average grade petroleum, oils lubes and hazardous chemicals, of 1.64 grams of gold per tonne. It is to be abandoned mine infrastructure, open pits, waste revived by Nighthawk Gold Corp. rock dumps, and quarries, and acid rain drainage. Airstrip built during the mine’s production The cost of clean up was $135 million and took 11 is still used. years. Represents the first successful major remediation project in the North. This project helped build relations between Tlicho and federal governments and involved the joint application of traditional knowledge and modern science.
Relevant Links AECOM (2015), “The Remediation and Long Term Monitoring of Colomac Mine, NWT”, Presentation to Real Property of Canada Federal Contaminated Sites Regional Workshop
North of 60 Mining and Exploration Review (2013), “The End of an Era – After 12 years the Colomac Mine Remediation project has concluded”
Nighthawk Gold Corp. (2013) “Colomac Gold Project”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2012), “Colomac Mine Remediation Project - Post- Reclamation Monitoring and Residual Hydrocarbon Remediation Management Plan”
Nighthawk Gold Corp. (2011) “Merc Agrees to Acquire Colomac Gold Mine Consolidating Indin Lake Gold Camp”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2010), “Tlicho Lands: Colomac Mine Remediation”
The Northern Miner (1994), “Royal Oak gives new life to northern Colomac mine”
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
COLOMAC MINE SUMMARY
The Northern Miner (1991), “Colomac mine to close down”
List of relevant research:
Chapman J.T., Coedy, W., Schultz, S. & Rykaart, M. (2007), “Water Treatment and Management during the Closure of the Colomac Mine”, SRK Consulting.
Dance, Anne (2015), “Northern Reclamation in Canada: Contemporary Policy and Practice for New and Legacy Mines”. Yukon College Northern Review, 41: 41-80.
Duhaime, Gérard et. a. (2003) “The Mining Industry and the Social Stakes of Development in the Arctic”, Université de Laval.
Kearney, J. (1990), “Colomac Gold Mine – Opportunity and Risk”. Canadian Mining Journal, 111(8).
MacDonald, Cold (2013), “Strategic Review of the Environmental Programs at the Colomac Mine Site, NT 1999-2012”, Submitted to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada – Contaminants and Remediation Directorate.
Pearse, Tony (2006), “Closure of the Colomac Mine: a First Nations-mine owner collaboration”, University of British Columbia.
Scales, M. & Werniuk, J. (1990), “Colomac gold mine opening up the north. Canadian Mining Journal, 111(8).
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: None
Review Board Decision: None
Training programs: None
Impact Benefit Agreement: None
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
CON MINE SUMMARY
CON Mine
Description of the mine Con Mine was the first gold mine developed in the Northwest Territories. It was staked by Cominco Limited in 1935 in response to the discovery of visible gold nearby. The mine consisted of two primary shafts with a depth of 6,200 feet, along with two internal winzes and vent shafts. Production began in 1938, attracting hundreds of settlers and workers that began establishing themselves in Yellowknife Bay. The mine was therefore an integral part of Yellowknife’s development as a modern city. Approximately 5.2 million troy ounces of gold from 12.2 million tonnes of ore was processed from the mine over its lifespan. The mine closed during the Second World War between 1943 and 1946, and was then the first mine to welcome immigrant workers in 1951. While production slowed in the 1960s due to high costs of production and the static price of gold, an increase in prices in the 1970s led to the site’s expansion with the addition of a new shaft. It underwent further modernization under the ownership of Nerco in the 1980’s, including the installation of an arsenic plant to remove environmentally hazardous arsenic material that had accumulated at the mine. The mine closed in 2003 when economic ore reserves were depleted. It is currently in its final phase of remediation.
Photographs/Videos
Con Mine: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Page last modified on February 2016. The Robertson Shaft headframe at the Con Mine was built in 1977 and measures 76 m (249 ft.) in height. It is the tallest man-made structure in the Northwest Territories. General Information Location: Just south of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: surface and underground gold mine. Owner(s): Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada (Cominco) (1938-1986), Nerco Minerals (1986-1993), Miramar Northern Mining Limited (a subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corporation) (1993-2003). Time of operation: From September 1938 to 2003.
Average number of employees: 190 unionized workers in 1951, 330 in 1997. Estimated size of ore body: 12.2 million tonnes Average production value: Grade of 0.33-1.02 ounces per tonne gold Local employment figures: Approximately 50% of employees were from the region. Percentage of Indigenous employees: 8% (1943)
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Yellowknife (2.5 km, 1.59 miles) Detah (4 km, 2.5 miles) Discovery (88 km, 55 miles) ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
CON MINE SUMMARY
Edzo (91 km, 57 miles) Access to mine: all-season road
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative The Roberston Headframe, an innovative Treatment of contaminated water from the elevator shaft designed for the mine in the site’s surface and underground workings to 1970s, is now a monument is Yellowknife’s remove various metals, including arsenic, mining history and has become a de facto could take anywhere from 50 to 400 years landmark for residents. according to Golder Associates, a consultant A feasibility study of Con mine’s ability to to Newmont Mining Corporation. This has provide geothermal heating in Yellowknife to created concern that the NWT government currently underway. could be left liable for some cost. The mine was an integral part of Yellowknife’s 120 workers were laid off when production development into a modern city. was curtailed in 1997, and another 160 The mine produced over 5 million ounces of layoffs occurred when the mine shut down in gold. 2003. In 1960 the mine owner worked with the federal Some environmentalists argue the company government to promote native employment, is not adequately covering the site’s tailings though there were a lack of willing participants. with rock cover. This marks one of the earlier First Nations’ employment initiatives in Canada’s north.
Relevant Links CBC News (2015) “Cleanup plan for Yellowknife’s Con Mine under scrutiny”
CBC News (2015) “Newmont need more time to remediate Cone Mine site in NWT”CBC
Leonard, Meagn (2015), “Con Mine clean by 2017” Northern News Service.
CBC News (2015) Length of Con Mine water treatment concerns environmentalist
News (2014) “Yellowknife plans to turn Con Mine site into recreation area”
Miramar Northern Mining Limited (2014) “Con Mine Reclamation Status Report” Miramar Mining Corporation Annual Report 2000, 2003
Punter, Cody (2014), “Robertson Headframe ‘re-invented’ Con Mine”
McMillan, Elizabeth (2009) “Burying Con Mine” Northern News Service.
Canadian Mining Journal (2008), “Canadian Mining Perspectives: Con mine to provide geothermal heating in Yellowknife”
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
CON MINE SUMMARY
Miramar Northern Mining Limited (1998) “Strategic Update and Con Mine Production Report”
Fish, R., (1981), “Constant Changes Keeps Con Mine Up-to-Date”, The Canadian Mining Journal
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: None
List of relevant research:
Silke, Ryan (2012), “High-Grade Tales: Stories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Miramar Northern Mining Limited (2015), Con Mine Environmental Effects Monitoring Phase 5 Study Design”, Presented to Environment Canada
Miramar Northern Mining Limited (2005) “Miramar Con Mine Environmental Effects Monirtings Cycle 1: Final Interpretive Report”, Presented to Environment Canada
Review Board Decision: Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board – Approval of Miramar 2014 Updated Closure and Reclamation Plan
Mackenzie Valley Review Board - Reasons for Decision re: the referral of the Miramar Con Mine Abandonment and Restoration Plan for Environmental Assessment by the City of Yellowknife
Judicial Review of the Miramar Con Mine Abandonment and Restoration
Training programs: None Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: http://yukonresearch.yukonc ollege.yk.ca/resda/projects/research-projects/theme-4-sustainable-environments/enviro nmental- legacies-and-remediation/
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
COURAGEOUS LAKE PROJECT SUMMARY
COURAGEOUS LAKE PROJECT Mine
Description of the mine The Courageous Lake project is an advanced gold exploration project located in the North Slave Region of the Northwest Territories. Gold was initially discovered in this region in the early 1940s. In 1980, Noranda Exploration began a surface diamond drilling program that resulted in the discovery of the Courageous Lake deposit. In 1988, Noranda carried out underground diamond drilling programs to assess the viability of high-grade mineralization that could be exploited by underground mining methods. The results did not meet Noranda's criteria. In 1992, Noranda consolidated its Hemlo Gold unit with Battle Mountain Gold and operated the Tundra Joint Venture as Battle Mountain Gold. In 1997, Placer Dome Exploration optioned the property and carried out a surface diamond drilling campaign with the concept of developing an open pit deposit. In 2002, Seabridge Gold Inc. purchased the property, and has carried out a number of drilling campaigns and metallurgical and mining studies. The property is a collection of mineral leases and mining claims along the approximately 54 kilometer length of the Courageous Lake Greenstone Belt. Approximately 612 holes have been drilled from the surface and underground, mostly directed at testing two primary target zones, the Tundra Main and Carbonate Zones. A $16 million exploration, engineering and environmental program was successfully completed in 2011 to raise the mine’s Preliminary Economic Assessment to a Preliminary Feasibility Study, which predicts an annual production of 385,000 ounces of gold for 15 years at US$780 per ounce. Exploration in 2012 led to the discovery at the Walsh Lake zone on the property, which added almost a half million ounces of inferred gold to the project. However, minimal activity is planned for Courageous Lake in 2015, as the Company focuses on its $5 billion KSM gold and copper project in northwestern B.C.
Photographs/Videos The exploration camp at Seabridge Gold's Courageous Lake gold project in the Northwest Territories, 240 km northeast of Yellowknife. Photo by Seabridge Gold. (Image) August 6, 2012: http://www.northernminer.com/news/seabridge-stays-hopeful-at-courageous-lake/1001595641/ General Information Location: Courageous Lake, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: underground and surface gold mine Owner: Seabridge Gold Inc. Date opened: Tentatively 2021 Estimated mine life: 16 years from its opening date.
Average number of employees: Unknown Estimated size of ore body: 91 million tonnes Estimated production value: 1.09 ounces / 2.2 grams per tonne gold Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown (18 local Aboriginal people held employment during exploration in 2013)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
COURAGEOUS LAKE PROJECT SUMMARY
Mining activities conducted: Will be year-round Nearby communities: Wekweti, NWT (145 km, 90.5 miles) Lupin, NU (177 km 110 miles) Lutselk’e, NWT (193 km, 120 miles) Access to mine: Fixed wing aircraft to the airstrip at the former Salmita mine or via float-equipped aircraft to several adjacent lakes. During mid-winter, access is available via a winter road, which branches from the main winter road to the Lupin mine (NU).
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None yet Impacts of Mine Positive Negative The Courageous Lake deposit of Canada’s Potential impact on wildlife: the property is used largest undeveloped gold deposits – 6.5 by barren ground caribou during migration, as million ounces in measured and indicated well as wolves, grizzly bears, fox, wolverines, etc. categories plus 3.4 million ounces in the Potential impact on water quality and fish inferred category. Thus potential to bring habitat in adjacent lakes – namely Courageous strong economic benefits to the area. and Matthew Lakes. Community engagement with six First Potential impact on traditional culture and land Nations stakeholder groups began in 2003. use: site is on the traditional grounds of the Activities have included consultation Treaty 8 First Nations, Tlic Cho Nation, and meetings, review of research licenses, site various Métis groups, and 14 archaeological sites tours, and environmental programs. One have been recorded on the property. such environmental program was placing 60 cameras in locations around the site that Aboriginal communities have flagged are likely used by wildlife. Seabridge Gold Inc. has provided numerous donations to educational and trades training initiatives in the Northwest Territories.
Relevant Links
Seabridge Gold Inc. (2014), “Courageous Lake: Summary”
Seabridge Gold Inc. (2014), “Courageous Lake: Environmental / Regulatory”
Seabridge Gold Inc. (2014), “Seabridge Gold Annual Report 2014”
Strong, Walter (2014), “Courageous Pauses”, Northern News Services.
Quenneville, Guy and Herb Mathisen (2014), “Mineral Pursuit: Northwest Territories”
Seabridge Gold Inc. (2013), “Courageous Lake Project Engagement Plan”, presented to Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
COURAGEOUS LAKE PROJECT SUMMARY
Seabridge Gold Inc. (2013), “Restoration Efforts – Mineral Exploration of Courageous Lake, NT”, submitted to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines (2013), “Northern Mining News”, 6(7).
Seabridge Gold Inc. (2012), “Preliminary Feasibility Study: Courageous Lake Project”, prepared by Tetra Tech Wardrop.
Seabridge Gold Inc. (2012), “News Release: Seabridge Confirms Continuity of High-Grade Walsh Lake Gold Discovery”
Rescan (2012) “Courageous Lake Project: Vegetation Baseline Report”, Prepared for Seabridge Gold Inc. by Rescan Environmental Services Ltd.
Rescan (2012), “Courageous Lake Project: Visual Quality Baseline Report”, Prepared for Seabridge Gold Inc. by Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. Submitted to Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.
Seabridge Gold Inc. (2010), "Courageous Lake: Project Description in Support of a Class "A" Land Use Permit", submitted to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
DIAVIK MINE SUMMARY
DIAVIK Mine
Description of the mine The Diavik Diamond Mine is Canada’s largest diamond mine in terms of carat production that was established following the discovery of four diamond-bearing deposits, called kimberlite pipes, in 1994 and 1995. The mine site is located on a 20 square kilometer island on Lac de Gras, approximately 300 kilometers north of Yellowknife and 220 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. It is an unincorporated joint between Diavik Diamond Mines (a Rio Tinto company) and Dominion Diamond Diavik Limited (a Dominion Diamond Corp. company). The mine plan is built on four diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes. Open pit mining of the A154 South, A154 North, and A418 has concluded. These three ore bodies are currently being mined underground. Today, the fourth pipe: A21 is in development with production anticipated by the end of 2018. As of December 31, 2014, the Diavik Mine had 39.6 million carats of proven reserves and 13.7 million carats of probable reserves.
Photographs/Videos
Diavik Diamond Mine Wikipedia page: Diavik mine in 2006. This page was last modified on 12 June 2016.
Rio Tinto: The Diavik mine (YouTube). Diamonds with a Story; Published on July 6, 2015. 2 min 36 seconds.
The Diavik Diamond Mine is located in Canada’s Northwest Territories, one of the most remote places in the world, 220 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle and on the bed of a vast northern lake, Lac de Gras.
General Information Location: Lac de Gras region, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: open pit and underground diamond mine Owner: Rio Tinto (60%) and Dominion Diamond Corporation (40%) Date opened: January 2003 Estimated mine life: Until 2023.
Average number of employees: 948 workers (2014) Estimated size of ore body: 53.3 million tonnes (2014) ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 4
DIAVIK MINE SUMMARY
Estimated production value: 91.1 million carats (2014) Local employment figures: 47% of employees are from the region Percentage of Indigenous employees: 29% (229), 18% Northern Aboriginal (171)
Mining activities conducted: Year-round Nearby communities: Lupin, NU (191 km, 119 miles from site) Discovery, NWT (194 km, 120 miles from site) Wekweti, NWT (198 km, 123 miles from site) Access to mine: Temporary winter ice road open from February to the beginning of April, an all-season runway and airport facilities.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): Yes. Socio-economic Monitoring agreement with Government of NWT and Aboriginal Signatories (1999) Participation Agreements with: Tlicho Government (formerly Dogrib Treaty 11 Council) (2000); Yellowknives Dene First Nation (2000); Kitikmeot Inuit Association (2001); and Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation (2001).
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Adopted an Aboriginal Employment strategy in Adverse impacts on caribou behavior and 2004 that focuses on pre-employment migration patterns. initiatives, recruiting, employee retention, and Family fragmentation and erosion of employee development initiatives traditional culture due to remote location of Founding member of the NWT’s Mine Training the site. Society (MTS) – as of 2014 1,000 northerners Potential impacts on Coppermine river have been employed under MTS training-to- system surface water quality. employment projects. Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. predicts that 2014 northern spend: $251 million (76% of total sulfide oxidation in waste rock piles could last operations spending), $110 million with two centuries or more. It also predicts that Aboriginal businesses. heavy metal releases during dyke Implemented first industrial safety training construction will exceed thresholds for the program (approx. 1,000 northerners have protection of aquatic life, and that higher completed) nutrient mine water discharge will change 20 34 apprentices in 2014, 29 northern, 45 in total percent of surface waters of Lac de Gras to a have completed eutrophic system. 8 new underground miner trainees in 2014, all Tlicho Government, North Slave Metis northern Aboriginal Alliance, and Kitikmeot Inuit Association 76 Aboriginal people have completed Diavik’s representatives have all expressed that Diavik Northern Leadership Development Program Diamond Mines Inc. did not engage with since 2006. them in a meaningful way during the Community contribution program project’s review phase. Diavik negotiated $5 million invested annual in local communities private IBA-type agreements with these through sponsorships, scholarships and other groups, negotiated outside the community initiatives. environmental assessment and lands claims Energy management initiatives helped reduce processes. These “participation” agreements GHG emissions by 5% between 2013 and 2014. were not made public. ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 4
DIAVIK MINE SUMMARY
Constructed world’s largest wind-diesel hybrid Fisheries and Oceans Canada granted Rio power facility - leader in cold climate renewable Tinto a “special authorization” to alter and energy. destroy fish habitats upon the understanding Four-time Canada’s Top Employer that the company will have compensated for Gold level of achievement under the Canadian the loss by the time the mine is closed and Council for Aboriginal Business’ Progressive the dykes removed, thus assuring no net loss Aboriginal Relations Program. to fish habitat. 2005 award from Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada in recognition of its efforts to protect its natural surroundings. Water, Wildlife, and Caribou monitoring programs/ Generates approximately $7 million per year in tax revenues to NWT.
Relevant Links Environmental Monitoring Advisory Board for the Diavik Project
2015 Diavik Diamond Mine Technical Report
Natural Resources Canada: “Partnership Agreements - Diavik Diamond Mine"
GNWT 2014 Diavik Socio-Economic Monitoring Agreement
Hefferman, Virginia (2000), “Diavik assessment marred by conflict”, The Northern Miner
Rio Tinto 2014 Diavik Diamond Mine Sustainable Development Report
Environmental Agreement (2000) between Government of Canada, Government of NWT, Diavik Diamond Mines Inc, Tlicho Governmnet, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Lutselk’e Dene Band, Kitikmeot Inuit Association, North Slave Metis Alliance.
Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. (2015) Closing Arguments - Jay Project Environmental Assessment
CBC New (2013) “Diavik wind power making diamonds greener”
North Slave Metis Alliance (1999), “Can’t Live Without Work: North Slave Metis Alliance Environmental, Social, Economic and Cultural Concerns - A Companion to the Comprehensive Study Report on the Diavik Diamonds Project”
Diavik Diamond Mine Aquatic Effects Monitoring Program 2012 Annual Report
Diavik Diamonds Project Comprehensive Study Report – Comments from MiningWatch Canada (1999)
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: Canadian Environmental Assment Agency (1999), “The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Comprehensive Study Report: Diavik Diamonds Project”. ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 4
DIAVIK MINE SUMMARY
List of relevant research:
Adamczewski, Jan et. al. (2008) “Modeling Cumulative Effects in Barren-ground Caribou Range: Proceedings of a Workshop in Yellowknife, February 2008.”
Coumans, Catherine (2002), “Mining, water, survival and the Diavik diamond mine” in Geoff Evans, James Goodman and Nina Lansbury (eds.) Moving Mountains: Communities Confront Mining and Globalization, London: Zed Books.
Prno, Jason (2007), “Assessing The Effectiveness of Impact and Benefit Agreements from the Perspective of their Aboriginal Signatories”, Masters Thesis presented to The University of Guelph.
Richard Missens, Leo Dana, Robert Anderson (2007), "Aboriginal partnerships in Canada: focus on the Diavik Diamond Mine", Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy 1(1): 54-76.
Stiff, Kaarina (2001), “Cumulative Effects Assessment and Sustainability: Diamond Mining in the Slave Geological Province” Masters Thesis presented to the University of Waterloo. Review Board Decision:
Training programs: Underground miner training program (8 new in 2014, all northern Aboriginal) Apprenticeship program Workplace learning Centre Site-based health and safety training Northern Leadership Development Program (partnership with SAIT Polytechnic and Aurora College)
Impact Benefit Agreement: Socio-economic Monitoring agreement with Government of NWT and Aboriginal Signatories (1999) Participation Agreement with Tlicho Government (formerly Dogrib Treaty 11 Council) (Others not public)
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Traditional Knowledge on the Impacts of Diamond Mining on Caribou and Communities in the Western Arctic Project Leader: Kelsey Jansen, Master’s Candidate in Community Risk and Resilience at the University of Alberta
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 4 of 4
DISCOVERY MINE SUMMARY
DISCOVERY Mine
Description of the mine The Discovery Mine and townsite is a substantial abandoned property located 84 kilometers north of Yellowknife, NWT. The site is within the traditional territory of the Akaitcho First Nations, and also falls inside the Môwhì Gogha De Nîîtlèè boundary, within the Wek'èezhìi management area of the Tlicho settlement area. The mine was discovered by Alfred Giauque in 1944 and acquired by Discovery Yellowknife Mines Limited in 1945. Gold production began in 1950 and a large community was established at the site in the 1950s and ’60s. The mine reached a depth of 4,000 feet and produced at a rate of 250 tons per day. It produced one million ounces of gold from one million tons of ore between 1950 and 1969, at which time economic ore reserves were depleted and the mine and village closed. The old townsite and mine buildings were demolished in the summer of 2005 during a clean-up project managed by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, which concluded no detectable contamination in the waters. Additional mineralization was discovered in 1994, leading to renewed development of the site. Tyhee Development Corp. acquired the property in 2003, and advanced their permitting of a new mine to the Developers Assessment Report stage of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review process in 2011.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: Giauque Lake, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: underground gold mine Owner: Discovery Yellowknife Mines Limited Time of operation: February 1950 to March 1969
Average number of employees: 150-250 workers Estimated size of ore body: Approximately 1 million tonnes Average production value: Grade of 0.86 ounce per tonne gold Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Discovery, NWT (townsite) Yellowknife, NWT (84 km, 52 miles) Detah, NWT (88 km, 55 miles) Access to mine: by air, unpaved airstrip.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): No
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
DISCOVERY MINE SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative The mine’s airstrip was often used by A tailings spill in the early 1960s deposited flying instructors to teach students contaminated waste into Giauque Lake. The short- emergency landing procedures until the life cyanide was undetectable within a few years, 1980’s but the residual mercury remained in the sediment Established a large community and and entered the food chain. Concentrations of developed significant social infrastructure mercury in fish have been declining since 1975. for its residents - wide variety of services, At time of abandonment, approximately 1.1 million facilities, activities and organizations. tonnes of acid-generating tailings containing It was the most profitable gold mine in mercury were spread over 32 hectares of land and the Northwest Territories during its time. 3.7 hectares of lake sediment. There was also It generated $240 million in revenues and asbestos, lead-based paint, old buildings, mine at least $182 million to the Northwest structures, unsealed mine openings and soil Territories’ GDP. containing spilled fuel, oil and gas on site that Played a major role in Yellowknife’s posed health and/or safety risks (The site is now development as a modern city and in the fully remediated). development of Northern Canada’s Aboriginal participation in the labour force was mining industry. never significant.
Relevant Links Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2010), “Annual Remediation Performance Report: Discovery Mine”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2009), What’s happening in areas with Ongoing Land and Resource Negotiations in the NWT?
MWT Mining Heritage Society (2008) “Discovering Discovery – Golden Ghost Town of Canada’s North”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2007) Discovery Mine, NWT: 2007 Environmental Monitoring Program
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2004), “Discovery Mine Remediation Project"
List of relevant research: Bullen, Warwick and Malcolm Robb (2002), “Socio-economic Impacts of Gold Mining in the Yellowknife Mining District” Paci, Chris and Noeline Villebrun (2005), “Mining Denendeh: A Dene Nation Perspective on Community Health Impacts of Mining”, Pimatisiwin: A Journal of Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Health, 3(1): 71-85.
Silke, Ryan (2012), “High-Grade Tales: Stories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
DISCOVERY MINE SUMMARY
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
ECHO BAY MINE SUMMARY
ECHO BAY Mine
Description of the mine The Echo Bay Mine, located on Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories, near Labine Point (Port Radium), was a silver and copper mine developed in response to the discovery of a series of silver veins adjacent to the Eldorado Mine in 1930 by prospectors with Cominco Limited. Underground development began in 1933 with the drilling of two adits, but ceased when the price of silver collapsed. The site remained closed until 1964 when the Northwest Explorers Group reopened the mine workings, leasing the facilities of the adjacent Eldorado mine that had recently closed. The Echo Bay mine was fully operative by 1964, milling 80 tonnes of silver ore per day, and by 1965 the mine averaged 52.6 ounces of silver per tonne of ore, making it the richest silver mine in Canada. Silver and copper were produced until 1976 when the ore body was depleted. Over its lifespan, the mine produced 23.5 million ounces of silver and 4,505 tonnes of Copper from 363,140 tonnes of ore. The mine also utilized Eldorado Mine’s town site, Port Radium, which was located a kilometre northeast of Echo Bay’s site. Following the closure of the Port Radium mine operations in 1982, the Echo Bay Mine was cleaned up. As of 2005 nothing is left of the site save some debris, ruins and open stopes. Remediation of the site to make it safer for people, animals and the environment began in 2005, and was completed in 2007/2008.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: On Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories. Type of mine and ore: surface and underground silver and copper mine. Owner(s): Echo Bay Mines Limited (subsidiary of International Utilities Corporation) (1967-1976), Echo Bay Mines Limited (subsidiary of Northern Explorers Group) (1964-1967), Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company (Cominco) Limited (1933-1936) Time of operation: October 1964 to November 1976.
Average number of employees: 103 (10-20 during development phase in 1930s) Estimated size of ore body: Unknown (363,140 tonnes of ore was milled) Average production value: 35 ounces per tonne silver, 18% Copper. Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Port Radium, NWT (townsite, now closed) Gameti, NWT (211 km, 131 miles) Access to mine: year-round wheeled-plane access by an airstrip constructed in 1971, winter road, or by barge on Hay River.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
ECHO BAY MINE SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Was the richest silver mine in Canada at Aboriginal participation in the labour force was one time, and experienced high never significant. profitability in the 1960s due to short While detailed statistics are not available, it is supplies. estimated that a total of 800,000 tons of tailings Assisted in the development significant were generated from Eldorado and Echo Bay silver social infrastructure in the townsite of mining operations, most of which were discharged Port Radium - wide variety of services, to the McDonough (Garbage Lake), now referred to facilities, activities and organizations. as the McDonough Tailings Containment Area. Played a major role in the development of Even following the 1982 cleanup, silver and copper Northern Canada’s mining industry, remained present in soils and surface water at the brought jobs and economic benefits to Echo Bay/Port Radium site, as well as waste rock, the region. hydrocarbon and asbestos residue, and physical Represents the beginning of the Echo Bay hazards that represented a safety issue. Most Mines Ltd., which has been a major player significantly, a large adit and open stopes at the in the northern mining industry in Echo Bay site left large horizontal openings that Canada. The subsidiary of Northern could have been dangerous for people and wildlife. Explorers group contracted the construction of the Tibbit to Contwoyto winter road, which has supported mining exploration in NWT and Nunavut.
Relevant Links Funding Universe, Echo Bay Mines Limited History
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2005), “Port Radium Mine Remediation Plan”
Martin, Neil A. (1972) 'Quest for Silver', Barron's.
Northern Miner (1966) 'Daring Pays Off for Company: Great Bear Lake Prospect Achieves'
List of relevant research:
Moore, James and David Sutherland (1981), “Distribution of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides in Sediments, Water and Fish in an Area of Great Bear Lake Contaminated with Mine Wastes”, Archives of Environment Contamination and Toxicology, 10: 329-338.
Schiller, E. (1964), “Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 65-11”, Natural Resources Canada.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
ECHO BAY MINE SUMMARY
Silke, Ryan (2012), “High-Grade Tales: Stories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work:
Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
EKATI DIAMOND MINE SUMMARY
Ekati Diamond Mine
Description of the mine First discovered in 1991, the Ekati Diamond Mine is Canada’s first surface and underground diamond mine located 310 km northeast of Yellowknife and about 200 km south of the Arctic Circle. It is jointly owned by Dominion Diamond Corporation (DDC) and Archon Minerals. DDC acquired the mine from BHP Billiton in 2013 and currently holds 88.89% interest in the Core Zone and 65.3% in the Buffer Zone. The mine produces gem quality diamonds. The current Reserves Base Case Mine Plan is based on production from five kimberlite pipes that are mostly overlain by small lakes: Misery, Pigeon, Lynx and Jay open pits, and Koala underground operations. The kimberlite include both granitoids and metasediments and are mostly associated with dykes and lineaments. The kimberlite is extracted through dewatering lakes. Explosives are used to blast surrounding rock, which is sent to waste rock piles, while kimberlite is sent to the processing plant. The plant has the capacity to process 4.3 million tonnes per year. Diamonds extracted and tailings are disposed of into the Long Lake tailings pond. Currently, Koala is being mined, the Misery open pit is undergoing an expansion, and pre-stripping started at the Pigeon open pit in 2014. Mining has not yet commenced at the Jay and Lynx pipes. In addition, the Misery South and Southwest satellite material is being excavated as part of the Misery pre-stripping operations. There is an on-site work camp.
Photo of Ekati Mine, Jason Pineau, Photographer from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekati_Diamond_Mine#/media/File:Ekati_mine_640px.jpg
General Information Location: Lac de Gras region, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: Surface and underground diamond mine, more specifically, kimberlite (magmatic kimberlite, tuffisitic kimberlite, primary volcaniclastic kimberlite, olivine-rich
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 5 EKATI DIAMOND MINE SUMMARY volcaniclastic kimberlite, mud-rich, resedimented volcaniclastic kimberlite (RVK), and kimberlitic sediments) Owner: Dominion Diamond Corporation and Archon Minerals Date opened: October, 1998 Estimated mine life: 2019-2023
Average number of employees: 800 full time, 700 contractors Estimated size of ore body: 61.2 million tonnes Estimated production value: $399.6 million USD for the year ended 31 January 2014 Local employment figures: 58% (2012 figure) Percentage of Indigenous employees: 33% as of 2013
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Wekwèti (180 km, 112 miles) Lutselk’e (242 km, 150 miles) Yellowknife (310 km, 192 miles) Access to mine: The mine is primarily a fly-in, fly-out operation with all-season runway and airport facilities (passengers are transported by charter flights), but can be reached by a 475-km ice road for up to three months each winter.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): 4 IBAs signed between 1996 and 1998: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/mining-materials/aboriginal/14694 Socio-Economic Agreement BHP Diamonds Project. Oct 22, 1996. GNWT and BHP Diamonds Inc. 22 pages. Tabled in the 4th session of the 13th Assembly http://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/sites/www.iti.gov.nt.ca/files/bhp_sea_0.pdf
Impacts of Ekati Diamond Mine Positive Negative Significant northern and Aboriginal Explosives used (introduces nitrogen, employment ammonia and nitrates into waste rock and Approximately $4 billion in expenditure on air) Aboriginal and northern business between Elimination of lakes 1996-2011 (approx. 80% of total expenditure) Possible toxicity of the kimberlite tailings, Attempts to tender IBA suppliers first down steam impact on water quality and fish Recycles 54,000 lbs annually in Lac de Gras. Invested over $3.4 million in northern Cumulative effects of mining and other community and social services in 2012 human activity on local wolverine, fox, Operates Air Quality, Wildlife Effects, and caribou population Aquatic Effects Monitoring Programs, all Family fragmentation/disruption – 2000 NWT designed with assistance of Elders and youth Government survey on EKATI reported a from IBA communities. negative impact on children for 50% of mine Has funded studies aimed at integrating workers with children traditional knowledge of the region with Impact on traditional practices (hunting)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 5 EKATI DIAMOND MINE SUMMARY
mine’s environmental management Millions in taxes and royalties leaving NWT practices, eg. Ekati Caribou and Roads and paid out by Dominion Corp. to Ottawa Traditional Knowledge Project. since the mine is on federal crown land. 74 northern and Aboriginal apprentices Increased GHG emissions employed between 1998-2012, with 15 northern apprentices/trades graduates currently working at the mine. Ekati Plus Community Development program provides funding to support northern community initiatives. Includes a scholarship program. Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 7 consecutive years $107 million in property and fuel taxes to GNWT paid through 2011
Relevant Information Links CBC News. (Feb 2016) “Ekati diamond mine expansion OK’d by environmental Review Board” Mining Technology (2015) EKATI Mine Report CBC News (Sept 2014) “Dominion Diamond to stop flying workers from Edmonton” The Globe and Mail. Roy MacGregor (July 4, 2006) “Diamond mining cuts deep into native traditions” Measuring Success: The Positive Impact of Diamond Mining in the Northwest Territories |1998-2012 (BHP Biliton, De Beers, Diavik Diamond Mines joint briefing paper) Natural Resources Canada (2013) “ARCHIVED – Ekati Diamond Mine – Northwest Territories” Archived information – NRCan webpage. Partnership Agreements. Aboriginal Participation in Mining Information Bulletin: Ekati Diamond Mine- Northwest Territories. 2008. 2 pages. Summarizes the project, employment and training, signed agreements, economic/business development, social, cultural and community support and environmental protection. Dominion Diamond Corp (2012) “EKATI Diamond Mine 2012 Year in Review” report is 56 pages Independent Environmental Monitoring Agency – a “public watchdog for the environmental management of the Ekati Mine”. The Agency was established in 1997 by the company and Aboriginal, federal and territorial governments. The Environmental Agreement is a legal instrument to ensure BHP Billiton, Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories respect and protect the land, water, wildlife and the land-based way of life essential to the well-being of Aboriginal Peoples. Webpage. Dominion Diamond Mine Corporation page on EKATI Corporate Webpage
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 5 EKATI DIAMOND MINE SUMMARY
Canada’s Ekati and Diavik Diamond Mines. You Tube Video. Dominion Diamond Corporation. July 19, 2015. Canadamark. In the sub-arctic tundra, one of the most remote places on earth. From deep beneath Canada's Northwest Territories. On the shores of Lac de Gras. The Ekati and Diavik mines provide the world with CanadaMark diamonds. Responsibly mined without compromising long-term environmental integrity. Innovative mining technologies and extraordinary machines meet sustainable mining processes. 100% natural and untreated diamonds. 2:51 mins Ekati Life 2013. You Tube Video. September 25, 2013. Kate Little. A little glimpse into life at a Diamond Mine (in Northern Canada) through the eyes of the Health and Wellness Coordinators on site. 8:29 min.
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: http://www.monitoringagency.net/ResourceCentre/EnvironmentalImpactStatement/tabid/111 /Default.aspx
List of relevant research:
Boulanger, John, Kim G. Poole, Ann Gunn & Jack Wierzchowski (2012), “Estimating the zone of influence of industrial developments on wildlife: a migratory caribou and diamond mine case study”, Wildlife Biology, 18(2), 164-179.
Cleghorn, Christine (1999), “Aboriginal Peoples and Mining in Canada: Six Case Studies”. Mining Watch Canada.
Couch, William J. (2002), “Strategic resolution of policy, environmental and socio-economic impacts in Canadian Arctic diamond mining: BHP’s NWT diamond project.” Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 20(4), 265-278.
Falck, H. & K. Gochnauer (March 2015) “2014 Northwest Territories Mineral Exploration Overview”, Northwest Territories Geoscience Office.
Fitzpatrick, Patricia (2007), “A New Staples Industry? Complexity, Governance and Canada's Diamond Mines”, Policy and Society 26(1): 93-112.
Gibson, Ginger and Jason Klinck (2004). “Canada’s Resilient North; The Impact of Mining on Aboriginal Communities”. Pimatisiwin: A Journal of Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Health, 3(1), 115-139.
Parlee, Brenda, Manseau Micheline, and Lutsel Ke Dene First Nation. March 2005. “Using Traditional Knowledge to Adapt to Ecological Knowledge Change: Denesoline Monitoring of Caribou Movements.” Arctic Institute of North America. Arctic 58.1 (2005): 26-37. Print. http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/arctic58-1-26.pdf
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 4 of 5 EKATI DIAMOND MINE SUMMARY
Ross, William A. (2004). “The Independent Environmental Watchdog: A Canadian Experiment in EIA Follow-up” in Morrison-Saunders, Angus, & Arts, Jos (eds.) Assessing Impact: Handbook of EIA and SEA Follow-up, London: EarthScan, Chapter 8, pages 178-192 (15 pages). Chapter in Book.
Sosa, Irene and Karyn Keenan (Oct. 2001). “Impact Benefit Agreements Between Aboriginal Communities and Mining Companies: Their Use in Canada”. Canadian Environmental Law Association. 29 pages.
Weitzner, Viviane (2006), “Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation’s Experience Negotiating with Mining Companies”, The North South Institute. .
Review Board Decision: Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board approved the Jay Project, an expansion of the Ekati mine, on February 1, 2016. http://www.reviewboard.ca/registry/project.php?project_id=674
Training programs: Apprenticeship Program and Trades Training Program Workplace Learning Program to build essential skills in workforce (reading, writing, math, oral communication) – voluntary and confidential participation Aboriginal Underground Miners Training Program 5-year partnership with Skills Canada NWT to implement trade skills programming and competitions Supervisory Development Program
Impact Benefit Agreement: http://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/sites/default/files/bhp_sea.pdf http://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/sites/www.iti.gov.nt.ca/files/bhp_sea.pdf
Dominion Diamond Socio Economic Agreement Report. 2014. Dominion Diamond. 48 pages Dominion Diamond Corporation (“Dominion Diamond”) is a Canadian diamond mining company with ownership interests in two key mines in the Northwest Territories: the Ekati Diamond Mine (“Ekati Mine”) and Diavik Diamond Mine (“Diavik”). The purpose of this report is to demonstrate our accomplishments in meeting the objectives set out in the Socio-Economic Agreement (“SEA”) between Dominion Diamond and the Government of the Northwest Territories related to the Ekati Mine. This also shares their commitment to making a positive difference in the communities through employment, community development, and business opportunities.
Benefit Agreements in Canada’s North. Priority project on sustainable resource development. August 2013. A report prepared for the Northern Development Ministers Forum, highlighting Benefit Agreements in Canada’s North. Related Reports from ReSDA Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Traditional Knowledge on the Impacts of Diamond Mining on Caribou and Communities in the Western Arctic Project Leader: Kelsey Jansen, Master’s Candidate in Community Risk and Resilience at the University of Alberta
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 5 of 5 ELDORADO MINE SUMMARY
ELDORADO Mine
Description of the mine The Eldorado Mine, also referred to as Port Radium Mine, is located in the Echo Bay area of Great Bear Lake, on LaBine Point. Eldorado was the first mine developed in the Northwest Territories, following prospector Gilbert Labine’s discovery of high-grade pitchblende and silver at the site. His company was then known as Eldorado Gold Mines Limited. Radium and silver were the original metals of interest, and production began in 1933. Port Radium was the name of the settlement established at the mine site. The mine closed in 1940 due to the expansion of the European markets for radium. It re-opened in 1942 with a new focus on mining uranium from the ore, which was used in the atomic bomb developments of 1945. Wartime efforts had transformed Eldorado from a private company to a public affair, and the mine was secretly expropriated and transferred to the federal government in 1944 and renamed Eldorado Mine and Refining Limited. Due to high operational expenses, the mine was closed in 1960. In 1975, Echo Bay Mines Limited dewatered the old mine to recover old silver and copper materials. Over the mine’s lifespan, 37 million ounces of silver, 10.5 million pounds of copper, 13.7 million pounds of uranium oxide, and 450 grams of radium was produced from 2 million tonnes of ore. Tailings produced from uranium and silver operations have been estimated in the order of 900,000 and 800,000 tonnes respectively. Most of the uranium tailings were deposited in Great Bear Lake, and most of the silver tailings were discharged to McDonough (Garbage) Lake. All activity ceased in 1982 and the Eldorado Mine and Port Radium settlement was demolished. In 1999 the Canadian Government signed a commitment with the Deline Dene Band of Sahtu people to have the estimated 1.7 million tonnes of radioactive mine tailings at Port Radium cleaned up. Remediation work began in 2005 and was completed in 2007. Monitoring of the site is ongoing.
Photographs/Videos
Eldorado Mine (Northwest Territories) Wikipedia page. Page last modified on June 4 2016.
A miner hauling silver and radium ore from the Eldorado, c. 1930
General Information Location: Labine Point, on western shore of Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: underground radium, uranium, silver, and copper mine. Owner(s): Echo Bay Mines Ltd, Eldorado Mine and Refining Limited, Eldorado Gold Mines Limited. Time of operation: From 1933-1940, 1942-60, 1975-1982
Average number of employees: 240 employees Estimated size of ore body: 2 million tonnes milled ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 4
ELDORADO MINE SUMMARY
Average production value: Uranium – 1% U3O8, Silver – 50 ounces per tonne, Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: 2% (1980)
Mining activities conducted: year-round
Nearby communities: Sawmill Bay, NWT (58 km, 39 miles) Gameti, NWT (220 km, 136 miles) Kugluktuk, NU (230 km, 143 miles) Access to mine: All-weather airstrip at Sawmill Bay. In summer barge travels from Bay to mine site, in winter airstrips were cleared on the ice in front of the mine site itself. A winter road was developed under the tenure of Echo Bay Mines Ltd. in 1963.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Assisted in the development significant The mine displaced traditional land use in the social infrastructure in the townsite of Port area. Radium - wide variety of services, facilities, Even following the 1982 cleanup, silver and activities and organizations for its copper remained present in soils and surface residents. water at the Port Radium site. Radiological Played a major role in the development of surveys conducted between 2004 and 2006 Northern Canada’s mining industry, determined that the volume of leftover uranium brought economic benefits to the region. ore waste was approximately 10,000 cubic Financed a fleet of tugs and barges into metres. This is in addition to leftover waste rock, service on NWT rivers, which improved hydrocarbon and asbestos residue, and physical transportation for the area. hazards. Marked the beginning of the uranium Dene workers worked as coolies during the mine’s industry in Canada, which has yielded $330 operation, transporting gunnysacks full of ore million in export revenue in 1959, more from the mine and often coming in direct contact than any other mineral export that year. with the ore in the process. Tailings from the Employed a significant amount of mine regularly streamed into Great Bear Lake, indigenous workers from the area during resulting in contaminated water and wildlife, and the mine’s construction and operation. uranium entering the food chain. The mine is thus The remedial action plan for the site was an associated with serious environmental, health and outcome of a unique, wide-ranging, and safety concerns. intensively cooperative effort between High levels of cancer were reported in Dene Canada and the Déline community. workers sent to clean up the site in 1990’s. No The contract to remediate the mine was effort was made to protect them from toxic granted to the Yellowknife-based effects. Déline has come to be called the “Village Aboriginal Engineering Limited. Most of of Widows”
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 4
ELDORADO MINE SUMMARY
the workers were hired and trained from These factors have brought ongoing concerns, Déline. particularly in the community of Deline, with respect to existing contamination of their environment potential future exposure to radiation through their traditional use of land. Provided much of the uranium used during the Manhattan Project.
Relevant Links Deborah Simmons “Sahtu and the Atomic Bomb”, Town of Déline website
Abandoned Mines in Northern Canada Project, “Port Radium”
The Forbidden Rock Prophecy, “Toxic Consequences: The Physical and Environmental Effects of Uranium Mining”
World Nuclear Association, “Brief History of Uranium Mining in Canada”
Salverson, Julie (2011), “The Never Told Us These Things”, Maisonneuve
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2009) “How has the Port Radium Remediation Project made the site safer for people, animals and the environment?”
CBC News (2007), “Cleanup starts on NWT’s Port Radium”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2005), Port Radium Remediation Plan
Canada-Déline Uranium Table (2005), “Final Report Concerning Health and Environmental Issues Related to the Port Radium Mine” The Canada-Déline Uranium Table (2002), “Port Radium Action Plan”
Nikiforuk, Andrew (1998), “Echoes of the Atomic Age: Cancer kills fourteen aboriginal uranium workers”, Calgary Herald
List of relevant research:
Bothwell, Robert (1984), Eldorado, Canada's National Uranium Company, Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Caine, Ken, M. Salamons and Deborah Simmons (2007), “Partnerships for Social Change in the Canadian North: Revisiting the Insider-Outsider Dialectic”, Development and Change: 38(3): 447-471.
Campbell, D. (1957), “Port Radium Mine”, Structural geology of Canadian ore deposits. Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 177-189.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 4
ELDORADO MINE SUMMARY
Chambers, Doug, Gerd Wiatzka and Steve Brown (2012), “Port Radium Canada's Original Radium/Uranium Mine, The Complete Story of Canada's Historic Radium/Uranium Mine, 1932 to 2012 – 13159”, Phoenix: WM2013 Conference.
Délıne Uranium Team, (2005), “If Only We Had Known: The History of Port Radium as Told by the Sahtúot’ine (Délıne)”
Gordon, Sarah (2015), “Narratives Unearthed, or, How an Abandoned Mine Doesn’t Really Abandon You”, in Keeling and Sandlos (eds.) Mining and Communities in Northern Canada: History, Politics and Memory, Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 137-165.
Howe, G.R. et al. (1987), “Lung cancer mortality in relation to radon daughter exposure in a cohort of workers at the Eldorado Port Radium Uranium Mine: possible modification of risk by exposure date”, National Cancer Institute of Canada, 79(6): 1255-1960.
Wiatzka, G, C.F. Gravelle (2010), Northern Mine Decommissioning – Case Study of Remedial Works for Closure of Port Radium, Canada’s Original Uranium Mine, WM2010 Conference.
Sandlos, John and Arn Keeling (2009), “Environmental Justice Goes Underground? Historical Notes from Canada’s Northern Mining Frontier”, Environmental Justice, 2(30: 117-125.
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Silke, Ryan (2005), “A Trip to Great Bear Lake: Historical Mine Sites Investigations”
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work:
Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos) Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Lead: Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 4 of 4
GAHCHO KUÉ PROJECT SUMMARY
GAHCHO KUÉ Project Mine
Description of the mine Located on a 10.353 acre site of federal land at Kennady Lake, NWT, the Gahcho Kué project is the world’s largest new diamond mine under development. The project is a joint venture between Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. and De Beers Canada Inc, with De Beers as the sole operator of the mine. The project obtained ministerial approval in October 2013. The mine construction began in December 2013 and was completed in December 2015. Four main kimberlite pipes comprise the Kennady Lake kimberlite cluster: 5034, Hearne, Tuzo and Telsa, all which lie underneath the lake. Telsa is not included in the project’s mineable resource because of its smaller size, but may be exploited near the end of the project. Production is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2016.
Photographs/Videos
(YouTube Video) An Introduction to Gahcho Kué at Kennady Lake (The World’s Largest and Richest New Diamond Mine). Uploaded on Feb 15, 2012 by mountainprovdiamonds. (14:06 min):
This video explains the development plan for the Mountain Province joint venture with De Beers at Kennady Lake, located in Canada's Northwest Territories. The Kennady Lake Project is the world’s largest and richest new diamond mine, scheduled to begin construction in 2013/14.
(YouTube Video) Mountain Province: Gahcho Kué Diamond Project in Northwest Territories. Published on Mar 20, 2013 by mountainprovdiamonds. (1:53 min).
The Kennady Lake project is the largest new diamond mine under development globally, and has the potential to become one of Canada's major high-grade and long-lived diamond mines.
General Information Location: Kennady Lake, on Akaitcho Treaty 9 Territory, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: open pit diamond mine Owner: Mountain Province Diamonds (49%) and De Beers (51%) Date to open: August 2016 Estimated mine life: Until 2027
Average number of employees: Between 360 and 380 during operational phase, up to 690 during construction phase. Estimated size of ore body: 35 million tonnes Estimated production value: 55 million carats
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 4
GAHCHO KUÉ PROJECT SUMMARY
Local employment figures: Target is NWT Residents representing at 55% of total employment on average. Percentage of Indigenous employees: No data yet, Aboriginal employment in the three De Beers’ operated NWT mines was 25% of the total employment in 2008.
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Reliance, NWT (77 km, 49 miles) Lutselk’e, NWT (137 km, 85 miles) Access to mine: Served by the Gahcho Kué aerodrome, which has both a winter ice runway and a gravel runway, and a spur of the Tibbitt-Contwoyto Winter Road from Lupin Mine, which was connected to the Gahcho site by a 125 km ice road in 2015.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): Yes, agreements have been signed with Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation, the Tlicho Government, Deninu Kué First Nation, NWT Métis Nation, and Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Project will bring economic growth to NWT, which Could negatively impact the area’s Bathurst has been facing falling mineral prices and caribou population through direct declining mineral production. Over the mine’s interaction as well as habitat change. An lifespan, the total GDP impact is projected to be assessment of the cumulative effects $3.2 billion, with $313 million in NWT conducted by De Beers projected a 12.2% government revenue (2011 estimate). reduction in final herd abundance over 30 It is hoped this project will halt the large declining years, as a result of this development. in mining jobs seen over the last five years and The mining process will result in the curtail out-migration. It is estimated the mine will draining of Kennady Lake. This will impact raise NWT’s employment level by 1.6%. local watersheds during the life of the mine Plans to hire 100 employees from the closing resulting in impacts to surface water, fish Snap Lake Mine. and aquatic habitat. Plan for some of the mine rock to be used for Uranium levels in the lake are expected to construction of roads, airstrip, and other rise by a factor of 11,000 during the mine’s infrastructure. operation. Hiring priorities for Gahcho Kué Project focus on Concerns regarding the release of Aboriginal people living within the local study contaminants such as furans and dioxins, area of the project. and the project’s impact on permafrost. Objective of at least 60% of annual expenditure Potential impact on cultural activities on goods or services through NWT businesses GNWT will have to pay significant royalties during operations and closure, and 30% during to the Federal Government, which will construction. reduce overall revenue. Aboriginal Has prepared a business development strategy Governments will share, at most, 25% of for Aboriginal Authorities. royalties. Is collaborating with local and Aboriginal communities to support the development of literacy programs in the Local Study Area. This ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 4
GAHCHO KUÉ PROJECT SUMMARY
will include an expansion of their “Books In Homes” literacy program. Has committed to providing travel allowances and chartered transportation for workers to the site, and regional allowance for those living in the NWT. Has committed to provide money management training for staff. Has funded the development of a cultural awareness program in partnership with the Yamozha Kué institute, and has committed to delivering a leadership development program for staff.
Relevant Links De Beers Final Submission to Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board (2003)
De Beers Canada Gahcho Kué Human Resources Strategy
CBC News (2016) Gahcho Kué mine worker alleges safety concerns.
CBC News (2015) Gahcho Kué diamond mine co-owner welcomes influx of Snap Lake workers
EDC Project Review Summary: Gahcho Kue Project (2015)
CBC News (2014), Gahcho Kue threatens environment: Yellowknives Dene
Hatch Ltd and JDS Mining and Energy Inc (2014) “Gahcho Kué Project 2014 Feasibility Study” Prepared for Mountain Province Diamonds Inc.
Mackenzie Land and Water Board (2014), De Beers – Gahcho Kue Mining and Milling Presentation.
Northern Journal (2013), First Nations ask minister to put brakes on Gahcho Kué.
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (2013) “Northern Project Agreement for the De Beers Canada Cahcho Kué Diamond Project in the Northwest Territories.
De Beers Canada (2013) “Updated Project Description: Gahcho Kué Project” Prepared for the Government of NWT.
Rhoades, Hannibal (2013), Indigenous Peoples’ Firght to the Future of Lake Kennady, Caribou and Gahcho Kue. Intercontinental Cry Magazine.
Mountain Province Diamonds: Project Page
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 4
GAHCHO KUÉ PROJECT SUMMARY
De Beers Canada: Gahcho Kué Page
Schlenker Consulting Ltd. (2011), Evaluation of the Economic Impacts of the Gahcho Kué Diamond Project.
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: http://reviewboard.ca/upload/project_document/EIR0607-001_Plain_Language_Summary_English.PDF
List of relevant research:
Ehrlich, Alan (2012), “Dealing with Culturally Sensitive Areas in Industrial Project Design”,The International Indigenous Policy Journal, 3(2).
Gunn, A., D. Russell, and L. Greig (2014), Insights into integrating cumulative effects and collaborative co-management for migratory tundra caribou herds in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Ecology and Society 19(4): 4-14.
Hall, Rebecca (2013), “Diamond Mining in Canada's Northwest Territories: A Colonial Continuity”, Antipode 45(2), 37-393.
Irlbacher-Fox, Stephanie (2012) “Gahcho Kué Economic Impacts and NWT Devolution” Northern Public Affairs.
Schmidt, N. (2015), The Gahcho Kué Mine Dewatering Experience, Winter 2014-2015. Presentation to NWT Geological Survey.
Thomson, Jeffrey (2015), The Duty to Consult and Environmental Assessments: A Study of Mining Cases from across Canada. Masters thesis presented to the University of Waterloo.
Review Board Decision: Approved http://www.reviewboard.ca/upload/project_document/EIR0607-001_Gahcho_Kue_Diamond_ Mine_Project_Report_of_EIR.PDF
Training programs: Has committed to establishing a trades training, apprenticeship and professional training sponsorship program and provide a combined minimum of 30 training, apprenticeship and professional training positions for Aboriginal Persons and NWT Residents.
Impact Benefit Agreement: Socio-economic agreement signed with NWT (IBAs are not public)
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Traditional Knowledge on the Impacts of Diamond Mining on Caribou and Communities in the Western Arctic (Project Leader: Kelsey Jansen)
Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 4 of 4
GIANT MINE SUMMARY
GIANT Mine
Description of the mine The Giant Mine was a large gold mine located on the Ingraham Trail just outside Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Gold was discovered on the property in 1935 by John Baker, but the true extent of the gold deposits were not known until 1944 when a massive gold-bearing shear zone was uncovered beneath the drift-filled Baker Creek Valley. A program of extensive development began, and gold production was attained in May 1948. The discovery led to a massive post-war staking boom in Yellowknife. The productive claims are composed of two separate properties, amalgamated into the same operation in 1965 –Giant and Supercrest. The site’s 950 hectares includes 8 open pits, 4 tailings ponds, and three 2,000-foot deep shafts. It produced over 7,000,000 troy ounces of gold over its lifespan. The mine witnessed an 18-month strike/lockout between 1992 and 1993 during the tenure of Royal Oak Mines ownership, at the height of which 9 workers were killed in a deliberately planned explosion in a drift of the mine. Mine employee Roger Warren was later convicted of placing the bomb. The strike ended in 1993, pursuant to an order by the Canada Labour Relations Board. A civil suit also resulted on behalf of the families of the replacement workers killed in the explosion. In 2008 the nine Giant Mine widows lost their $10-million civil judgment when the Northwest Territories Supreme Court overturned an earlier ruling. Mining operations ceased July 2004 and the property is now under the management of the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), which assumed ownership of the property in 1999 following the bankruptcy of Royal Oak Mines. A total of 237,000 tonnes of deadly arsenic trioxide dust, the lethal byproduct of extracting gold from the ore, was produced over the mine’s operating life, most of which remains underground at the site. Reclamation activities surrounding this problem are ongoing. The Giant Mine Remediation Project team began work on a detailed remediation plan in 2006 that was approved by the federal government in 2014, and work is expected to begin in 2017. The plan involves using a technology that permanently freezes the dust.
Photographs/Videos
YouTube - 35 – Giant Mine arsenic remediation – Peter Mikes. Published on March 25, 2014. (17:12 seconds)
YouTube - Contamination Nation: Toxic threat underneath old gold mine. Published on November 24, 2014 by Global News. (18:18 seconds)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 5
GIANT MINE SUMMARY
General Information Location: Ingraham Trail, just north of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Type of mine and ore: open-pit and underground gold mine Owner(s): Falconbridge (1948-1986 through subsidiary Giant Yellowknife Mines Limited), Pamour of Australia (1986-1990 through subsidiary Giant Yellowknife Mines Limited), Royal Oak Mines (1990– 1999), and Miramar Mining Corporation (1999–2004). Time of operation: From May 1948 to 2004.
Average number of employees: 355 direct employment positions annually from 1948 to 1998. Indirect and induced employment levels averaged at 131 and 101 respectively over the same period. Estimated size of ore body: 5 million tonnes Average production value: 1948-1970: Average grade of 0.74 ounces per tonne gold; 1971-1999: Average grade of 0.35 ounces per tonne gold. Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: year-round
Nearby communities: Yellowknife, NWT (5 km, 3 miles) Detah, NWT (10 km, 6 miles) Discovery, NWT (79 km, 49 miles) Access to mine: All-season road
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): No
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Over 700 million ounces of gold was mined No quotas for Aboriginal hiring, direct from the site, generating approximately participation in the labour force by Aboriginals $2.7 billion in revenues and contributing was never significant. just over $2,000 million to NWT’s GDP. Most resource royalties went to the federal Is widely credited with helping build the government. city of Yellowknife. Had a large role to play Airborne arsenic emissions around the site were in Canada’s post-war economic boom. 22,000 kg per day during the 1940’s and 1950’s, Generated a total of 586 positions annually dropping to 600 kg per day by the 1960’s and over a 51-year period, equating to nearly again to 13 kg per day by the 1980’s thanks to 30,000 person-years of employment. technology upgrades. Direct employees earned an averages of Numerous accounts from indigenous communities $45,000 annually (2002 dollars) living near the site, namely the Yellowknives Dene Generated $78 million in corporate income and Dogrib people, of the severe health impacts taxes and $16 million in mining taxes from this pollution. Reported deaths of indigenous Generated $677 million in shareholder’s children from arsenic-poisoned water near the equity site began in the 1950’s, including the high profile Responsible for much of the early “built death of a young Nlilo child after eating arsenic- capital” in Yellowknife including the hydro poisoned snow. Many reported hair loss and skin ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 5
GIANT MINE SUMMARY
power developments at Snare, the highway lesions after bathing in Yellowknife Bay. Doctors connection, and a significant amount of the working in the area later confirmed this, along down town Yellowknife housing stock, with cardiovascular effects and neuro pathology. much of which is still in use. People witnessed wildlife such as moose dying Many donations to early community suddenly after drinking water near the mine. facilities, such as its lumber donation to the Drinking water sources become contaminated Gerry Murphy Arena. from tailings ponds seepage. Local health authorities did not properly warn people of this danger. Indigenous residents were expected to pay for clean water that was trucked into villages in the 1970’s, but many could not afford it. Dangerous working conditions led to many workplace injuries and casualties. The 18-month strike/lockout occasioned the worst strike in the mine’s history, including picket lines riven by flares of violence, risky explosions, cut power lines, RCMP snipers, and a riot involving grenades, tear gas and shots fired by police, in addition to the mass murder. Mining operations have created a massive environmental liability left to the federal and territorial governments to sort out, namely the high levels of toxic arsenic trioxide found dangerously close to the city of Yellowknife and the ecosystem of Yellowknife Bay. The clean-up will cost taxpayers more than $1 billion. Recent flooding around the mine’s Mill Pond's underground chamber in 2006, which contained 16,946 tonnes of the waste, threatens to dump large amounts of arsenic into Yellowknife Bay. The closure of the mine caused housing prices and Yellowknife to plummet.
Relevant Links Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2016), “What’s Happening at Giant? – December 2015/January 2016)
Selleck, Lee (2015) “Yellowknife’s Giant Mine: Memories and riches” CBC News
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2015) Giant Mine Remediation Project Environmental Agreement
Sandlos, John and Arn Keeling (2014), “Giant Coverup”, Edge North. Link to Environmental Impact Statement:
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 5
GIANT MINE SUMMARY
Carolyn Jarvis, Brennan Leffler and Francesca Fionda (2014), “Toxic dust buried under Yellowknife’s ‘Giant Mine’ to cost taxpayers $900M”, Global News.
CBC News (2014) “Giant Mine cleanup workers show high levels of arsenic”
The Economist (2014) “Canada’s Giant Mine: Giant headache”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2013) "Giant Mine Remediation Project”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2013), “History of Giant Mine”
The Toronto Star (2008) “Court overturns award to Giant Mine widows”
Bryant, Mike W. (2006), "Disaster brewing at Giant mine site", Northern News Service.
Yellowknives Dene First Nation Environmental Committee (2005) “Impact of the Yellowknife Giant Gold Mine on the Yellowknives Dene – A Traditional Knowledge Report”
Gatehouse, Jonathan (2003), “Giant Mine Murders: Ten Years Later”, The Canadian Encyclopedia
List of relevant research:
Bullen, Warwick and Malcom Robb (2002), “Socio-economic Impacts of Gold Mining in the Yellowknife Mining District”
Gibson, Ginger and Jason Klinck (2005), “Canada’s Resilient North: The Impact of Mining on Aboriginal Communities”, Pimatisiwin: A Journal of Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Health, 3(1): 116-139.
Hobart, Charles (1984), “The Impact of Resource Development on the Health of Native People in the Northwest Territories”, The Canadian Journal of Native Studies, 4(2): 257-278.
Jamieson, Heather (2014), “The Legacy of Arsenic Contamination from Mining and Processing Refractory Gold Ore at the Giant Mine, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada”, Reviews in Mineralogy & Geochemistry 79: 533-551.
Keeling, Arn and John Sandlos (Project Leads), “Toxic Legacies: Community Perspectives on Arsenic Pollution at Yellowknife’s Giant Mine”, a Partnership Development Project with Memorial and Lakehead Universities, Goyatiko Language Society, and Alternatives North, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Keeling, Arn and John Sandlos (2015), “Toxic Legacies at Giant Mine”, Northern Public Affairs.
O’Reilly, Kevin (2013) “Reviewing the review board: Was the Giant Mine environmental assessment a success?”, Northern Public Affairs, September 2013.
O’Reilly, Kevin (2001) Community Perspectives on the Giant Mine, Yellowknife Presentation to Orphan Mine Sites Workshop
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 4 of 5
GIANT MINE SUMMARY
Paci, Chris and Noeline Villebrun (2005), “Mining Denendeh: A Dene Nation Perspective on Community Health Impacts of Mining”, Pimatisiwin: A Journal of Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Health, 3(1): 71-85.
Sandlos, John and Arn Keeling (2012), “Giant Mine: Historical Summary” Silke, Ryan (2012), “High-Grade Tales: Stories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Silke, Ryan (2013), “Giant Mine Milling and Roasting Process, Yellowknife, NWT: A Historical Summary”, submitted to Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
Review Board Decision: Mackenzie Valley Review Board (2013) “Report of Environmental Assessment and Reason for Decision: Giant Mine Remediation Project”
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 5 of 5
MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SUMMARY
MACKENZIE Gas Project
Description The Mackenzie Gas Project is a proposed 1,196-kilometre natural gas pipeline system along the Mackenzie Valley of Canada's Northwest Territories to connect northern onshore gas fields with North American markets. The main Mackenzie Valley Pipeline would connect to an existing natural gas pipeline system in northwestern Alberta. The proposed Project crosses four Aboriginal regions: the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, the Gwich'in Settlement Area, the Sahtu Settlement Area and the Deh Cho Territory. A short segment will be in northwestern Alberta near the NWT border. The natural gas exploration and development companies involved have interests in three discovered natural gas fields in the Mackenzie Delta - Taglu, Parsons Lake and Niglintgak. Together, they can supply about 800 million cubic feet per day of natural gas over the life of the Project. Other companies exploring for natural gas in the North are also interested in using the pipeline. In total, as much as 1.2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas could be available initially to move through the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. Updated in 2007, the planning, building and operation of the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project is estimated at $16 billion and will take cooperation among many different companies, communities, settlement regions, regulatory agencies and governments.
However, to date, natural gas market conditions do not signal a commercially viable opportunity. The proponents have reduced spending on the project to a minimum, but remain hopeful that a solution can be found so that project activities may be restarted at some future date.
Photographs/Videos
Mackenzie Gas Project webpage: The Project
(YouTube) Mackenzie Pipeline. Published on April 1, 2007 by Assignment Earth. In northwestern Canada, conservationists and native tribes question energy companies' plans to build an 800-mile gas pipeline to fuel extraction of oil from tar sands in Alberta.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 6
MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SUMMARY
General Information Location: Mackenzie Delta Region, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: Natural gas pipeline Owner: Imperial Oil, ConocoPhillips, Shell, ExxonMobil, Aboriginal Pipeline Group Date opened: TBD Estimated mine life: 25 years
Average number of employees: 6,500 to 7,000 during first season of construction, about 45-55 long- term jobs forecasted for pipeline and related facilities operations, and 35 to 45 contractor jobs associated with overall operations activity. Estimated size of ore body: 82 trillion cubic feet of natural gas Estimated production value: Could transport 27 million cubic feet per day
Local employment figures & Indigenous employees: Objective of 16% of direct employment opportunities during construction and up to 72% of direct employment during Operations to be filled by Aboriginal Persons and NWT residents.
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Tuktoyatuk (40 km, 25 miles) Kittigazuit (on route) Inuvik (on route) Aklavik (24 km, 125 miles) Fort Good Hope (on route) Tulita (on route) Norman Wells (on route) Wrigley (on route) Fort Simpson (on route) Deline (90 km, 56 miles) Fort McPherson (34 km, 21 miles) Jean Marie River (on route)
Access to mine: access to sites might be by winter road, all-weather road, pipeline right-of-way or some combination of these.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): Yes. Impact Benefit Agreements have been signed with Gwich’in Tribal Council, two Sahtu Dene Governments, and the Inuvaluit Game Council, but not the Dehcho First Nations. Also Memorandum of Understanding signed with Aboriginal Pipeline Corporation and a Socio- Economic Agreement signed with the Northwest Territories. For more information: http://www.mackenziegasproject.com/theProject/regulatoryProcess/
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 6
MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SUMMARY
Impacts of Project Positive Negative MOU signed between four oil and gas Concerns regarding potential gas spills, companies and Mackenzie Valley Aboriginal potential disturbance of caribou and other Pipeline corporation – established a business wildlife habitats; increased green house gas partnership with aboriginal peoples. Funding emissions; impacts on water quality, and participation agreements signed in 2003 permafrost, vegetation and soil stability; enhance the rights of the Aboriginal group. degradation of muskeg due to heavy Has committed to giving preference to local equipment traffic; and development on lands businesses for contracting opportunities (goal identified for protected status. of procuring at least 15% from NWT Concerns regarding the need for long-term businesses). environmental monitoring The federally appointed Joint Review Panel Concerns regarding the volatility of natural gas concluded in 2009 that the project would as a commodity. deliver lasting overall benefits and avoid Concerns that influx of money could destroy adverse environmental impacts if its the traditional economy and result in drug and recommendations were implemented. Central alcohol issues. to these recommendations is the monitoring Conflict between proposed location of cumulative impacts, follow-up and adaptive construction with community land use, and use practices. of community infrastructure and utilities for Proponents claim project will create up to the project. 20,000 person-years of employment in the Concerns regarding how to acquire training region and lucrative returns from increasingly and employment, and ability for local scarce gas resources. companies to obtain contracts. Most Project will bring improved infrastructure, opportunities will be short-term in nature, and including the development of villages and there are concerns about people leaving school towns near the project to support workforce. to work on these short-term construction Mackenzie Gas Project Impact Act set aside opportunities and not continuing their $500 million in contributions to regional education. organizations with respect to mitigate socio- The Deh cho First Nation remains strongly economic impacts on communities arising opposed to the pipeline. An MVERB ruling from MGP. reversed the requirement to negotiate access Will bring human capital development through and benefit agreements with Deh Cho an extensive employee recruitment and communities, and they perceive this as a training plan, which will include literacy violation of the government’s duty to consult programs, career support, community and with indigenous nations. school outreach, etc. Concerns regarding how project workers will interact with communities.
Relevant Links Scope of Regulatory Applications being submitted by project proponents
Mackenzie Gas Project Website
CBC News (2016), “Groups weigh in on Mackenzie Gas Project deadline extension”
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 6
MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SUMMARY
Krugel, Lauren (2015), “Imperial Oil seeks sunset-clause extension for Mackenzie Gas Project”, The Globe & Mail.
Toronto Star (2014), Timeline of development in the Mackenzie Valley
Government of Canada and Government of the Northwest Territories (2010), “Final Response to the Joint Review Panel Report for the Proposed Mackenzie Gas Project”
Vanderklippe, Nathan (2010), “Mackenzie pipeline approved”, The Globe and Mail.
CBC News (2009), “Mackenzie pipeline gets green light from panel”.
Northwest Territories, (2007), Mackenzie Gas Project Socio-Economic Agreement between GNWT and Imperial Oil, ConocoPhillips Canada, Shell Canada.
Deh Cho Business Development Centre (2006) Technical Assessment of Environmental Impact Report of the Mackenzie Gas Project in terms of its effect on Deh Cho Business.
Stainsby, Macdonald (2006), “Indigenous Sovereignty and the Mackenzie Gas Project”, Briarpatch Magazine.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2004), “Mackenzie Gas Project and induced oil and gas exploration and development activities in the NWT” Federal funding allocation information
Presentation from Imperial Oil Ventures Ltd. on Mackenzie Gas Project to Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board (2004)
Government of the Northwest Territories’ “Mackenzie Gas Project” page.
National Energy Board – Mackenzie Gas Project Sunset Clause Extension Regulatory Documents.
Mackenzie Gas Project Impacts Fund Act
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: http://www.mackenziegasproject.com/theProject/regulatoryProcess/EISInBrief/EISInBrief.html
List of relevant research:
Banta, Ruseel (2006), “The Resource Curse and the Mackenzie Gas Project”, Policy Options: 79-86.
Canadian Arctic Resources Committee (2004) “Pipeline Perspectives”, Northern Perspectives, 29(2): 1- 28.
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (2003), “Backgrounder: Environmental Impact Review of Mackenzie Gas Project”.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 4 of 6
MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SUMMARY
Cizek, P. & S. Montgomery (2005), “Cumulative effects modeling of the Mackenzie Gas Project: scoping and development”, Canadian Arctic Resources Committee.
Gibson, Robert (2012), “Application of a contribution to sustainability test by the Joint Review Panel for the Canadian Mackenzie Gas Project”, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 29(3), 231-244.
Gibson, Robert (2006), “Sustainability-Based Assessment Criteria and Associated Frameworks for Evaluations and Decisions: Theory, Practice and Implications for the Mackenzie Gas Project Review”.
Holroy, P & H. Retzer (2005), “A peak into the future: potential landscape impacts of gas development in northern Canada”, Pembina Institute.
Leo-Paul Dana, Aldene Meis-Mason, Robert Anderson (2008), “Oil and gas and the Inuvialuit people of the West Arctic”, Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 2(2): 151-167.
McCulloch, Matt et al. (2007), “Mackenzie Gas Project Greenhouse Gas Analysis”, Pembina Institute.
Nuttall, M (2008), “Aboriginal Participation, Consultation, and Canada’s Mackenzie Gas Project”, Energy & Environment, 19(5).
Salokangas, Raila (2005a), “The Gwich’in Views of the Mackenzie Gas Project”, Prepared for Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board and Aurora Research Institute.
Salokangas, Raila (2005b). “Views of the Inuvialuit on Sustainable Development in the Mackenzie Gas Project in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region”. Northwest Territories, Canada, BE thesis, Tampere Polytechnic, Tampere.
Vladgama, Jaisel & Matt Gray (2007), “Assessing the Mackenzie Gas Project’s Contribution to Sustainability”, Pembina Institute.
Voutier, Letie et al. (2008), “Sustainable Energy Development in Canada’s Mackenzie Delta-Beaufort Sea Coastal Region”, Arctic 61(1): 103-110.
Wozniak, Kelly (2004) “Evaluating the Regulatory Review and Approval Process for Major Projects: A Case Study of the Mackenzie Gas Project”, Masters Research Project, Lakehead University.
Review Board Decision: Approved National Energy Board (2010), “Respecting all voices: Our journey to a decision” -Project description for Mackenzie Valley Project and reason for NEB’s decision.
Training programs: Committed in socio-economic agreement with NWT to organize and implement pre- employment on trades related training and apprenticeship programs, community-based literacy programs, participate in provision of a combined minimum of thirteen apprentice positions in advance of operation, maintain an NWT community focused human resources employment and training database to identify training priorities for potential workers to facilitate plans for training and employment, to create a training fund targeted towards oil and gas training
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 5 of 6
MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SUMMARY
programs (jointly funded by the Government of NWT), and to provide on-the-job supports to workers including skills upgrading, a mentor program, and aboriginal worker liaison program, cultural awareness training, etc.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 6 of 6
NECHALACHO PROJECT SUMMARY
NECHALACHO Project Mine
Description of the mine The Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements Project, located at Thor Lake, Northwest Territories, is Avalon Metal’s flagship rare metals project, considered to be the most advanced heavy rare element development project outside of China. The property is comprised of five contiguous mining leases totalling 10,449 ac (4,249 ha) and three mineral claims totalling 4,597 ac (1,860 ha). The project involves the development of two sites: an underground mining facility on the north shore of Great Slave Lake, and a Hydrometallurgical site on the south shore of Great Slave Lake.
Since acquiring the property in 2005, Avalon has invested approximately $100 million to further explore and develop the Thor Lake claim, first staked in 1970. The project has a completed feasibility study and an approved environmental assessment in place, and has obtained a land use and water use license for pre-construction work. Negotiations with various Aboriginal groups’ party to the Environmental Assessment process are ongoing, with two benefit agreements signed thus far. Next steps include securing remaining operating permits and licenses; negotiating a Socio-Economic Agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories, completing hydrometallurgical process pilot plant work, security off-take agreements with consumers, and arranging next stage project financing. The company must raise $1.6 billion to build the mine. The project will remain inactive in 2016, while the company focuses on its lithium and tin projects.
Photographs/Videos (YouTube) Sustainability in Mineral Exploration: Avalon Rare Metals. Published on February 18, 2014 by Avalon Advanced Materials. (3:35 min).
Don Bubar, President and CEO and Mark Wiseman, VP Sustainability discuss the importance of sustainability in mineral exploration, specifically with the rare earth elements and Avalon's Nechalacho Project in the Northwest Territories, Canada
(YouTube) Avalon’s Nechalacho Project Naming. Uploaded December 16 2009 by Avalon Advanced Materials. (2:46 min).
September 21, 2009 CBC Northbeat coverage of Avalon Rare Metal's Nechalacho project naming ceremony by the Yellowknives Dene First Nations.
General Information Location: Thor Lake in the Mackenzie Mining District of the Northwest Territories near Great Slave Lake, approximately 100 km southeast of Yellowknife. Type of mine and ore: underground rare earth oxides, zirconium mine Owner: Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. Date opened: Estimated 2017 Estimated mine life: 2037+ (20+ year mine life)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 4
NECHALACHO PROJECT SUMMARY
Average number of employees: Estimated 220 Estimated size of ore body: 12.56 million tonnes Estimated production value: 1.71% TREO1, 0.38% HREO and 22.5% HREO/TREO2 Local employment figures: Objective of 50% Percentage of Indigenous employees: goal of 30-40%
Mining activities conducted: Year-round Nearby communities: Rocher River, NWT (79 km, 49 mi) Detah, NWT (95 km, 59 mi) Yellowknife, NWT (101 km, 63 mi) Lutselk’e, NWT (101 km, 63 mi) Reliance, NWT (191 km, 119 mi) Fort Resolution, NWT (114 km, 71 mi) Access to mine: barge in summer and ice road in winter.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): Yes, IBA signed with Deninu K’ue First Nation, Participation Agreement signed with the Northwest Territory Métis Nation. Negotiations ongoing with Lutsel’ke Dene and Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Tlicho Government, and North Slave Metis Alliance. https://norj.ca/2013/11/avalons-nechalacho-mine-moves-to-permitting-phase/
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Proactive local and Aboriginal community Yellowknives Dene First nation passed a motion in outreach initiatives 2012 saying they “don’t support development of Demonstrated potential for additional the Thor Lake project on Chief Drygeese lands”, revenue streams from by-products such as citing a lack of consultation and not enough zirconium incorporation of traditional knowledge. IBA with Deninu Kue First Nation is the first Lutselk’e and Yellowknives First Nation have IBA for the IBA negotiated by the Aboriginal expressed their opposition to the project going group. Chief Balsillie stated: “It is the first time forward, due to inadequate traditional knowledge that a mining company has recognized our studies and efforts to protect wildlife (caribou). traditional territory – all of it…” Other concerns raised in community scoping Avalon is the only exploration company in sessions are related to tailings at processing NWT to have partnered with the Mine plants, possible accidents across Great Slave Lake Training Society. impacting water quality, acid rock drainage, water IBA gives priority to qualified First Nation security, impact of southern workers on the businesses for contracts. community, quality of jobs given to FN workers, Proponent has committed to adopting an impact on fist habitat, air emissions, and a alternating weekly schedule so workers would general worry of being left out of development have every other week available to participate and the cumulative effects on the area. in traditional/family activities.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 4
NECHALACHO PROJECT SUMMARY
Relevant Links Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (2015), “Nechalacho”
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (2014), “Nechalacho Project Fact Sheet”
Mining Technology (2014), “Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements Project, Thor Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada”
CBC News (2013), “Federal minister approves NWT rare earth mine”
CBC News (2013), “Avalon ‘disappointed’ with comments on mine plan”
CBC News (2013), “Future uncertain for new NWT mining projects”
Northern News Services (2012), “Avalon-Deninu Kue agreement sets precedent”
Quenneville, Guy (2014), “No more Mr. Nice Guy”, Up Here Business.
Avalon Advanced Minerals Inc. (2010), “Nechalacho Rare Earth Element Project, Community Scoping Session: Fort Resolution”
Avalon Advanced Minerals Inc, (2010), “Technical Issues Scoping Session – Tree of Peace, Yellowknife, NT”
Avalon Advanced Minerals Inc, (2010), “Nechalacho Rare Erath Element Project, Community Scoping Issues: Dettah”
Avalon Rare Metals Inc, (2013), “MD&A Disclosure on Nechalacho Community, Environment, Health and Safety, and Permitting”
Avalon Rare Metals Inc, (2014), “Avalon Provides Update on Progress on the Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements Project, Thor Lake, NWT”.
Carmichael, Dali (2015), “Avalon Rare Earth Mines operations slow but steady”, Northern Journal.
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (2012), “Pride of ownership: First nation takes equity stake in Avalon Rare Metals”.
The Canadian Business Journal (2016), “Avalon’s Nechalacho Rare Earths Project to Remain Inactive in 2016, while the Company focuses on Lithium and Tin”
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: http://reviewboard.ca/registry/project_detail.php?project_id=87&doc_stage=5
List of relevant research:
Thomson, Jeffrey (2015), “The Duty to Consult and Environmental Assessments: A Study of Mining Cases from Across Canada”, Masters Thesis, University of Waterloo. (168-174) ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 4
NECHALACHO PROJECT SUMMARY
Mercer, Bill (2010), “A Case History in Community Engagement Good Practice- Avalon Rare Metals Inc Engagement with Aboriginal People in the Northwest Territories”, on behalf of Avalon Rare Earth Metals, GeoCanada Convention 2010.
Williams-Jones, A-E. (2010), “The Nechalacho Heavy Rare Earth and Rare Metal Deposit, Thor Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada”, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 42(5): 335.
Avalon Rare Earth Metals (2011), “2010 Vegetation and Wildlife Baseline Studies Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements Project Thor Lake, Northwest Territories”
North Slave Metis Alliance (2012), “Report: North Slave Metis Alliance Traditional Land Use, Occupancy and Knowledge of the Thor Lake Project Area”
Review Board Decision: “The Review Board considered all evidence and information on the public record in reaching its decision according to Section 128 of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. The Review Board finds that the Project is likely to cause significant adverse impacts on the environment and has prescribed measures to mitigate adverse environmental impacts from the Project so that they are no longer significant. (…) The Review Board therefore recommends that this Project be approved, subject to the implementation of the measures and commitments set out in this report.” http://avalonadvancedmaterials.com/_resources/reports/Nechalacho_Report_of_EA-July_26_2013.pdf
Training programs:
The proponent has made commitments to train and employ Aboriginal workers, and has partnered with the Northwest Territories Mine Training Society. It will provide capacity funding once the project is underway to assist with training.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work:
Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 4 of 4
NEGUS MINE SUMMARY
NEGUS Mine
Description of the mine Negus Mine was a gold producer located on the south side of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Claims were originally staked by Ole Hagen in 1936 for Yellowknife Gold Mines Limited, and Negus Mines Limited was formed to develop the property in 1938. By 1940, a company town site had been established a short distance south of the Negus campsite, known as NegusVille. The mine maintained development well into World War II, and reopened in 1945, soon discovering rich ore zones within its claims group, prompting a significant expansion in 1947. Over its lifespan it produced 255,807 troy ounces (7956 kg) of gold from 490,808 tons of ore. Depletion of economically viable ore reserves lead to the mine’s closure in 1952. The site was cleaned up in the following years and the mineral claims were purchased by the owners of the adjacent Con Mine and were used for ventilation purposes until Con Mine closed in 2003. The area has been redeveloped and very little remains of the original operation.
Photographs/Videos Negus Mine, Yellowknife, Mackenzie District, Northwest Territories, Canada. Published by minedat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy. Page generated March 31, 2016.
General Information Location: South side of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: surface and underground gold mine. Owner(s): Cominco Limited, Rayrock Mines Limited, Negus Mines Limited (subsidiary of Yellowknife Gold Mines Limited) Time of operation: From February 1938 to September 1953.
Average number of employees: 120 Estimated size of ore body: Unknown (490,908 tonnes milled) Average production value: 0.61 ounces per tonne gold Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Yellowknife, NT (mine within city limits)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
NEGUS MINE SUMMARY
Rae-Edzo, NT (93 km, 58 miles) Whati, NT (165 km, 102 miles) Lutselk’e (188.26, 117 miles) Access to mine: all season road, barge
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): No
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative NegusVille is a fondly remembered town One Negus Mine tailings pond has yet to be that was equipped with extensive social remediated, and has been found to contain a high infrastructure, including a major level of arsenic: 12,500 ppm. recreation hall that offered many activities for residents. Marked the beginning of organized labour in the Northwest Territories’ mining industry. The mine produced a significant amount of gold and was an integral part of Yellowknife’s development into a modern city. Manager of the mine, Jock McNiven, became Yellowknife’s first mayor.
Relevant Links Silke, Ryan (2009), “The elder hoistman”, The Yellowknifer.
Stewart, Darrn (2003), “Negus residents challenge permits”, Northern News Services
List of relevant research: Silke, Ryan (2009), "The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada", Self Published.
Silke, Ryan (2009), "High Grade Tales: Stories from mining camps of the Northwest Territories", Self Published.
Powell, Chris (2008), “Questioning Mine Mill in Yellowknife: The Need for a Northern Labour History”, The Northern Review, 28: 187-206.
Duke, N., R. Hauser and C.R. Nauman (1991), “A Guide to the Geology of the Nerco Con Mine, Yellowknife, N.W.T.”, Geological Survey of Canada Open File 2168:41-52.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
NEGUS MINE SUMMARY
Nassichuk, W.W. (1987), “Forty Years of Northern Non-Renewable Natural Resource Development”, Arctic, 40(40): 274-285.
Winfield, Mark et al. (2002), “Looking Beneath the Surface: An Assessment of the Value of Public Support for the Metal Mining Industry in Canada”, Mining Watch Canada
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
NICO PROJECT SUMMARY
NICO Project Mine
Description of the mine The NICO deposit was discovered by Fortune Minerals in 1996. It contains 1.1 million ounces of gold, 82 million pounds of cobalt, 102 million pounds of bismuth, and 27 million pounds of copper. Positive feasibility studies, test mining, pilot plants and environmental assessments have already been completed for the site. It is a fully vertically integrated project that will include mining and concentrating ores in the Northwest Territories, and transportation of the metal concentrate to the proposed Saskatchewan Metals Processing Plant for further processing to high value metal and chemical products. NICO will be dedicated to the production of cobalt chemicals needed to manufacture rechargeable batteries, bismuth metals and chemicals, gold, and by-product copper. The unique metal assemblage of the deposit also includes more than 10% of global bismuth reserves along with significant gold as a counter cyclical hedge to reduce exposure to cobalt and bismuth price volatility. Fortune continues to pursue off-take agreements and financing solutions with the objective of commencing construction activities as soon as project financing is secured. Over $115 million of work has already been completed. Planned mill throughput rate is 4650 tonnes of ore per day.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: North Slave Region, 10 km east of Hislop Lake, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: underground and open pit gold, cobalt, bismuth and copper mine Owner: Fortune Minerals Limited Date opened: 2017 (tentative) Estimated mine life: 20 years
Average number of employees: 270 during construction and first two years, 188 when underground complete Estimated size of ore body: 33.07 million tonnes. Estimated production value: 1.03 g/t Au, 0.1% Co, 0.14% Bi, 0.04% Cu. Local employment figures: Goal of 59% Northern FTE from the region, 60-80% contractors from the region. Percentage of Indigenous employees: Goal of 30% Aboriginal FTE, 30-50% Aboriginal contractors.
Mining activities conducted: will be year-round Nearby communities: Whati, NWT (47 km, 29 miles) Gameti, NWT (58 km, 36 miles) Access to mine: proposed all-weather road, CN railway terminates at Hay River, 450 south of NICO and provides rail link for haulage of concentrate that will be produced.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): One will be negotiated with the Tlicho Government.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
NICO PROJECT SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Will provide legacy infrastructure for northern Concerns about water and soil contamination - Canada, including the proposed all-weather parts of the orebody contain significant road that will also service nearby Tlicho amount of arsenic, feasibility study mentioned communities. the possibility of arsenic migrating into acid Will be a large producer with estimated annual solution generated from tailings. revenue of $99 million, which may translate Potential wildlife impacts - Important species into significant royalties and tax revenue for that can be found near the NICO Project site NWT. Will bring over 200 jobs to the region and access road include barren ground caribou annually, and will provide free scheduled of the Bathurst herd, boreal caribou, moose, round-trip transportation from Tlicho wolverine, lynx, grey wolf, black bear, martin, communities in the region. muskrat, beaver, and migratory birds. Fortune Minerals had committed to the Potential cultural impacts – Tlicho and Metis development of a community relations plan. have traditionally used the Marian river and Has indicated it will work to engage youth, surrounding drainage basins, including the particularly those who are Tlicho and plans to NICO Project area, for harvesting fish and attend career fairs, building relationships with wildlife. The development is surrounded by schools, provide summer opportunities, Tlicho land, and is the core cultural and contribute to student achievement awards, historical area of their people. and to provide an education assistance program.
Relevant Links Fortune Minerals Limited, “Fortune Minerals Ltd. Factsheet” Information fact sheet aimed towards future and current investors.
Fortune Minerals (2015), “NICO Project Overview – Land Use Permit and Water Licence Public hearing” prepared for the Land Use Permit and Water Licence Public Hearing on February 24-25, 2014.
Fortune Minerals Ltd (2014), “Fortune Minerals announced positive updated Micon Feasibility Study and updated reserves for the NICO project” The document discusses the results of the Feasibility Study report by Micon International Limited for the NICO project.
Quennevill, Guy and Herb Mathisen (2014), “Mineral Pursuit, Northwest Territories”, Up Here Business, Discusses general financial information on the NICO project as of 2014.
Canadian Mining Journal (2013), “Construction to begin next year at Fortune’s NICO mine”,
Fortune Minerals Ltd (2009), “NICO Cobalt-Gold-Bismuth-Copper Project, Technical Scoping Session” Technical scoping session PowerPoint presentation presented on April 20, 2009 presented to the Review Board.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
NICO PROJECT SUMMARY
Dunbar, Scott (2012), "NICO Project - Analysis of Project Economics", Prepared for the Tlicho Government.
CBC News (2013), “Mackenzie Valley board approves NICO mine”.
Northern News Services, (2009) Fortune Minerals opts for diesel.
Government of the Northwest Territories (2012), “NICO Project Technical Report”. A technical report by the Government of the Northwest Territories released on June 19, 2012 discussing socio-economic impacts and environmental impacts of the NICO project.
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: http://www.reviewboard.ca/registry/project_detail .php?project_id=72&doc_stage=5
Review Board Decision: “Based on the evidence and information on the public record, it is the Review Board’s opinion that the NICO Project proposed by Fortune Minerals Limited is likely to cause significant adverse impacts to the environment, including water, wildlife and the cultural environment. (…) The Review Board therefore recommends (…) that this project be approved subject to the implementation of measures and commitments described in this Report.” http://www.reviewboard.ca/upload/project_document/EA0809- 004_NICO_Report_of_EA_and_Reasons_for_Decision__corrected_.PDF
Training programs: Has committed to providing on-the-job training and support for educational upgrading and targeted training and mentorship for those candidates that have management potential and want to advance their careers.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Wellbeing and the Impacts of Resource Development
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
NORMAN WELLS OIL FIELD SUMMARY
NORMAN WELLS Oil Field
Description The Norman Wells oil field, located in the Northwest Territories approximately 145 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, has been an oil producing entity since an Imperial Oil Ltd. funded drilling team discovered petroleum product on the site in 1920. The majority of the field lies beneath the Mackenzie River, which is ~ 5 kilometers wide at Norman Wells. Imperial Oil Ltd. first constructed an aviation fuel refinery at the site in 1932. It underwent a major development during World War II to supply fuel for North American forces. The development project, named Canol (Canadian Oil) included 67 new drill wells and a pipeline from Norman Wells to a purpose built refinery in Whitehorse. This refinery was shut down after the war and, until 1985, production was sent to an on-site refinery, which supplied only local markets. In 1982, a major expansion of the field was undertaken by Imperial Oil, which included the construction of six artificial islands on the Mackenzie River, the drilling of 253 wells and the construction of an 870 km pipeline from Norman Wells to Zama, Alberta where the line connected with the Rainbow Pipeline. In the 1990s and 2000s an additional 37 wells were drilled. The refinery permanently closed in 1996, but the oil fields in the area continue to produce over a million barrels of crude oil per year. Natural gas is also produced. Today, all production is transported to southern Canada.
Photographs/Videos
Photo: Norman Wells. Wikipedia. Last updated on January 13, 2016. The artificial islands used as drilling platforms to the oil deposits underneath the Mackenzie River (Dehcho River) are clearly visible on takeoff from the Norman Wells airport, Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada.
Photo: Norman Wells, N.W.T. Leads Country in Reported Pipeline Incidents. CBC, 10/30/2013. Published on Huffington Post. (image of a portion of the pipeline): http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/10/30/norman-wells-nwt-lead_n_4178068.html
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 4
NORMAN WELLS OIL FIELD SUMMARY
General Information Location: Mackenzie River, Sahtu Region, Northwest Territories Type of project: producing wells drilled from islands, light crude oil and natural gas Owner: Imperial Oil Canada Date opened: 1932 Estimated mine life: Until 2027 (2014, speculative)
Average number of employees: 67 workers, 200 contractors. Estimated size of body: Estimates of NWT and Arctic Offshore discovered resources: 1182 million barrels of crude oil, 16.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (2013). Estimated production value: Average daily production of oil: 13,000 barrels per day (2015). Cumulative production - gas: 4830 million m3, oil: 273.6 million barrels (2013).
Local employment figures: Approximately 50% are from the region. Percentage of Indigenous employees: No data. 3% of Imperial Oil Ltd.’s total workforce are Aboriginal, 60% of Norman Wells’ Aboriginal population are employed (2015).
Extraction activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Norman Wells, NWT (townsite of oil field) Tulita, NWT (85 km, 52 miles) Fort Good Hope, NWT (136 km, 84 km) Access to mine: The most common method of travel into the town of Norman Wells is by air via the Norman Wells airport. Movement of large equipment to the islands (where the majority of wells are located) is seasonally limited to a winter ice road that connects with Wrigley and Fort Simpson, NWT and operated December to March, and a summer river barge from Hay River, NWT.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): Ongoing Norman Wells Self-Government Negotiations - http://nwlc.ca/land-corp/self-government.php, https://www.aadnc- aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100025081/1100100025101
Impacts of Project Positive Negative Supplied fuel for North American forces during Norman Wells ranked as the community with the Second World War, and to regional highest number of reported incidents (spills, communities and mining interests. Also leaks, injuries, fires, etc.) on federally regulated helped support the development of aviation in pipelines in the country between 2006 and the Mackenzie Valley through fuel and 2012 – the majority happening at Imperial Oil lubricant supply. facilities. These included incidents where Major local employer, provides high wage several thousands of litres of oil or jobs. contaminated water were released into the Maintains a community awareness program Mackenzie River. Many of these incidents that involves nearby residents. were not reported to the municipality. Contributed to significant infrastructure 77 pipelines currently at risk of failing development. The town site now supports a
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 4
NORMAN WELLS OIL FIELD SUMMARY
population of 727 (2011) and is the Norman Wells has a lower rate of participation transportation centre for air, road and river in the traditional economy traffic in the Mackenzie Valley region. compared to other communities in the Sahtu Facilities generate electricity and provide Region, and 35% of the population had been in natural-gas service for the town of Norman the community for less than five years in 2011. Wells. This reflects the fact that many Norman Wells Contributed to a rise in tourism, as the original workers come from outside the local Canol pipeline route is now a heritage trail. community. Operates a “Partnering today, for tomorrow” Relatively high reliance on the oil economy in a program which identifies opportunities to town of its size makes Norman Wells partner with Sahtu organizations on projects vulnerable to shocks. that will provide benefits for Sahtu A GNWT 2000 report tracking the social Communities. In 2015 the program awarded a impacts of the construction of the Norman $50,000 grant to Sahtu Divisional Education Wells to Zama pipeline found that this Council to support its literacy program. In expansion project corresponded with rises in 2014, it donated $10,000 to Chief Albert child abuse and neglect, family breakdown, Wright School’s Science Programming. and spousal assault. Offers the Norman Wells Operations Aboriginal Scholarship to Sahtu community members pursuing studies in relevant disciplines, and other bursary awards to students in the NWT through the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.
Relevant Links Norman Wells Land Corporation
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2009), Norman Wells Land Corporation Self-Government Framework Agreement (between Federal Government, Government of NWT, and Sahtu Metis and Dene Participants)
Sahtu Land and Water Board
CBC News (2015), “Norman Wells has its say on draft fracking regulations”
CBC News (2014), “Imperial must follow Sahtu rules, say feds, GNWT”.
Campbell, Darren (2014), “Staying Power”, Up Here Business.
Imperial Oil (2013), “Norman Wells Field – a long history of oil production in the Central Mackenzie Valley”, for GeoConvention 2013: Integration.
Town of Norman Wells
Petrovich, Curt (2013), “Norman Wells, NWT leads country in reported pipeline incidents”, CBC News.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 4
NORMAN WELLS OIL FIELD SUMMARY
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: Interprovincial Pipeline (NW) Ltd. (1980), Norman Wells Pipeline Project: environmental impact statement.
List of relevant research:
Alternatives North (2016), “Economic Futures in the Sahtu Region: A Discussion Paper on Building a Balanced Economy”.
Bone, Robert and Robert Mahnic (1984), “Norman Wells: The Oil Centre of the North West Territories”, Arctic 37(1), 53-60.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2009), “Impact Evaluation of Comprehensive Land Claims Agreements”.
Kudelik, Gail (2012), “Norman Wells”, The Canadian Encyclopedia.
Stewart, J.S. (1948), “Norman Wells Oil Field, Northwest Territories, Canada”; in Structure of Typical American Oil Fields, Volume III: 86-109.
Write, Adam (2013), “Impact and Benefit Agreements: The Role of Negotiated Agreements in the Creation of Collaborative Planning in Resource Development”, Masters Major Research Paper presented to the University of Guelph.
Review Board Decision: Imperial Oil has applied to the Sahtu Land and Water Board to renew their water license for another 10 years: http://www.mvlwb.ca/Boards/slwb/Registry/2003/S 03L1-001- Imperial%20Oil%20Resources%20Ltd.%20Type%20A/S03L1-001%20-%20Ame ndment%20Application%20-%20June%2024_14.pdf
Training programs: Norman Wells Northern Development program, a 2-year training program open to Aboriginal people from Sahtu community.
Impact Benefit Agreement: Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (1993), “Section 9: Norman Wells Proven Area” in Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 4 of 4
OUTPOST ISLAND MINE SUMMARY
OUTPOST ISLAND Mine
Description of the mine Outpost Island is located southeast of Yellowknife on Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories. Gold was discovered here by prospectors in 1935, and some development was undertaken in 1936-1938. Tungsten ores became valuable during World War II, so the owners investigated the tungsten possibilities of the mine. It produced small amounts of gold, copper, and tungsten during 1941-1942, processing 50 tonnes of ore per day. Financial difficulties resulted in the closure of the mine in the fall of 1942. It reopened briefly in the early 1950s during the Korean War. It was a small deposit and was not considered economic because of unpredictable tungsten market prices in the 1950s. The work stopped in 1952, and three years later the old property burned to the ground. The ruins were cleaned up by government crews in 1994-1995. Full remediation of all Great Slave area sites began in 2015, following formal approval of a Remedial Action Plan by the Northwest Territories Government in 2013.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: 94 km southeast of Yellowknife on Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: underground gold, tungsten and copper mine Owner(s): Tungsten Corporation of Canada Limited (1951-1952), Slave Lake Gold Mines Limited (1941- 1942) Time of operation: From October 1941 to October 1942, 1951-1952
Average number of employees: 60 workers Estimated size of ore body: 1 million tonnes. Average production value: Tungsten - 3% WO3, Gold – 0.6 ounces per tonne Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Rocher River, NWT (54 km, 33 miles) Fort Resolution, NWT (63 km, 39 miles) Access to mine: Barge from Fort Smith in summer, skied planes or train in winter, plane service twice per week for personnel.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
OUTPOST ISLAND MINE SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Produced approximately 20,000 Some physical hazards, such as mine debris and old ounces of gold, 35,000 tonnes of infrastructure remain at the site, as well as exposed tungsten oxides, and 230,000 pounds tailings and waste rock. of copper, 69 tonnes tungsten-gold Most miners were flown or shipped in, little local concentrate, and 312 tonnes copper- employment. gold concentrate. The mine did not run smoothly from the outset and was Remediation plan involves strong barely profitable. The mine camp was found to be in a partnership/consultation between bad state of repair and generally unsanitary by the federal government and aboriginal federal mining inspector in 1941. communities. Remediation work will At the announcement of the mine’s initial closure in employ many local residents. 1942, a few dozen miners and their families learned they would not be receiving their final two pay cheques, and that there were no funds available to assist them in evacuating the island. They were left stranded on Great Slave Lake and had to devise an escape strategy on their own.
Relevant Links French, Evan (2015), “Great Slave mine cleanup set”, Northern News Services
Breadmore, R et al. (2014) “Great Slave Lake (GSL) Remediation Project: Community Engagement and Capacity Building Strategy”, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Contaminants and Remediation Directorate.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2014) “What’s Happening in Areas Subject to On-going Negotiations? Contaminated Site Remediation: A Year in Review”
Holland, Eva (2013) “The great escape for Outpost Island Mine”, Up Here Magazine List of relevant research:
Silke, Ryan (2012), “High-Grade Tales: Stories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Link to Environmental Impact Assessment: Ross, Julie and Shannon Allerston (2014), “Archaeological Impact Assessment of Outpost Island, Blanchet Island and Copper Pass Mine Sites”, Prices of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
OUTPOST ISLAND MINE SUMMARY
Winch, Susan (2009), “Phase III Environmental Site Assessment – Outpost Island Mine”, Franz Environmental Inc.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
PINE POINT MINE SUMMARY
PINE POINT Mine
Description of the mine Pine Point Mine was an extensive open pit operation located on the South shore of the Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories. Prospectors first discovered the metal deposits in the area in 1898, and further exploration took place in 1948. Pine Point Mines Ltd., a subsidiary of Cominco Ltd., was then formed and production began in 1965. At its peak, the mine shipped 1,000 tonnes of high grade lead and zinc ore to Cominco’s smelter in British Columbia each day. During the mine’s initial development phases, the Canadian Government contributed nearly $100 million for infrastructure, including a railway from Alberta to the mine (now the Mackenzie Northern Railway), hydroelectric dam, highway improvements, and the town site of Pine Point, which was home to approximately 2000 residents at its peak. The mine produced and shipped 10.78 million tonnes of lead and zinc concentrates/high grade ores after mining and milling 69.4 million tonnes of ore material. Contained metal was approximately 2 million tonnes of lead and 7 million tonnes of zinc. By the mid-1980’s depressed prices led to economic difficulties for the mine, and it closed in the spring of 1988. The town site was demolished and abandoned, and the property was remediated. The property was optioned to Tamerlane Ventures Incorporated in 2004, and a new zinc-lead project on the site is being planned.
Photographs/Videos
(YouTube) Pine Point Mine: History in the Landscape. Uploaded on October 19, 2009 by jsandlos. (8:30 min): The Pine Point lead-zinc mine was operated from 1964 to 1988 on the south shore of Great Slave Lake in northern Canada. This film shows images of the abandoned mine from the summer of 2009, along with reflections from two Memorial University professors, John Sandlos and Arn Keeling, who are writing a history of the mine and its impact on local people. General Information Location: Southern shore of Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: open pit and underground lead and zinc mine Owner: Pine Point Mines Limited (Subsidiary of Cominco Limited) Time of operation: From February 1964 to April 1988
Average number of employees: 530 workers Estimated size of ore body: 70 million tonnes Average production value: Grade of Lead: 2.9%, Grade of Zinc: 7.1% Local employment figures: Unknown (most were residents of the townsite) Percentage of Indigenous employees: Approximately 10%
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Fort Resolution, NT (70 km, 43 miles) Hay River, NT (87 km, 54 miles)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
PINE POINT MINE SUMMARY
Access to mine: Railway, Hay River winter road, highway connecting Pine Point with the Mackenzie highway.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Employed many Aboriginal individuals Was central to the government’s post-WWII colonial from Fort Resolution agenda for Northern Canada – bringing Aboriginal One of Canada’s most profitable lead- people out of the fur trade economy to more modern zinc mines ever forms of industrial wage labour. Contributed both to the development of Local land users from Fort Resolution were displaced northern Canada and to the classic ore- from traditional land use near Pine Point throughout deposit model for Mississippi Valley- the mine’s operation. Ice conditions around the dam type deposits. constructed for the mine changed the caribou Brought significant infrastructure that migration route away from the community, and the served the wider area, including the fish populations were impacted by runoff from Taltson hydroelectricity station, tailings ponds. Some trap lines were abandoned Mackenzie Valley Railway, highway because they were impacted by the mine’s improvements, and the town of Pine dewatering program. Point and its substantial social Many critics have argued that the economic promise infrastructure. of the mine for adjacent First Nations communities The town of Pine Point left past have gone largely unfulfilled (export-oriented residents with positive memories of a development) close-knit community and “endless” Site’s closure left forty-seven open pits and a recreational activities (see “Pine Point network of roads and cut lines abandoned in an un- Revisited” and “Welcome to Pine Point). remediated state, representing serious safety hazards Total production was equivalent to for those trying to hunt. There are also concerns more than $7 billion U.S. at current about the effects of contaminated water. Attempts metal prices. at tailings revegetation were abandoned as well. Some residents have linked the mine’s condition to high rates of cancer in the community. The landscape remains degraded due to a weak reclamation regime in place at the time of its closure, which has negatively influenced local land use and perceptions of environmental health.
Relevant Links Web documentary “Welcome to Pine Point”, produced by The Goggles in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada.
“Pine Point Revisited” historical website
Weaver, Katie (2015), “The Lost Town of Pine Point”, Up Here Magazine
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
PINE POINT MINE SUMMARY
Abandoned Mines in Northern Canada Research Project - Project Leads John Sandlos and Arn Keeling, Memorial University.
Norn, Lloyd and Tom Unka (2013) “Pine Point Mine: ‘This was our tar sands’”, One River News.
List of relevant research: Deprez, P. (1973), “The Pine Point Mine and the development of the area south of Great Slave Lake”, Winnipeg: Center for Settlement Studies, University of Manitoba.
Evans, M. S., Klaverkamp, J. F., & Lockhart, L. (1998). Metal studies of water, sediments and fish from the Resolution Bay area of Great Slave Lake studies related to the decommissioned Pine Point Mine. Saskatoon, Sask: National Hydrology Research Institute.
Keeling, A. and LeClerc, E. (2014), “From cutlines to traplines: Post-industrial land use at the Pine Point mine”, The Extractive Tindustries and Society 2: 7-18
Sandlos, J. (2015), “A Mix of the Good and the Bad”: Community Memory and the Pine Point Mine” in Keeling and Sandlos (eds.) Mining and Communities in Northern Canada: History, Politics and Memory, Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 137-165.
Sandlos, J. and Keeling, A. (2012), “Claiming the New North: Development and Colonialism at the Pine Point Mine, Northwest Territories, Canada”, Environment and History
Silke, R. (2012), “High-Grade Tales: Stories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
Silke, R. (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Tyson, R. (2006) “Minerals of the Pine Point lead-zinc deposit Northwest Territories Canada” in Rocks and Minerals.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
PRAIRIE CREEK MINE SUMMARY
PRAIRIE CREEK Mine
Description of the mine The Prairie Creek Mine is an advanced-staged zinc-lead-silver property located in the South Mackenzie Mountains of the Northwest Territories. Mineralization was first discovered here in 1928, and development of the site began in the 1970s. The Canadian Zinc Corporation (CZN) acquired the site in 1991, and has completed 40,000 metres of surface diamond drilling and an underground exploration program since then, which has greatly expanded the inventory of known resources on the property. Partially developed infrastructure and underground development and workings already exist on the property, and proposed production rates will reach 1,350 tonnes per day. CZN received the required licenses and permits for mine production in summer 2013, as well as for operating the winter road. CZN continues the Environmental Assessment process as part of its application to upgrade the access road into the mine for use on an all-season basis. However, as of winter 2013-14, the company has not been able to raise the financing required to move into production. The mine shut down in September 2015 and will likely not re-open until May 2016. The mine and related infrastructure are surrounded by the Nahanni National Park Reserve, which was expanded in 2009 to completely surround the site of the Prairie Creek Mine. At the same time of the Park expansion, the Government of Canada provided legislative assurance that upon successful permitting, CZN would have the rights to operate and access the Prairie Creek Mine. CZN has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Parks Canada in July 2008 and a continuation of that MOU in March 2012 in which both Parks Canada and CZN support a balanced approach to resource development and conservation. CZN has also signed Impact Benefit Agreements with the Nahanni Butte Dene Band and the Liidlii Kue First Nation, and a Socio-Economic Agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories Photographs/Videos Image of the Prairie Creek Mine and Airstrip available at Canadian Zinc Corporation’s website: http://www.canadianzinc.com/projects/prairie-creek General Information Location: South Mackenzie Mountains in the Dehcho Region, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: underground zinc-lead-silver mine Owner: Canadian Zinc Corporation Date opened: 2017 (pending financing) Estimated mine life: 20 years after opening date.
Average number of employees: 220 workers (projected) Estimated size of ore body: 8.7 million tonnes Estimated production value: 9.5% Zn, 8.9% Pb, and 136 grams per tonne Ag Local employment figures: Committed to having NWT residents represent at least 60% of total employment annually (75% during closure, 30% during construction). Percentage of Indigenous employees: Committed to 15%
Mining activities conducted: year-round
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
PRAIRIE CREEK MINE SUMMARY
Nearby communities: Nahanni Butte, NWT (93 km, 58 miles) Fort Liard, NWT (160 km, 99 miles) Fort Simpson, NWT (184 km, 115 miles) Access to mine: 1 km gravel airstrip, all season road being built.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): Yes, http://www.canadianzinc.com/responsibility/c ommunity/agreements-support
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Owner has agreed to maximize local Mine is located 32 km upstream from the Aboriginal employment in the project, and to Nahanni National Park Reserve, and flows into give preferences to local Aboriginal the South Nahanni River. Environmental groups businesses in provision of goods and have been vocal regarding the government’s services. Has also agreed to establish a mandate to ensure the mine does not have Liaison Committee to ensure Aboriginal cumulative negative impacts on the integrity of community members are informed and this property. consulted on the project. Concerns regarding potential for acid mine Owner has projected created a total of 7,262 drainage that could negatively impact water FTA person years of employment including quality, its impact on wildlife (namely grizzly 5,011 FTE person years in the NWT. bears), risk of sedimentation in Prairie Creek and The mine’s operation is projected to result in other waterways (particularly as it relates to bull the payment of approximately $285 million trout and other fish species), and risk to in taxation, government royalties and social environment and human health caused by insurance programs and pension plans. concentrates containing mercury, antimony and CZN has been providing scholarships and arsenic. training opportunities to local residents since In a survey conducted in the Nahanni Butte Dene 2003. community, 88% of respondents believed that the mine could have certain negative impacts on traditional activities, and 81% believed the mine could contaminated water, plants and animal habitat, and 67% believed the mine could harm or scare away animals and fish. Relevant Links Hudson, A. (2015)“Economic crunch hits Prairie Creek mine”, Northern News Service.
Carmichael, Dali (2015), “Expected Prairie Creek mine life double initial estimates”, The Northern Journal.
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (2014), “INFORMATION SHEET: Proposed Prairie Creek Mine”
CBC News (2014), “Prairie Creek Mine road to get environmental assessment”
Keevil, Matthew (2014), “Canadian Zinc fine-tunes its plan at Prairie Creek”, The Northern Miner.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
PRAIRIE CREEK MINE SUMMARY
Canadian Zinc Corporation, “Prairie Creek”.
Canadian Zinc Corporation (2011), “Canadian Zinc and Liidlii Kue First Nation Sign Impact and Benefits Agreement for the Prairie Creek Mine”, Market Wired.
Government of the Northwest Territories (2011), “Prairie Creek Mine Project Socio-Economic Agreement”
Canadian Zince Corporation (2011), “Federal Government Provides $3 Million Funding to Assist in Training Aboriginal Employees at Canadian Zinc’s Prairie Creek Mine”, Market Wired.
Nahanni Butte Dene Band (2011), “Human Resource and Community Economic Development Survey Report and Analysis”.
Nahanni Butte Dene Band (2011), “Prairie Creek Mine Technical Report, Canadian Zinc Corporation, Final Submission by the Nahanni Butte Dene Band”
Canadian Zinc Corporation (2010), “Socio-economic Benefits of Proposed Prairie Creek Mine”, Market Wired.
NWT Chamber of Commerce (2009), “Expected economic benefits of Prairie Creek Mine”, Presentation.
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (2008), “Prairie Creek Mine – Comments from CPAWS”, submitted to Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board.
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: http://www.reviewboard.ca/registry/project_ detail.php?project_id=70&doc_stage=5
Review Board Decision: “Based on the evidence and information on the public record, it is the Review Board’s opinion that the proposed Prairie Creek Mine development is not likely to cause significant adverse impacts on the environment (…) The Review Board has therefore concluded that an environmental impact review of this proposed development is not necessary and that the Prairie Creek Mine project should proceed to the regulatory phase for approvals” http://reviewboard.ca/upload/project_document/EA0809- 002_Report_of_Environmental_Assessment_and_Reasons_for_Decision_1328709638.PDF
Training programs: In its socio-economic agreement with the GNWT, CZN committed to collaborating with the Government of the Northwest Territories, Aboriginal communities and other organizations in the development of pre-employment preparation, skill development training, on-the-job training, and re-training programs. In 2011, CZN obtained federal funding to implement ”More than a Silver Lining”, a joint program with the Mine Training Society that will provide Aboriginal participants with training-to- employment opportunities in a variety of mining related occupations at the mine. CZN has also committed to establishing a recruitment, training and employment strategy; work experience and placement programs; and summer student employment opportunities.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
PTARMIGAN/TOM MINE SUMMARY
PTARMIGAN/TOM Mine
Description of the mine The Ptarmigan and Tom Mine were gold producers located one kilometre apart on the Ingraham Trail, just northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The property was staked by prospectors in 1936 and acquired by Cominco in 1938. The mine first produced between 1941 and 1942 but closed due to wartime restrictions. The old property was demolished in 1969–1970. A new company, Treminco Resources Limited, reopened the workings in 1985 as a single unit. Production from the Tom portal began in 1986 with material being trucked to Giant Mine. The old Ptarmigan mine shaft was dewatered and production began in 1988. A new mill was built at the property and was operational in July 1989. Low gold prices and unsuccessful corporate investments forced the company to close and abandon the mines in 1997. Total gold production has been approximately 120,000 troy ounces (3700 kg). When the company went bankrupt in 2000, surface assets were seized by the Government of the Northwest Territories. Remediation plans for the mine are still unknown. On February 2, 2010, Trivello Energy Corp. (now Equitas Resources Corp.) announced it had acquired the Tom Gold Mine project including 5 claims of approximately 650 acres.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: 10 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: underground gold mine Owner(s): Equitas Resources Corp. 2010-Present, Treminco Resources Limited: 1985-1997, Ptarmigan Mines Limited (Cominco Limited): 1938-1942. Time of operation: From November 1941-September 1942, July 1988-August 1997
Average number of employees: 50 workers Estimated size of ore body: 600,000 tonnes Average production value: 0.35 ounces per tonne gold Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Yellowknife, NWT (10 km, 6 miles) Detah, NWT (13 km, 8 miles) Access to mine: all-weather road
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
PTARMIGAN/TOM MINE SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative In total, Treminco mined 75,000 Has remained a contaminated site ever since it was ounces of gold from the Ptarmigan abandoned. Numerous physical hazards remain – the mine, and just over 15,000 from the main shaft’s head frame has never been capped, the Tom shaft. mine’s portal is leaking waste and mine water from Played an important role in the flooded underground chambers into a nearby lake, and development of Yellowknife as a stretches of road are tainted with hydrocarbon modern city. pollutants. Treminco Resources Limited, now Elkhorn, which lost control of the mine’s assets in 2001, still owes the GNWT nearly $150,000 in property taxes, and the Workers’ Compensation board $15,000. The now-inactive company was required to submit an abandonment and reclamation plan by 2000, but never did. The majority of the security the company posted to cover cleanup costs was lost because they were in the form of irrevocable letters of credit that expired before they were renewed. Cleanup has remained stalled by a dispute between the federal and NWT governments over which party was responsible for the site. The mine’s caretaker was not paid his monthly fee during the last year he looked after the mine following its closure, due to Treminco’s poor financial situation.
Relevant Links CBC News (2013), “Old Ptarmigan mine needs better security, GNWT says”
Morgan, Shauna, Sarah Dobson & Tee Lim (2013), “Responsible Extraction: An analysis of the Northwest Territories Mineral Development Strategy Panel Report - Prepared for the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories”, The Pembina Institute.
Trivello Energy Corp. (2010), “Trivello Acquires Historic Tom Mine in the Northwest Territories”, Market Wired.
Northern News Services (2002), “Left for Dead”
Northwest Territories Geosciences Office (1995), “Detailed Showing Report: Ptarmigan Mine”
The Northern Miner (1989), “Treminco opens Ptarmigan mine at Yellowknife, NWT”
List of relevant research:
Batchelor, E.W. (1991), “Geology of the Ptarmigan and Tom Mines”, Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 2168: Mineral Deposits of the Slave Province, 60-62.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
PTARMIGAN/TOM MINE SUMMARY
Dance, Anne (2015), “Contemporary Policy and Practice for New and Legacy Mines”, The Northern Review, 41: 41-80.
Duhaime, Gérard et. a. (2003) “The Mining Industry and the Social Stakes of Development in the Arctic”, Université de Laval.
Silke, Ryan (2012), “High-Grade Tales: Stories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Wenig, Michael & Kevin O-Reilly (2005), “The Mining Reclamation Regime in the Northwest Territories: A Compaison with Selected Canadian and U.S. Jurisdictions”, Canadian Arctic Resources Committee.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work:
Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
RAYROCK MINE SUMMARY
RAYROCK Mine
Description of the mine Rayrock Mine is a former uranium producer located on the northwest side of Sherman Lake in the Northwest Territories. Radioactive deposits were originally staked in 1948 and then re-staked in 1950. Rayrock Mines Limited performed extensive exploration in the early 1950s. Underground development began in 1955, and the mine became operational in 1957 with a 150 tonnes per day leaching mill. The mine processed a total of 80,041 short tonnes of uranium ore yielding 458,020 pounds of uranium concentrate. By 1959, a depletion of economic reserves forced the mine’s closure. Most equipment and some buildings were removed in 1960-1961. Any remaining buildings were demolished in 1987. Environmental cleanup began in 1996, with remediation activities including sealing mine openings, removing radioactive material, capping tailings piles with clay, followed by revegetation. Since then, the site has been monitored annually by the federal government as part of the long-term monitoring program, with minor maintenance carried out as required. A Performance Assessment Report completed in 2012 suggested a new monitoring frequency for the site.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: northwest side of Sherman Lake, east of the Marian River, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: underground uranium mine Owner(s): Rayrock Mines Limited (subsidiary of American Yellowknife Mines Limited) Time of operation: From June 1957-July 1959
Average number of employees: 140 workers Estimated size of ore body: 111,250 tonnes Average production value: 0.3% U3O8 Local employment figures: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Whati, NWT (44 km, 27 miles) Behchoko, NWT (74 km, 46 miles) Gameti, NWT (84 km, 52 miles) Access to mine: all-weather road
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): No Percentage of Indigenous employees: 7%
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
RAYROCK MINE SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative The 56 km all-weather road designed for The mining facility and town existed in an the mine is now used as a winter road for abandoned state for over twenty years after the recreation and traditional activities. mine closed. The mine’s townsite accommodated 20 Radioactive tailings were deposited on land and families, and included a schoolhouse and partly flowed into 3 small lakes near the site. In various recreational amenities. 1959, two tailings basins contained 71,000 tonnes The mine was profitable during its of radiation active tailings that had the potential operation with mill recoveries averaging to leach materials. The mine was also a potential 97% with a concentrate grade of 75.8% source of radioactivity, through radon gas U3O8 in 1958, the best recorded in the emissions from mine openings and ventilation uranium industry. It created many jobs. shafts. This has brought both environmental and The Rayrock Elders Committee is health and safety concerns to nearby residents, continuously consulted in ongoing namely Tlicho citizens who feel the mine has remediation work for the site. They meet impacted the cultural and environmental value of to discuss findings and develop options for their land. monitoring and maintenance. A 2009 Environmental Site Assessment reported remaining hazardous (asbestos-containing materials) and non-hazardous debris (concrete piers and foundations).
Relevant Links Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2015), “Rayrock Remediation Project – Community Engagement Plan”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2012), “What’s Happening in the Wek’eezhii area? Contaminated Site Remediation: 2012 in Review”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2010), “The BIG Picture: Contaminated Sites in the NWT 2010” CBC News (2010), “Former NWT uranium mine not fully cleaned up”
SENES Consultants Ltd. (2009), “Rayrock Mine Supplemental Environmental Site Assessment”, Aurora Research Institute: NWT Research Database
Kneen, Jamie (2006), “Uranium Mining in Canada – Past and Present”, MiningWatch Canada.
List of relevant research:
Clement, C.h. and R.E. Stenson (2002), “Regulatory Challenges of Historic Uranium Mines in Canada”, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
Feasby, D. (1997) “Environmental Restoration of Uranium Mines in Canada: Progress Over 52 Years”, Natural Resources Canada.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
RAYROCK MINE SUMMARY
Nahir, Michael et al. (2003), “Development of a Long-term Monitoring Program for the Rehabilitated Rayrock Uranium Mine”
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Silke, Ryan (2012), “High-Grade Tales: Stories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
Tlicho Government (2015), “Community and Elder Engagement for Remediation at the Rayrock Mine Site”, Presentation to NWT Geoscience Office.
Veska, E. and R. Eaton (1991), “Abandoned Rayrock Uranium Mill Tailings in the Northwest Territories: Environmental Conditions and Radiological Impact”, Health Physics Society, 60 (3).
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work:
Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
RUTH MINE SUMMARY
RUTH Mine
Description of the mine The Ruth Mine was a small gold producer located east of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories within the Akaitcho Dene territory. It operated briefly during 1942 for 12 days before World War II halted operations. Production resumed under new owners in 1959 for a short time, but to this date the Ruth Mine has been unable to be a steady gold mining operation. Only 550 troy ounces (17 kg) of gold were extract from the mine. The site is scheduled to be remediated by the federal government.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: 96 kilometres east of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: underground gold mine Owner(s): Ruth Gold Mines Limited (1959), Cominco Limited (1941-1942) Time of operation: From August 1-12 1942, June-July 1959
Average number of employees: 40 workers Estimated size of ore body: 8,000 tonnes Average production value: 0.60 ounces per tonne gold Local employment figures: unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Detah, NWT (90 km, 89 miles) Lutselk’e, NWT (93 km, 58 miles) Yellowknife, NWT (96 km, 60 miles) Access to mine: floatplane (winter road and airstrip were once operational)
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): No
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 2
RUTH MINE SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative The old mine was significant as one of the Remediation concerns include hydrocarbon last intact abandoned mining properties from contamination, waste rock and 705 tonnes of the 1940s period in the Northwest tailings with metal contamination, and physical Territories, and reflected a potential tourism hazards: deteriorating buildings, scrap metal, opportunity. A forest fire in 2014 partially wood debris, diesel drums, and open shaft. destroyed the site. NWT’s mining museum plans to salvage some of the machinery in the event of a cleanup.
Relevant Links NWT Mining Heritage Society (2014), “Newsletter – September 2014”
McFadden, John (2014), “Historical gold mining sites lost to forest fires”, Northern News Services.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2010), “Big Picture 2010: Contaminated Sites in the NWT”
List of relevant research: Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Silke, Ryan (2012), “High-Grade Tales: Stories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 2
SAHTU OIL & GAS EXPLORATION SUMMARY
SAHTU Oil & Gas Exploration
Description Two shale deposits in the central Mackenzie Valley, the Canol deposit and the Bluefish deposit, located 1-2.2 kilometres underground, have attracted increasing drilling activity from a variety of oil and gas explorers. . Historical conventional production of 274 million barrels at Norman Wells came from the Devonian-aged Ramparts Limestone. Fourteen exploration licenses have been granted in the area since 2010-2011, for a total of $627.5 million in work-bid commitments. Seven new exploration wells have been drilled since 2012. MGM Energy operates in excess of 800,000 acres of land in the Sahtu region, and has drilled 11 wells since inception in the NWT. ConocoPhillips Canada drilled two vertical wells in 2012. Husky Energy has drilled two vertical wells since 2011, fractured one well in 2012, and completed 220 sq. km. of 3D seismic programs and constructed an all-season road in 2013. In 2014, two horizontal wells were drilled, the results of which are not yet publicly available. With the recent decline in oil prices, most companies have put their exploration plans for the Northwest Territories (NWT) on hold. MGM folded its resource plays in NWT in 2014. The Sahtu Exploration Readiness Session was held in 2012 to address the key issues and challenges of oil exploration and development in the region, and recognized the need for an action plan. Participants from the Government of the Northwest Territories, Aboriginal organizations, industry, and local residents and businesses were called to present their observations on building a foundation for a healthy and long-lasting oil and gas industry in the Sahtu.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: Sahtu Region, Central Mackenzie Valley District, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: unconventional shale oil and gas deposit drilling Owner: ConocoPhillips Canada, Husky Oil Operations Ltd., MGM Energy Corp. Date opened: Not yet opened Estimated mine life: 15-30 years
Average number of employees: Approximately 550 jobs in total, 67 FTE per program. Estimated size of ore body: 200 billion barrels of petroleum (145 billion within Canol, and another 46 billion barrels in Bluefish) Estimated production value: Currently USD $41 per barrel Local employment figures: Estimated 35% potential local employment Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: seasonal exploration (January to March) Nearby communities: (Exploration area spans 18.277 km2) Yellowknife, NWT Norman Wells, NWT Tulita, NWT
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 4
SAHTU OIL & GAS EXPLORATION SUMMARY
Déline, NWT Wrigley, NWT Fort Good Hope, NWT Colville Lake, NWT Fort Simpson, NWT Access to mine: All weather road, winter roads and ice bridge
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): Husky, ConocoPhillips and MGM have signed Access and Benefit Agreements with the Sahtu Land and Water Board. These agreements do not cover social responsibilities of companies to communities.
Impacts of project (anticipated) Positive Negative Oil and gas activity has the potential to Sahtu residents and businesses are not meeting grow and diversify the NWT economy. If company requirements for employment and goods developed properly, it would provide and services opportunities. employment, training opportunities for Concern that oil and gas exploration will place local workers, and better infrastructure stresses onto existing regional infrastructure – to support the industry. Has the including accommodation, supply outlets and service potential to replace diamond mining as providers used up by an influx of seasonal workers. an economic driver of the NWT. Concerns regarding the boom and bust nature of the One model calculated that a $16.4 oil and gas sector bringing further volatility to the million exploration program in the Sahtu region’s economy, and that actual employment region would cause a $7.4 million rise in impacts of exploration will be much smaller than GDP, a $5.4 million increase in labour claimed, based on other experiences. income, and create 67 FTE jobs. Seasonal work would affect families. A number of environmental concerns arise from the chosen technique of hydraulic fracturing (fracking): groundwater contamination from below-ground activities, wastewater management and disposal, chemical additives and fuel handling, well blowouts, extremely high volumes of water usage, land consumption, air emissions, and induced earthquakes. Several project water sources are important fish harvesting areas.
Relevant Links Government of the Northwest Territories, “Sahtu Oil and Gas Development Update”
Government of the Northwest Territories, “Sahtu (Profile)”
Wohlberg, Meagan (2015), “Study estimates 200 billion barrels of shale oil below NWT”, Northern Journal.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 4
SAHTU OIL & GAS EXPLORATION SUMMARY
Strong, Walter (2014), “Barriers block Sahtu exploration”, Northern News Services.
CBC News (2014), Sahtu oil needs $100 price to get to market: analyst.
Tait, Carrie and Jeffrey Jones (2014), “Energy giants see Arctic riches”, Globe Advisor.
Sahtu Land and Water Board, “Oil and Gas Activity Map Series”.
North of 56 (2014), “Sahtu oil and gas potential”
CBC News (2013), “Sahtu board approves fracking exploration project”
Sahtu Renewable Resources Board (2013), “ConocoPhillips Project – Comments and Recommendations”
Government of the Northwest Territories (2012), Sahtu Oil and Gas Exploration Needs Assessment.
Government of the Northwest Territories (2012), “Sahtu Exploration Readiness Session”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2004), “NWT Plain Facts On Land and Self-government: Sahtu Dene & Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (1993), Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: MGM (pre-assessment): http://reviewboard.ca/re gistry/project_detail.php?project_id=670&doc_stage=2
List of relevant research:
Alternatives North (2016), “Economic Futures in the Sahtu Region: A Discussion Paper on Building a Balanced Economy”.
Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, “Traditional Economy Research”
National Energy Board, Government of the Northwest Territories, Northwest Territories Geological Survey (2015), “Energy Briefing Note: An Assessment of the Unconventional Petroleum Resources of the Bluefish Shale and the Canol Shale in the Northwest Territories”
Smart, Miles (2014), “A View into the Sahtu: Land Claims and Resources Development”, M.A. Thesis, Concordia University.
DPRA Canada Inc. (2013), “Resource Exploration in the Sahtu Settlement Area: Opportunities and Challenges”, Prepared for the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Kaalo-Stantec Limited (2013), “Canol Shale Play: Possible Outcomes of Early Stage Unconventional Reesource Exploration”.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 4
SAHTU OIL & GAS EXPLORATION SUMMARY
Wright, Laura and Jerry White (2012), “Developing Oil and Gas Resources On or Near Indigenous Lands in Canada: An Overview of Laws, Treaties, Regulations and Agreements”. The International Indigenous Policy Journal, 3(2): 1-18.
Bergner, Keith and Mariana Storoni (2007), “A Regulatory Roadmap: Successfully Navigating Oil and Gas Licensing Regimes in the North”, Lawson Lundell L.L.P.
Erland & Associates (2002), “Oil and gas approvals in the Northwest Territories - Sahtu Settlement Area : a guide to regulatory approval processes for oil and natural gas exploration and production on Sahtu lands and Crown lands in the Sahtu Settlement Area of the Northwest Territories”, Prepared for Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Wellbeing and the Impacts of Resource Development
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 4 of 4
SALMITA MINE SUMMARY
SALMITA Mine
Description of the mine The Salmita Mine was a gold producer located in the Courageous Lake region of the Northwest Territories. The deposit was first discovered in 1945 and underground exploration was carried out in 1951-1952. It was reactivated for exploration by Giant Yellowknife Mines Limited in 1975 and entered production in 1983. The mine produced 179,906 troy ounces (5596 kg) of gold from the milling of 238,177 tons of ore. It used the old camp and milling plant of the abandoned Tundra Mine, located a few kilometres to the south. Salmita ceased operations in 1987 when the orebody was mined out. The site was remediated by Royal Oak in 1990. New claims were staked in the area by Seabridge Gold Incorporated and exploration of the area is ongoing as of 2008.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: Courageous Lake region at the northeast end of Matthews Lake, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: underground gold mine Owner(s): Giant Yellowknife Mines Limited (1975-1976, 1981-1987), Salmita Consolidated Mines Limited (1951-1953) Time of operation: From July 1983 to June 1987
Average number of employees: 90 employees, unknown amount of contractors Estimated size of ore body: 300,000 tonnes Average production value: 0.73 ounces per tonne gold Local employment figures: unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: Year-round Nearby communities: Wekweti, NWT (143 km, 89 miles) Reliance, NWT (183 km, 114 miles) Access to mine: by plane onto airstrip or floatplane onto Thompson Lake, winter road.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 2
SALMITA MINE SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Salmita Gold Mine personnel participated Processed tailings from the site were deposited into in the 1986 NWT Mine Rescue Russell Lake (tailings pond). The water in the pond Competition. has elevated levels of aluminum, arsenic, Mine site’s gravel runway continues to chromium, manganese, copper, iron and lead and is accommodate aircraft, usually for mineral believed to be the source of contamination exploration in the area or for refueling. downstream. A productive mine that brought economic benefits and employment to the area.
Relevant Links Explore North (2006), “Contaminated Sites in the North”
Reid, Robert (2005), “Evaporation Calculations at the Salmita-Tundra Mine Site, 1993 to 2004”, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
List of relevant research: Kanik, B. and J. Villamere, (1983) “Giant Yellowknife Mines Ltd. Salmita Mine Project Environmental Baseline Data Report”, Prepared by Hatfield Consultants Ltd.
Lebel, P. (1984). “Salmita Mines efficiency an example to small producers”, Canadian Mining Journal, 105(10), 11-13.
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Silke, Ryan (2012), “High-Grade Tales: Stories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
Smith, Geoffrey (1987), “Fish Population and Habitat Assessment – Salmita Mine Site, NWT”, NWT Research Database: Aurora Research Institute.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 2
SNAP LAKE MINE SUMMARY
SNAP LAKE Mine
Description of the mine Snap Lake mine is located 220 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife on the shore of Snap Lake in the Northwest Territories. It is Canada’s only completely underground diamond mine with its ore body comprising a dyke that dips under the lake. It is unlike most diamond bearing kimberlite deposits, which are known as ‘pipes’ due to their conical shape. The mine has faced challenged profit margins since its earliest days of development. On December 4, 2015, De Beers announced that due to a drop in the market price of diamonds and a costly groundwater storage problem they would stop production at the Snap Lake mine, putting it into “care and maintenance” state so that it could be re- opened at a later date if so desired.
Photographs/Videos Photo: Snap Lake Diamond Mine. Wikipedia. Page last modified on Dec. 9, 2015.
Two loaders work outside the ore processing and recovery plant
.
General Information Location: Snap Lake shore, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: underground diamond extracting mine Owner: De Beers Group of Companies Date opened: July 2008 Estimated mine life: Until 2028
Average number of employees: 776 workers Estimated size of ore body: 18.3 million tonnes Estimated production value: 1.4 million carats Local employment figures: 35% of workforce is made up of locals Percentage of Indigenous employees: 17% (2014)
Mining activities conducted: year-round
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
SNAP LAKE MINE SUMMARY
Nearby communities: Reliance (130 km/81 miles) Lutsel’ke (133 km/83 miles) Access to mine: By airplane and by ice road that is available for 6-8 weeks a year.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): Yes, De Beers Canada has signed IBA’s with: Yellowknife Dene First Nation (November 2005); Tlicho Government (March 2006); North Slave Métis Alliance (August 2006); and, Lutsel K’e and Kache Dene First Nation (April 2007). *All IBA’s are now on hold until Gahcho Kue operations begin*
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative 69% ($1.5 billion) of total expenditure on As a result of recent closure, 434 employees laid construction and operation in 2014 paid to off, 100 of them Northerners. (120 will be NWT-based contractors and suppliers, 38% transferred to Gahcho Kue project, to open in to Aboriginal businesses or joint ventures. 2016) $100,000 investment focused on creating Likely the closure will have a large impact on jobs and new skills for Deninu Kué First local GDP, especially when factors such as the Nation Members. use of local businesses and industry services Post-secondary scholarship program and (transport/food/etc.) are considered. summer student employment program. Environment impacts could be large because of $1.8 million Corporate Social Investment the ore body’s location under Snap Lake. Water program to support community-based quality and marine life may be compromised as initiatives volume of total dissolved solids in Snap Lake is Hiring priority given to NWT Aboriginal above acceptable levels. This could become an population issue in downstream lakes as well.
Relevant Links CBC News (Dec, 2015), “N.W.T’s Snap Lake diamond mine halts operation, De Beers says”
CBC News (March, 2015), “Snap Lake mine could close if dissolved solid limit not raised: De Beers”
De Beers 2014 Snap Lake Mine Socio-Economic Report
De Beers 2012 Snap Lake Mine Environmental Agreement Report
Snap Lake Mine Environmental Monitoring Agency (SLEMA) SLEMA January 2016 Environmental Update SLEMA 2014-2015 Annual Report
Government of Northwest Territories (2003), “Technical Report: Proposed De Beers Snap Lake Diamond Project”, Submission to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
SNAP LAKE MINE SUMMARY
Vivian, Gary (Dec. 2015), “Thank you De Beers, for doing the unthinkable” The Northern Miner
Anselmi, Elaine (Dec. 2015), “Snap Decision: What’s the Impact of the Mine Closure?” Edge North
Mackenzie Valley Review Board: De Beers Canada Inc. – Snap Lake Water License Amendment
Chaim Even Zohar (2003) “Snap Lake’s Rough Questions”, IDEX.
Link to Environmental Impact Statement / Review Board Decision: http://reviewboard.ca/upload/project_document/EA01- 004_Report_of_Environmental_Assessment_and_Reasons_for_Decisions_on_the_De_Beers_Snap_Lake _Diamond_Project.pdf
List of relevant research: Government of the Northwest Territories (2009), Communities and Diamonds: Socio Economic Impacts in the Communities of Behchoko, Gameti, Whati, Wekweeti, Detah, N'dilo, Lutselk'e, and Yellowknife. 2008 Annual Report of the Government of the Northwest Territories under the BHP Billiton, Diavik and De Beers Socio-Economic Agreements.
Patricia Fitzpatrick, A. John Sinclair and Bruce Mitchell (2006), “Environmental Impact Assessment Under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act: Deliberative Democracy in Canada’s North?”, Environmental Management, 42(1): 1-18.
Lindsay Galbraith, Ben Bradshaw & Murray B. Rutherford (2007), “Towards a new supraregulatory approach to environmental assessment in Northern Canada”, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 25(1): 27-41.
O'Faircheallaigh, Ciaran (2007) “Environmental agreements, EIA follow-up and aboriginal participation in environmental management: The Canadian experience”, Environmental Impact Assessment Review 27(4), 319-342.
Training programs: Trades training program (4 in 2014, all Aboriginal) Apprenticeship program (7 in 2014. all Aboriginal) Underground mining training program (4 in 2014, all Aboriginal) 162 courses available to employees in 2014 through training department
Impact Benefit Agreement: http://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/sites/default/files/debeers_agreement_0.pdf
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work Traditional Knowledge on the Impacts of Diamond Mining on Caribou and Communities in the Western Arctic Project Leader: Kelsey Jansen, Master’s Candidate in Community Risk and Resilience at the University of Alberta
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
THOMPSON-LUNDMARK MINE SUMMARY
THOMPSON-LUNDMARK Mine
Description of the mine The Thompson-Lundmark Mine is located at Thompson Lake, northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Gold was discovered here at the tail end of the original gold rush at Yellowknife in 1938 by Fred W. Thompson and Roy Lundmark; they staked 46 claims that were incorporated into the mine. The Thompson-Lundmark company was handicapped by a lack of funds, but a deal with Cominco Limited guaranteed the needed money to put the gold mine into production. Underground and shaft work began in 1939. The mine saw six years of production between 1941 and 1949, with an interruption between 1943 and 1947 during the Second World War. The mine processed 133,989 tons of ore to produce 70,339 troy ounces (2188 kg) of gold and 13,782 troy ounces (429 kg) of silver over its lifespan. It closed in 1949 due to the company’s low cash reserves and depletion of known ore. According to the NWT Geoscience Office, only three of the seven mineralized veins discovered on the property were ever mined. The main veins, the Fraser and Kim, were considered at the time to have been mined out of known economic reserves, while a third rich vein, Treasure Island, was hardly mined before the shutdown. The abandoned site was destroyed by forest fires in 1998. In the fall of 2012, Perlis Enterprise Inc. purchased the entire mine site.
Photographs/Videos Historical images of the Thompson-Lundmark Mine (and other historical mines), are available at the NWT Mining Heritage Society webpage: https://www.nwtminingheritage.com/photo-gallery/all General Information Location: Thompson Lake, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: underground gold and silver mine Owner(s): Thompson-Lundmark Gold Mines Limited (1946-1949), Cominco Limited (1940-1943), Thompson-Lundmark Gold Mines Limited (1939-1940) Time of operation: From August 1941-August 1943, August 1947-April 1949.
Average number of employees: 90 workers Estimated size of ore body: 700,000 tonnes Average production value: 0.5 ounces per tonne gold, Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities: Detah, NWT (48 km, 30 miles) Yellowknife, NWT (49 km, 30 miles) Access to mine: winter road from Yellowknife via the Jennejohn Lake route, small float/ski-equipped aircraft onto Thompson Lake.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 2
THOMPSON-LUNDMARK MINE SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Local heritage groups were looking into Site has yet to be remediated. Hydrocarbons preserving the old townsite as a tourist and metals contaminate soil, sediments and attraction before it was demolished in a surface water in the area. The site was left forest fire in 1998. abandoned as it was too expensive to haul Was a productive mine that brought everything away. economic benefits and employment to the area during its lifespan.
Relevant Links Strong, Walter (2014), “Betting on a repeat: Historic Thompson-Lundmark mine picked up for development”, Northern News Services.
Prelis Gold Mines Inc., “Thompson-Lundmark Gold Mine”
List of relevant research:
NWT Geoscience Office, “Detailed Showing Report: Thompson-Lundmark”
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Silke, Ryan (2012), “High-Grade Tales: Stories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
Winch, Susan (2012), “Phase II Environmental Assessments of Six Sites in the Northwest Territories”, NWT Research Database.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 2
TUNDRA MINE SUMMARY
TUNDRA Mine
Description of the mine The Tundra Mine is located in the Courageous Lake region of the Northwest Territories. The region was first prospected by the Territories Exploration Limited group in 1938 when gold showings were noted. After World War II, the area attracted more prospectors. Bulldog Yellowknife Gold Mines Limited was formed in 1948 to undertake an extensive surface exploration program. Rich results paved the way for starting a shaft-sinking program in 1952, but no development was accomplished because of depressed gold markets and other economic problems. Bulldog reformed as Taurcanis Mines Limited in 1956 and the mine was reopened the following year. A six-year development program ensued and gold milling began in 1964 under the banner of Tundra Gold Mines Limited. Economic matters relating to the state of gold on the markets, labor shortages, and increased operational costs took a toll on the feasibility of operations, and the mine was forced to close in early 1968. Total production for the mine over these four years was 104,476 ounces of gold from 187,717 tonnes of ore milled. The mine did not reopen, but most of the buildings on site were used by Giant Yellowknife Mines Limited in the 1980s for gold production at the nearby Salmita Mine. In 1990, Royal Oak Mines Inc. purchased Giant Yellowknife Mines Ltd., which included the Tundra property. Royal Oak filed for bankruptcy in 1999 and the responsibility for the site was transferred to the federal government. The abandoned site was placed under care and maintenance mode until “the remaining closure activities can be completed”, according to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. It underwent some remediation in 2007 during a government-led cleanup, but two companies hired in 2010 to perform further remediation work were unable to complete the contract. The remaining work includes “water treatment, site support, earthworks and various mobilization activities. New claims in the area were staked by Seabridge Gold Incorporated and exploration of the area is ongoing.
Photographs/Videos
General Information Location: Courageous Lake region at the southeast end of Matthews Lake, northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Type of mine and ore: underground gold mine Owner(s): Tundra Gold Mines Limited (1963-1968), Tarcanis Mines Limited (1957-1963), Bulldog Yellowknife Gold Mines Limited (1952-1953) Time of operation: From March 1964 to January 1968
Average number of employees: 110 workers Estimated size of ore body: 300,000 tonnes Average production value: 0.58 ounces per tonnes gold Local employment figures: Unknown Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: year-round Nearby communities:
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
TUNDRA MINE SUMMARY
Wekweti, NWT (143 km, 89 miles) Access to mine: ice road and airstrip
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): No
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Some of the mine’s equipment was sent to Water at the site’s tailings pond has elevated Discovery Mine at its closure. levels of aluminum, arsenic, chromium, The Salmita mine later utilized Tundra’s old manganese, copper, iron and lead and is facilities and reserves. believed to be the source of contamination The camp had a great deal of recreational downstream. A number of other issues found at and family services. the site in 2015 include: unreported fuel spills; Over 100,000 ounce of gold produced, leaky frost fighters; water pumps and bringing employment and economic benefits generators; a drum of gasoline left unsealed; to the region in the 1960’s. multiple opened drums and jerry cans inside the $43 million remediation contract was hazardous waste storage area. The site was granted to Aboriginal firms. abandoned by the companies contracted to Has been cited as an example of how risk complete its remediation in 2015. assessment is used in a remote location for an abandoned mine.
Relevant Links Quenneville, Guy (2015), “Companies walked away from NWT’s Tundra mine with gov’t consent”, CBC News.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2012), “What’s Happening in Areas Subject to On-going Negotiations?”
Seabridge Gold (2012), “Seabridge Discovers High Grade Gold Occurrence at Courageous Lake”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2010), “Tundra Mine Remediation Project: Final Plan “, submitted to Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2010), “The BIG Picture: Contaminated Sites in the NWT 2010”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2010), “Government of Canada Announced Contract for Remediation of Tundra Mine Site to a Joint Venture of Aboriginal Firms”
Ward, Julie (2009), “Tundra Mine Phase 1 Remediation: Lessons Learned”, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (2006), “What’s Happening at Tundra?”
Robinson, Cindy (2005) “A tool for all seasons”, Canadian Mining Journal.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
TUNDRA MINE SUMMARY
List of relevant research: “Final Report on Development of Tundra Mine Construction Monitoring, Long-Term Monitoring, and Status of the Environmental Programs”, Prepared for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada by SENES Consultants Limited, 2010
Reid, Robert (2013), “Water Monitoring at the Tundra Mine Site: 2012 Update”, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
Silke, Ryan (2009), “The Operational History of Mines in the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Geoscience Office.
Silke, Ryan (2012), “High-Grade Tales: S tories from Mining Camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada”, NWT Mining Heritage Society.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
YELLOWKNIFE GOLD PROJECT SUMMARY
YELLOWKNIFE GOLD Project Mine
Description of the mine Tyhee Gold Corp.’s Yellowknife Gold Project (YGP) is located in the South Mackenzie Mining District, in the same Archaen Greestone Belt as the “Con-Giant” deposit. The project area encompasses Ormsby, Bruce Lake, Clan Lake and Nicholas Lake properties. A Feasibility Study completed in 2012 confirmed strong economics utilizing advanced modeled engineering. Recent additions to the resource calculation are expected to support strong future reports as management continues to move toward mine development. The Environmental Assessment (EA) for the YGP is progressing. Tyhee plans to develop a centralized processing operation to facilitate development of all current and future zones. Production estimates consider a 3000 tpd operation with production of 108,000 oz Au per year. Exploration activities have slowed down at the site as the company pursues financing for the project, and progress is approximately a year behind schedule. The main obstacle to development remains commodity prices. No work was conducted on the site in 2015.
Photographs/Videos
Photos: Thyee Gold Corporation Photo Gallery. Yellowknife Gold Property Photos: http://www.tyhee.com/photogallery.htm
General Information Location: Extends 50 to 90 km north of Yellowknife in the South Mackenzie Mining District, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: open pit and underground gold mine Owner: Tyhee Gold Corp Date opened: Unknown Estimated mine life: 15 years
Average number of employees: Up to 220 people per year Estimated size of ore body: 20.43 million tonnes of ore Estimated production value: 2.03 grams per tonne gold Local employment figures: Estimated 50% Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: will be year-round Nearby communities: Yellowknife, NT (90 km, 57 miles) Detah, NT (97 km, 61 miles) Access to mine: existing airstrip, winter road from Prosperous Lake to Discovery, potential development of an all weather road.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): Not yet
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
YELLOWKNIFE GOLD PROJECT SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Tyhee claims to be engaging with local Environmental concerns regarding water quality residents and regulatory authorities to (potential for acid rock drainage), the ensure the project's proper integration with redefinition of Winter Lake to a tailings facility both nearby communities and the (estimation that 12 million tonnes will be environment. produced), impact of waste rock on permafrost During its 15 year mine life, would bring thaw, as well as air quality, noise, sewage, jobs, infrastructure, and economic stimulus impact on caribous and fish habitat, loss of rare to indigenous peoples and regional plant habitat, etc. communities, the NWT and Canada Yellowknives Dene First Nation want further Old site of Discovery mine, which was the consultation on archaeological assessments and richest gold mine in Canada for a period. the effect of the project on caribou.
Relevant Links Tyhee Gold Corp. “Yellowknife Gold Project: Overview and Location”
Northern News Services (2014), “Tyhee Gold Corp merger in works”
Mining North of Sixty (2013), “Going for Gold – Tyhee Gold Corp.’s vision for the Yellowknife Gold Project”
Canadian Mining Journal (2012), “Corporate Social Responsibility: Tyhee releases CSR report for Yellowknife gold project”
Tyhee Gold Corp. (2011), “Developer’s Assessment Report: Community Engagement Plan”
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) (2008), “INAC Comments on Scoping Submission for Yellowknife Gold Project Environmental Assessment”
Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (2008), “Final Scoping Session Meeting Report for the Environmental Assessment of Tyhee NWT Corp’s Yellowknife Gold Project”
Link to Environmental Impact Statement: http://reviewboard.ca/registry/project_detail.php?project_id=71&doc_stage=5
List of relevant research: Hanson, Emma Grace (2013), “Geochemical studies of gold mineralizing events in the Discovery-Ormsby and Clan Lake areas of the Yellowknife Greenstone Belt, Northwest Territories, Canada”, University of Missouri-Columbia.
Northwest Territories Geoscience Office (2016), “2015 NWT Mineral Exploration Overview”
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
YELLOWKNIFE GOLD PROJECT SUMMARY
Srk Consulting (2012), “Yellowknife Gold Project Feasibility Study: Yellowknife Gold Project”, Prepared for Tyhee Gold Corp.
Vivan, Gary. (2012), “The Northwest Territories: The land of the midnight sun”, Engineering and Mining Journal, 213(11): 83-99.
Review Board Decision: Environmental Canada referred the project to environmental assessment citing a concern that the development may have the potential to adverse impact the environment. Environmental assessment process is currently adjourned.
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3
YELLOWKNIFE CITY GOLD PROJECT SUMMARY
YELLOWKNIFE CITY GOLD Project Mine
Description of the mine The Yellowknife City Gold Project is located on the Northbelt gold property, acquired by TerraX in 2013. It encompasses 95 kilometres of contiguous land within the prolific Yellowknife Gold Belt, formerly used by the Giant and Con gold mines. The project area encompasses numerous properties including: Goodwin, Ryan Lake, Walsh Lake, and U-Breccia. Being located near Yellowknife, the project will be able to utilize existing infrastructure including transportation, hydroelectric power, skilled trades people, and service providers. Extensive prospecting and structuring mapping programs have identified multiple shear systems that host high-grade gold prospects but have seen limited historic drilling. Drilling programs began in 2014 and are ongoing.
Photographs/Videos
(YouTube Video) TerraX Minerals – Yellowknife City Gold Project. Published on March 5, 2015 by GeoComp. (3:39 min): TerraX Minerals Inc. (TSX.V: TXR; OTC Pink: TRXXF; Frankfurt: TX0) has received assay results from the first three holes drilled in the 2015 winter drill program on the Yellowknife City Gold Project (“YCG”) in the Northwest Territories. These holes are step out holes drilled to test further down dip from gold
General Information Location: 17 km from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Type of mine and ore: open pit and underground gold mine (exploration stage). Owner: TerraX Minerals Inc. Date opened: Estimated 2026 Estimated mine life: 15 years
Average number of employees: 12 currently Estimated size of ore body: Unknown – 13 km strike length Estimated production value: Grade of 16 g/t AU Local employment figures: Predicted 60% Percentage of Indigenous employees: Unknown
Mining activities conducted: will be year-round Nearby communities: Yellowknife, NWT (17 km, 11 miles) Dettah, NWT (12 km, 7 miles) Access to mine: all season road from Yellowknife, also ice road.
Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA): None yet
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 1 of 3
YELLOWKNIFE CITY GOLD PROJECT SUMMARY
Impacts of Mine Positive Negative Yellowknife residents have mostly offered Environmental concerns due to the legacy of Giant their support to a project that would Mine. Mining operations there created a massive provide jobs and stability to the city. environmental liability left to the federal and Successful production would translate into territorial governments to sort out, namely the royalties and tax revenue for NWT. high levels of toxic arsenic trioxide pollution Educational benefits: Dettah prospecting dangerously close to downtown Yellowknife and students have taken field classes the the ecosystem of Yellowknife bay. It is expected project site, organized in part by TerraX. the clean up will cost taxpayers more than $1 The course was open to the public and billion. over-subscribed. Concerns about the project causing land and water traffic congestion and impacting existing cabins on the Northbelt.
Relevant Links News/North Magazine (2015), “Feature: Mining 2015”.
TerraX Minerals Inc. (2015), “TerraX Begins Drilling on Yellowknife City Gold Project” List of relevant research:
Preston, Gwen (2015), “Site Visit Notes: TerraX Minerals in Yellowknife”
TerraX Minerals Inc. (2015), “Yellowknife City Gold Project”
Quennevill, Guy and Herb Mathisen (2014), “Mineral Pursuit, Northwest Territories”, Up Here Business.
Strong, Walter (2014), “Company aims for second gold boom”.
TerraX Minerals Inc. (2014a), “Yellowknife City Gold Project: Exploration Plan”
TerraX Minerals Inc. (2014b), “Yellowknife City Gold Project: Wildlife Management & Mitigation Plan”.
TerraX Minerals Inc. (2014c), “Summary of TerraX Public Meeting in Yellowknife Jan 2014”, submitted to Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.
CBC News (2013), “Company hopes to usher in new era of Yellowknife gold mining”
TerraX Minerals Inc. (2012), “Yellowknife City Gold Project: Forward Looking Engagement Plan”.
List of relevant research: Northwest Territories Geoscience Office (2016), “2015 NWT Mineral Exploration Overview”
Jamieson, Heather (2014), “The Legacy of Arsenic Contamination from Mining and Processing Refractory Gold Ore at the Giant Mine, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada”, Reviews in Mineralogy & Geochemistry 79: 533-551.
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 2 of 3
YELLOWKNIFE CITY GOLD PROJECT SUMMARY
Review Board Decision: Has been issued a Type A Land Use Permit by Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board. http://www.mvlwb.ca/Boards/mv/Registry/2014/MV2014C0005/MV2014C0005%20- %20TerraX%20Minerals%20Inc%20%20- %20Type%20A%20Land%20Use%20Permit%20Issuance%20Letter%20with%20conditions%20-%20Mar7- 14.pdf
Training programs: Prospector training course
Reports from Subprojects and Theme Coordinator work: Environmental Legacies, Resource Development, and Remediation in the Arctic (Project Lead: John Sandlos)
Well-Being and the Impacts of Resource Development (Project Leader Brenda Parlee)
ReSDA Atlas March 2016 Page 3 of 3