Manitoba's Mineral Resources
GIS Map GalleryOrphaned/Abandoned Mine Site Rehabilitation
| Orphaned or abandoned (O/A) mines are mines for which the owner cannot be found or is financially unable or unwilling to carry out site rehabilitation. Many of these sites were developed decades ago, before environmental impacts were fully understood and modern operating standards were developed. Some of these mines pose environmental, health, safety and economic risks to communities, the mining industry and governments. Orphaned and abandoned mines exist within all mining jurisdictions in Canada. |
Schist Lake, Manitoba, before and after reclamation |
Mine site rehabilitation is a responsible action to close former mine sites by
- identifying and correcting any safety hazards,
- managing the disposal of potential hazardous and toxic substances,
- eliminating contamination in the air and water, and
- returning the land as close as possible to its natural state.
Rehabilitation plans bring significant economic benefits to the area by creating jobs and spin-off benefits. Remediation of mine sites improves the lives of people who live near orphaned or abandoned mines by
- addressing health and safety risks,
- providing a more aesthetically pleasing environment for residents, visitors, and tourists,
- covering tailings to manage wind blown dust,
- encouraging revegetation, and
- bolstering the economic viability of the area.
In 1999, Manitoba adopted mine closure regulations which require that environmental liabilities incurred during mining operations be financially secured to cover future remediation costs. Mine closure plans and financial security must be filed and approved prior to a permit being granted for a new mine operation.
The Mine Closure Regulation is currently undergoing a formal review to ensure that its requirements remain relevant and consistent with government policies and programs.
MR 67/99 - Mine Closure Regulation |
In 2000, Manitoba established the Orphaned/Abandoned Mine Site Rehabilitation Program to address the public safety and environmental health concerns associated with orphaned/abandoned mine sites.
- To date, the Province has spent over $11 million on O/A mine site rehabilitation through Manitoba Conservation's Environmental Health Risk Assessment Program and Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines' Orphaned/Abandoned Mine Site Rehabilitation Program.
► $1 million was allocated by Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines for ongoing capping and closing off open mine shafts, site inspection, environmental monitoring, dyke repair, demolition and cleanup, and preparation of long-term rehabilitation plans.
► $1 million was allocated by Conservation to research and assess the environmental impact of abandoned mines including air and water quality testing; assessments are ongoing at Gods Lake, Baker Patton and Snow Lake for completion in 2007; assessments at Lynn Lake and Sherridon have been completed.
► $4 million was spent by Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines in 2006 for rehabilitation projects at Lynn Lake, Ruttan, Sherridon and Snow Lake including environmental monitoring, dike repair, demolition and cleanup, site revegetation and preparation of long-term rehabilitation plans.
► $5.3 million was spent by Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines in 2007 for rehabilitation projects at Lynn Lake, Sherridon, Gods Lake and 11 sites in the Bissett and West Hawk Lake areas. Rehabilitation projects included the demolition of the Farley mine and headframe complex, starting the demolition of the power line from the Gods Lake mine site to Kutchewan Falls, and continued work at the Lynn Lake and Sherridon sites.
► $19 million allocated by Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines in 2008 for rehabilitation projects in Lynn Lake, Sherridon, Snow Lake, Gods Lake and other sites.
- 149 sites in the province have been identified as O/A, inspected for safety and environmental hazards and scheduled for rehabilitation; rehabilitation work has been undertaken or is ongoing at 5 high-priority sites (Lynn Lake, Sherridon, Gods Lake, Snow Lake and Baker Patton) and other sites, and long-term rehabilitation plans are being developed for all 149 sites.
- In 2006, Manitoba established a provincial environmental liability account for orphaned and abandoned mines in response to the auditor general’s report on contaminated sites. The account, which currently holds $80 million, includes funding for an agreement between the Province and Viridian Inc. to share the rehabilitation cost of the East Tailings Management Area near the town of Lynn Lake.
Manitoba supports the rehabilitation of O/A mines through its programs, partnerships, community involvement and funding initiatives. In addition, the province also participates in the National Orphaned/Abandoned Mines Initiative (NOAMI), a co-operative partnership of the Canadian mining industry, federal/provincial/territorial governments, environmental non-government organizations and First Nations.
Manitoba’s ongoing work on the rehabilitation of O/A mines is consistent with NOAMI objectives to address key priorities and issues including:
- building a national inventory,
- setting standards and rational expectations,
- ownership and liability issues,
- identification of funding models, and
- community involvement.
Manitoba hosted the first NOAMI Workshop in Winnipeg in 2001. Sixty-three participants met to review issues and identify processes for moving forward. Manitoba also hosted the 2006 O/A mines workshop to explore and understand the best, emerging and innovative practices relating to the management of orphaned and abandoned mines. Participants included Provincial, Territorial and Federal Government officials; Communities of interest; Aboriginal peoples; NGOs; Academics; Scientists; and mining industry representatives. For more information, please visit the NOAMI website: National Orphaned/Abandoned Mines Initiative (NOAMI)
On June 4 and 5, 2008, Manitoba will host the MEND Manitoba Workshop, a federal/provincial initiative organized through Natural Resources Canada’s Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) Program and Manitoba’s department of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines.
Acidic drainage is recognized as the largest environmental liability facing the mining industry and, to a lesser extent, the public through abandoned mines. MEND was implemented to develop and apply new technologies to prevent and control acidic drainage.
The workshop will present the challenges in acidic drainage for operating, closed or abandoned mines and develop best practices to ensure that future mine development will not have long-term acidic drainage concerns upon closure.
