MV2007L8-0031 An Update on Monitoring Activities for the Giant Mine Remediation Project Working Group Meeting July 9, 2015 1
What is the purpose of the GMRP Baseline Investigations and Monitoring Activities? • To contribute to the Long Term Environmental Monitoring Program, which will consist of all monitoring activities at Giant Mine • Components are: – regulatory requirements; – non-regulatory (due diligence) requirements; – commitments made; and – monitoring to address public input or concern. 2
Program Objectives • Over the longer term, these activities will help to inform: – the planning process for remediation activities; – predicting how the ecosystem will respond to remediation activities; and – the identification of scientific data gaps that need to be filled in order to advance the planning and implementation of remediation activities. • As well, these components are, in part, designed to fulfill project regulatory requirements. 3
Regulatory Monitoring “Programs” 1. Surveillance Network Program (SNP)/Operational Monitoring Program (OMP) 2. Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER) including Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) 3. Aquatic Effects Monitoring Program (AEMP) – will be developed as part of the preparation for the Water Licence (planning only this year) 4. Wildlife Management Program (WMP) – will be developed as part of the preparation for the Water Licence (planning only this year) 4
Other Monitoring Components • Air quality monitoring program (AQMP) • Due diligence (non-regulatory) monitoring – terrestrial & aquatic ecosystems • Freeze Program – to be determined • Cumulative effects – will be developed as part of the preparation for the Water Licence 5
Surveillance Network Program (SNP) Objectives • Surface water monitoring to confirm effluent discharge volume, quality and treatment performance • Currently being completed under former Water Licence requirements that will need to be revised when the new treatment plant and treated effluent discharge pipe are constructed (the outfall location will be selected via engagement initiatives) 6
SNP/MMER Sample Points 7
Operational Monitoring Program (OMP) Objectives • Various, non-regulatory monitoring requirements being performed by the Care & Maintenance contractor • Program includes surface water (ponds sumps) and effluent treatment plant (ETP) performance and formerly included other tasks including shallow and deep groundwater wells • Portions of the OMP will continue and/or morph as the project moves out of C&M 8
OMP Surface Water Sample Points 9
SNP/OMP Results for 2014/2015 • Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) operated for 65 days between June 12 & September 25, 2014 (suspended for 32 days from August 9-September 9 due to low water levels). – Total effluent discharged: 228,004 m3 – 22.9% less than 2013/2014 due to dry conditions • Former Water Licence requirements met – Effluent discharged to Baker Creek contained total Arsenic concentrations between 0.240 mg/L and 0.405 mg/L (average of 0.311 mg/L). – The applicable criteria are 0.500 mg/L. 10
Metal Mining Effluent Regulation (MMER) & Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) • MMER/EEM: Weekly and monthly surface water monitoring to ensure effluent discharge quality for specific metals and toxicity • This program is completed annually to fulfill regulatory requirements under the Fisheries Act, MMER/EEM 11
MMER Surface Water Sample Points 12
MMER/EEM Results for 2014/2015 • Sampling took place three times only due to short discharge period: July 15, August 18 and September 22, 2014 • Treated effluent was not acutely toxic • Survival of test organisms not affected by treated effluent • Sub lethal toxic effects related to survival and/or reproduction observed in two species in the August 18 sample • Concentrations of applicable parameters were below criteria for all sampling events • Results are consistent with those from previous years 13
MMER/EEM Plan for 2015/2016 • In consultation with Environment Canada, Phase 5 of the EEM program will be designed for implementation in 2016/2017 • The details of the scope of the EEM Phase 5 have not been developed yet but currently looking at two main options, one of which, a Periodic Monitoring – Surveillance Study is preferred by GMRP 14
Baseline Work in Aquatic Environments • The characterization of the baseline aquatic environment at the site is nearing completion – required in order to establish a starting point for the remediation project to which progress can be compared • A data gap analysis is currently being completed in order to determine whether or not additional baseline work in the aquatic environment is required 15
Baseline Work in Aquatic Environments • Completed and presented in 2013/2014 : 1. Yellowknife Bay Baseline Aquatics Study 2. Yellowknife Bay and Lower Martin Lake Fish Collection and Tissue Analysis Study 3. Lower Martin Lake and Upper Baker Creek Baseline Aquatics and Sediment Studies 4. Yellowknife Bay Hydrodynamic Modelling Study 16
Baseline Work in Aquatic Environments Completed in 2014/2015 1. Foreshore Tailings Area Underwater Aquatic Habitat Survey 2. Baker Creek Outlet Ecological Assessment & Comparative Hydrodynamic Modelling 3. Baker Creek Outlet Sediment & Pore Water Characterization (underway; completion in July/August 2015) 4. Metal Concentrations in Sediments and Surface Waters adjacent to N’Dilo and Dettah in Yellowknife Bay (follow-up program to be completed in 2015/2016) 5. Baseline Aquatics & Fisheries Studies in Gar Lake, Trapper Lake, Upper Shot Lake and Lower Shot Lake (for the Baker Creek north diversion evaluation in response to Measure 11 from MVEIRB on the Report of EA) 6. Upper Baker Creek Sediment & Surface Water Characterization Study 7. Site Runoff & Storm Event Surface Water Quality Sampling Program – There are also other non GMRP-funded ongoing and completed projects 17
Foreshore Tailings Area (FTA) Underwater Aquatic Habitat Survey Objectives/Scope/Findings • Aquatic habitat survey involved an underwater video survey of the FTA to describe and characterize the aquatic habitat present. • The underwater survey was completed over three days in October 2014 using an underwater drop camera to collect colour video footage of substrate in the study area. • Little viable fisheries habitat or utilization noted during survey. 18
FTA Underwater Aquatic Habitat Survey 19
Baker Creek Outlet (BCO) Ecological Assessment & Comparative Hydrodynamic Modelling • Comparative hydrodynamic modelling was undertaken to assess the potential ecological effects of diverting the Baker Creek outlet area—In other words, how will re- routing Baker affect the creek mouth from a hydrodynamic perspective? • The ecological importance of the outlet area to the ongoing productivity of Yellowknife Bay was also assessed.
BCO Ecological Assessment & Comparative Hydrodynamic Modelling 21
BCO Ecological Assessment & Comparative Hydrodynamic Modelling Results for 2014/2015 • An analysis of six scenarios was developed for the creek mouth. • The focus was on developing each option to mitigate potential weaknesses or threats, and opportunities to enhance local habitat and fish productivity. • A summary of results is difficult to present, however, if water levels decrease or become intermittent, ecological and hydrological integrity of BCO will be affected. 22
Baker Creek Outlet (BCO) Sediment & Pore Water Characterization Objectives • Study designed to address data gaps in the understanding of Arsenic in the BCO – Potential sediment toxicity and how it relates to the aquatic environment – Arsenic mobility within the sediment and between the sediment surface and the water column, and potential effects on aquatic organisms – Estimate of the volume of contaminated sediments present in the BCO • Report due mid 2015—stay tuned. 23
Upper Baker Creek (UBC) Sediment & Surface Water Characterization Objectives • Address data gaps in the understanding of Arsenic concentrations in UBC • Use multiple lines of evidence (LOEs) to assess the distribution and chemical signature of arsenic-contaminated sediments, particularly to determine whether sediments from LML and UBC are affected by natural or anthropogenic (originating from human activity) sources. 24
Upper Baker Creek (UBC) Sediment & Surface Water Characterization 25
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