Technical Sessions Introduction September 14, 2011
De Beers in Canada Years Milestone 1961 to • Exploration for diamond deposits present 2000 • De Beers acquires Winspear Diamonds and Snap Lake Deposit 2004 • Environmental Agreement for Snap Lake Mine • Snap Lake Mine receives EA approval, licenses and permits to build and operate 2005 • Construction begins at Snap Lake Mine • EA for Victor Mine approved and construction of that mine begins 2008 • Snap Lake and Victor Mines commence operations • Global recession 2009 • Global recession continues • Reduction in production and staffing levels at Snap Lake 2010 • Production ramp-up at Snap Lake and increase in staffing • Initiation of work streams required for renewal of water license 2
Sustainable Development • Purpose: To produce diamonds safely and profitably – without harm to people or the environment – Care and respect for the environment, employees and communities – Benefits: employees, communities, businesses – Effective management systems; continuous improvement – Compliance with legal requirements and De Beers policies and standards 3
Mine Plan Considerations • Mine plan is reviewed annually • Factors affecting mine plan: – Grade – Dilution – Recovery – Cost of production – Diamond prices • Current Life of Mine is 2030 based on 2011 optimization study • Material changes in mine plan will be reflected in future updates to hydro-geological modelling 4
Snap Lake Status – Good News • The mine has not had adverse impacts on Snap Lake based on: The Aquatic Effects Monitoring Program (AEMP) • All measured parameters have been, and are predicted to be, below water quality limits or other thresholds with three possible exceptions – TDS (total dissolved solids), fluoride, manganese 5
Effluent Pipe and Diffuser Replaced Diffuser velocity measured Minimal foreshore disturbance 6
Requested New Water License • Changes requested: – 15 year term of license – Change “project” to “mine” for clarity and consistency – Change of title of Ore Storage, Waste Rock, Processed Kimberlite Management Plan (OSWRPKMP) to North Pile Management Plan – Clarification of “major storm event” to inform monitoring – Combine waste and water management plans into one part of water license (separate subsections) • Fewer documents to be reviewed and submitted annually 7
Requested New Water License (cont’d) Changes requested (cont’d): • Removal of posting security requirement for Starter and East cells – Both securities are currently held • Annual engineer inspection of all waste containment facilities and runoff control structures to be submitted 60 days post inspection 8
Snap Lake Mine – Status and Future Demobilization of temporary camp winter 2012 Sewage Treatment Plant: Being relocated to accommodate new accommodation complex Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Currently De Beers is carrying out TDS toxicity studies to determine an effects threshold: • Phase 1 involved work with chironomids • Phase 2 involves work with zooplankton/plankton • Phase 3 will involve work with fish based on toxicology work conducted at University of Guelph Conditions within the water license can be changed through a Water Board Hearing without a full water license renewal 9
Snap Lake Mine – Status and Future (cont’d) North Pile • Surface distribution system installation is currently on track – Installed and tied into the Starter Cell – Upgraded thickener pumps installed in Process Plant for increased density of PK – Current stand-by PK line will remain in place as back-up • Surface depositional trial commences end of September • Deposition of paste to North Pile targeted to commence in Q1 2012 assuming trial successful • East cell construction occurring in phases as deposition locations are required • North pile capping research in progress 10
Reclamation and Closure ICRP • 2006 – De Beers produced the first Interim Closure and Reclamation Plan (ICRP) for the Snap Lake Mine – Document Approved by the MVLWB • 2011 – The 2006 ICRP was updated and submitted to the MVLWB as part of the WL application; the 2011 ICRP included: – Updated goals and objectives for closure and reclamation – Refined predictions for closure conditions – Updated research program to address uncertainties and concerns – Updated schedule for progressive reclamation of the North Pile – Updated Gantt chart with estimated schedule for closure and reclamation of all mine elements 11
Reclamation and Closure (cont’d) Progressive Reclamation (2011 ICRP) • The North Pile will be progressively reclaimed as follows: • Starter Cell: 2012 – 2014 • East Cell: 2014 – 2019 • West Cell: 2024 – 2029 • 2030 – Final Closure Final Closure and Reclamation Activities • Mine activities will cease in 2029 • The closure and reclamation of the Snap Lake mine will initiate in 2030 with mobilization of equipment on the 2029/2030 winter road 12
Reclamation and Closure (cont’d) Closure of Mine Elements Main Snap Lake Mine Features Process Facilities Crushed Rock/Ore Roadways Solid Waste North Pile Underground Water Mine Management and Surface and Concrete and Airstrip Facilities Structures Infrastructure Facilities Processed Kimberlite Site Roads, Disposal Facility Paste Backfill (PK) within North Pile Culverts and Fresh Water Intake Camp Facilities Rock Quarries Ditches Non-Hazardous Diversion Ditches and Pumphouse Landfarm within Wastes Laydown Area Crusher and Related Airstrip and North Pile area PAG Waste Rock Water Management Facilities Related Facilities Hazardous Wastes Pond (WMP) Process Facilities and Transfer Storage and Magazines Seepage and Sumps Related Infrastructure Crushed Rock/Ore Area Winter Access Pipelines Storage Facilities Road Cover Mine Water Mine Offices, Mine Dry Incinerator and (Collection and and Maintenance Shops Diversion Ditches Concrete Facilities Related Facilities Mobile Removal) and Site Hydrology Equipment General Utilities Building Underground Treatment Plants Workings Underground Heating Mine Water Plant Construction Shops - Sewage Water Warehouses Fresh Water Powder Magazines Fuel Storage Facilities Power Facilities and Related Infrastructure Paste Backfill Facilities 13
Reclamation and Closure (cont’d) Reclamation Research Plans • North Pile • Vegetation of the North Pile Cover • Process Kimberlite (PK) Storage Facility (to assess PK strength parameters) • Dust Control • North Pile Cover • North Pile Cryoconcentration • Seepage (Hydrology) • Monitoring of Temperature • Stability and Deformation • Refinement of Predictions and Assumptions 14
Reclamation and Closure (cont’d) Reclamation Research Plans (cont’d) • Water Management Structures • Mine Water Properties • Seepage from North Pile • Process Facilities and Surface Infrastructure • Refinement of Predictions and Assumptions • Re-vegetation of Disturbed Areas 15
Reclamation and Closure (cont’d) Financial Security (final determination by Board) • De Beers and AANDC have discussed financial security for the Snap Lake mine and have exchanged information • De Beers and AANDC continue to work together towards the development of a financial security estimate that captures the “ total liability associated with permanent closure, including any costs associated with progressive reclamation and temporary closure” (Source: MVLWB 2009 DRAFT Closure and Reclamation Plans – Preparation Guidelines for Mines within the Mackenzie Valley) 16
Reclamation and Closure (cont’d) Annual Mine Reclamation Status Report • De Beers submits the following two documents to the MVLWB on an annual basis: • Annual Report by March 31 (Part B#5 (a) to (v)) • Annual Mine Reclamation Status Report by March 1 (Part I#8) • De Beers recommends the following change: • Inclusion of the Annual Mine Reclamation Status Report into the Annual Report for submission to the MVLWB by March 31 17
Water Quantity Hydrology • EA predicted small increases in the water elevation of Snap Lake over the life of the mine (3.3 to 5.3 cm) • In 2010 water elevation in Snap Lake and other nearby lakes decreased approx 16 cm due to low precipitation and high evaporation • Changes in Snap Lake water elevation are consistent with nearby lakes, primarily influenced by atmospheric conditions – not the mine • Natural variability is greater than EA predictions • Natural variability could potentially affect quantity of fish and/or their food available from shoreline and downstream areas (loss of habitat, temperature changes) 18
Predicted Future Water Quality • Throughout mine life all parameters except TDS, fluoride and manganese 1 are predicted to remain below applicable water license thresholds / benchmarks • Between 2018 (upper bound case) and 2023 (lower bound) TDS predicted to exceed Water License Limit (whole lake average) • Fluoride concentrations will be below the interim CCME water quality guideline by 2016 • Nitrate and ammonia will be lower than predicted by EA – benchmarks have changed since the EA (will be discussed under EQC) • Model will be re-run in 2012/2013 based on new data 1 Manganese was measured not modeled 19
TDS – Modelling Results 20
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