Page 7 - Giant Mine Remediation Project

Workers prepare for blasting (Photo Credit - Angela Gzowski)
time positions, as well economic contributions to
the communities in the forms of scholarships. This
partnership will ensure First Nations participate in
upcoming project milestones to maximize socio-
economic benefits for their communities.”
CURRENT PROGRESS
If you were to visit the Giant Mine site today, you
would find freeze pads, the foundation of the
remediation technology.
“We know this project has 237,000 tonnes of
arsenic contained in underground chambers.
The current and best solution is installing
thermosyphons to extract the heat from the ground,
and freezing the arsenic trioxide,” says Plato.
Freeze pads are required to install the
thermosyphons to freeze the arsenic trioxide in
place. To begin construction, the project needs to
first flatten the area, which is done by blasting.
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Engagement is an important and
valued part of the Giant Mine
remediation process.
SUCCESS
What is the benchmark for success? “Reducing
our footprint, having an efficient water treatment
plan for very clean water, and having as much land
around the site is back open for future use,” says
Plato.
“I think everyone’s happy that we’re now in the
remediation process,” says Plato. “It’s been a long
road starting in 2007. I think the local community
is quite happy with the progression of the project
and the inclusion of the stakeholders, including the
social and economic opportunities and how the
project is planning to encourage local Indigenous
businesses.”
www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca