Tailings-laced water has been released from a lake in Sherridon, a key step forward in a controversial reclamation project the provincial government hopes to conclude this year.
Dr. Chris Beaumont-Smith, director of the province’s mines branch, says Camp Lake was partially discharged into the much larger Kississing Lake over the course of 10 days ending Monday, June 13.
Camp Lake water levels are now down to the proper elevation, he said, allowing the remainder of the reclamation work to proceed.
Beaumont-Smith said this is all the water that will be released for now, adding that the project ultimately calls for the natural water flow through Camp Lake to be re-established.
Sherlett Creek used to flow into Camp Lake. For the reclamation project, the province isolated Camp Lake by creating a diversionary route for Sherlett Creek.
Beaumont-Smith said the province will look at options to decommission the diversion so Sherlett Creek can again flow into Camp Lake.
The Camp Lake discharge plan had been controversial, with many Sherridon residents worried the water released into Kississing Lake would damage the larger lake. The province, however, said all water released was well within safety standards.
In 2009, the province launched a multimillion-dollar project to remediate decades-old mine waste in Sherridon, a town of about 85 people situated 60 km northeast of Flin Flon.
The project involved relocating the waste, known as tailings, into Camp Lake and submerging it in water. The last of the tailings were moved in 2013.
The province said water from Camp Lake had to be released to ensure it did not overflow the lake control dams, and to allow work to remove material harming the water quality.
The Reminder learned of the discharge on Wednesday and will have further coverage.
