The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
On Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at Creighton Community Hall, HBMS Environmental Department presented to the public their proposed expansion of the tailings impoundment system (TIS). The purpose of the public information meeting was to: Advise local residents and the public of proposed TIS expansion project. Introduce the Saskatchewan environmental approvals process. Present the preliminary results of the environmental impact assessment. Hear and discuss public concerns about the project and gather public feedback for incorporation into the environmental impact statement (EIS). The primary objective and positive environmental impact of the TIS expansion proposed are to: Minimize the potential for tailings dusting events. Step in 400 metres to the north (55 hectares in area) of the tailings facility to further distance the active tailing disposition area from Creighton. Construct water retaining dams to enhance the ability to flood water over areas of exposed tailings. Improve water management in the TIS to continue to meet the provincial operating license and the federal effluent discharge regulations. Provide adequate and safe tailings storage capacity for operation of the HBMS Flin Flon facility for the expected life of mine and beyond. To modify tailings discharge method from end of pipe discharge to multiple discharge (spigotting). HBMS expects to submit the required environmental impact study on the expansion project to the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment Branch within two weeks. The province will conduct a 90-day technical and public review process before deciding on whether to approve the project. If approval is received, HBMS officials hope to start work this summer on the multi-million dollar expansion project, which would ultimately add 63 hectares of land to the tailings area. The tailings pond Ð an area of about 243 hectares Ð serves as a storage site for mill waste material from mined ore calling "tailings." This material is "slurried" and discharged into the tailings pond. Stephen West, Superintendent, Environmental Control, said the expansion is necessary to accommodate safe storage of future tailings production and minimize the potential for future dusting events while enhancing dust control options. The company expects to spend about $5 million on the expansion this year alone, and a total of approximately $16.9 million over the next 12 years. The expansion would would head west toward the road leading to the Creighton landfill.
