Ontario – Toronto GTA – Georgetown
Corporation
www.minnow-environmental.com
Ontario
Toronto GTA
Georgetown
Corporation
active
BASELINE STUDIES
Minnow scientists have conducted baseline studies in support of
greenfield development, expansions, decommissioning and closure
planning. Descriptions of representative projects that were
managed by our staff are provided below: Pipeline Crossing (Minera Alumbrera, Argentina). Baseline
conditions were evaluated at the location of various stream
crossings of a concentrate pipeline along a 200-km route.
Water, sediment, benthic invertebrates and fish were evaluated.
The field program was also used as an opportunity to train mine
staff in sample collection methods.
Mine Closure (East Kemptville Tin Mine, Yarmouth, NS). The
study involved the design and implementation of a field program
to characterize the conditions in the downstream environment
since closure and included water and sediment chemistry,
sediment toxicity, benthic and fish community assessment. The
findings of the study were documented in an Environmental
Baseline Report and presented to the DFO, Environment Canada,
provincial and representatives of a local public monitoring
committee.
New Mine (Noranda, Half Mile Lakes, NB). Environmental
implications associated with developing a base metal mine site
in Northern New Brunswick was evaluated as part of the overall
feasibility assessment. A study was undertaken to characterize
the baseline condition of the aquatic and terrestrial
environments and to assess impacts associated with mine
development.
Concentrate Handling Facility (Noranda, Belledune, NB). Water,
soils and air were sampled as part of an impact assessment of a
proposed concentrate handling facility. The project required
presentations in Fredericton to the DOE. An Environmental
Impact Report was prepared, the project was approved, and a
Certificate of Approval issued.
New Mines (Kinross Gold Corporation, Timmins, ON). The existing
water quality monitoring program was modified to improve
baseline information for properties that will potentially be
developed, thus allowing for greater flexibility in future
decision-making.
REGULATORY APPROVALS, PERMITS AND AUTHORIZATIONS
Our knowledge of the rules, the technical issues, and our
credibility with regulators benefits clients by minimizing the
schedule delays and costs that often accompany regulatory
approval processes. Examples of projects managed by Minnow
scientists are listed below.
Fisheries Act Authorization (FAA) for Mine Site Decommissioning
and Watercourse Diversion (Billiton Base Metals, formerly Rio
Algom Limited, Elliot Lake, ON). The mine Decommissioning Plan
was conducted under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
(CEAA) with the CNSC (formerly AECB) and DFO as joint
responsible authorities. The project involved removal of dams in
a 10-lake watercourse diversion system and an FAA was required
based on concerns about potential habitat loss. Minnow staff
reasoned that system productivity after dam removal would be
equal to or greater than prior to dam removal. The process was
successfully modified to allow removal of dams over a 10-year
period without triggering CEAA for each removal.
C-of-A Amendment for Operating Mine (Agrium Phosphate Mine,
Kapuskasing, ON). A study was designed and implemented to assess
the effects of mine effluent discharges and associated
phosphorus loadings on the Lost River system. The project
involved water and sediment sampling, benthic invertebrate
community and fish assessments, preparation of an interpretive
report, and extensive negotiations with MOE at the district,
regional and branch offices.
Environmental Assessment (EA) for Hydroelectric Facility
(McGarth Energy, NS). The project included adherence to federal
Fisheries Act and Provincial Environmental Assessment (EA)
regulatory processes. Consequently, the project involved
development and implementation of a comprehensive public
consultation and communication program to meet federal and
provincial legislative requirements. Hydrology and limnology of
an upstream lake were key issues in this project.
C-of-A Amendments at Co-Generation Facility (Tractebel€™s West
Windsor Power Plant, ON). The project ranged from the initial
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment through to the completion
of supporting environmental studies, including regulatory and
public consultation activities, overseeing the completion of
each respective permit application, conducting the detailed
financing and associated due diligence reviews, preparation of C-
of-A amendments to reflect modifications during construction and
Equipment Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor support.
Fisheries Act Authorization and Compensation for River Diversion
(Agrium Phosphate Mine, Kapuskasing, ON). A study was designed
and implemented to assess the pre- and post-diversion productive
capacity of a 1500 metre section of river to be diverted for an
open pit expansion. Productivity was determined through the
evaluation of fish and benthic macroinvertebrate communities,
aquatic habitat and sediment quality. An interpretive report
was submitted to DFO in fulfillment of the FAA.
Studies and Stakeholder Consultation to Support Development of
Co-Generation Facility (Tractebel Inc.€™s proposed facility at a
pulp and paper mill in Thunder Bay, ON). The scope of the
project included a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and
compilation of an air inventory to meet the air permitting
requirements associated with facility development. Additional
responsibilities included development and implementation of a
comprehensive public consultation program and extensive
regulatory agency (i.e., local MOE and OMNR representatives)
liaison.
Studies to Secure World Bank Funding (Confidential Mine in South
America). An environmental study was completed that showed low
dissolved oxygen, not elevated metal concentrations, was
responsible for impacts downstream of a South American mining
operation. An assimilative capacity model was developed to
optimize BOD treatment. Identification and resolution of the
cause of observed biological impacts downstream of the site
resulted in approval of continued funding.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS MONITORING (EEM)
Minnow scientists are intimately familiar with the requirements
of the federal EEM programs under the Fisheries Act as a result
of: preparing Environment Canada€™s technical guidance manual for
conducting pulp and paper EEMs;
participation in various EEM technical working groups for pulp
and paper and mining EEMs;
participation in EEM studies at 25 pulp and paper mills in Cycle
1 and 2;
presenting a summary of 25 First Cycle EEM study results at
Ontario and Maritime pulp and paper industry association
meetings;
managing EEM studies at numerous pulp and paper mills, including
Thunder Bay ON, Dryden ON, Espanola ON, Marathon ON, Sault Ste.
Marie ON, Dalhousie NB, and East River NS;
managing a multi-mine, watershed-wide EEM study associated with
closed mines in Elliot Lake ON; and
designing and managing EEMs at mines in Williams Lake BC,
Kapuskasing ON and Argentina South America.
We are particularly proud of the quality of our EEM work.
Projects managed by Minnow scientists have been well received by
our clients and their stakeholders (shareholders and general
public). In addition, our contribution to individual EEM
projects and our participation in national workshops and
seminars has provided us with an excellent reputation with
industry and regulators across Canada. Our knowledge of the
rules, the technical issues, and our credibility with regulators
minimizes the time and effort associated with study design
approval. Our study reports are clear, concise and technically
sound.
MONITORING DESIGN AND GUIDELINE DEVELOPMENT
The expertise and experience of Minnow scientists are sought by
both private sector and government clients to design monitoring
programs, develop assessment methods, derive generic and site-
specific environmental criteria, and develop technical guidance
documents. Past project experiences of our staff are briefly
described below.
Streamlining Aquatic Monitoring Requirements (Rio Algom Limited
and Denison Mines Limited, Elliot Lake, ON). Monitoring
requirements asso
Russel Cynthia
Stecko Pierre
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