The Project: Next Steps
Introduction
There are many stages in the planning process (some completed, some on-going) that will result in a comprehensive closure plan for the Faro Mine Complex. Each stage is essential in reaching the final goal of the process: implementing an approved closure plan.
Once the regulatory and environmental and socio-economic assessments are complete and the project receives final approval, the major construction phase is expected to take about 15 years to complete. Ensuring jobs and business opportunities for affected Yukon First Nations and Yukoners is one of the key objectives of the project. The construction phase will be followed by an adaptation phase of approximately 20-25 years in which all of the the various on-site solutions including soil covers, structures, collection and treatment systems will be tested, monitored and improved as required.
The Faro Mine Complex will require active maintenance for many years after the major construction phase is complete. Monitoring and maintenance of engineered soil covers and structures, as well as collection and treatment of contaminated water, will continue for a very long time, providing jobs for Yukoners as active stewards of the land for generations to come.
The major stages in the process are outlined below in very broad terms; each major stage contains numerous steps.
Project Status
Technical Understanding of the Site Issues
Completed, February 2006
Over 100 technical studies were completed in order to gain a full understanding of the many complex technical issues associated with historic mining activities at the site. This created a level of technical understanding sufficient to develop a range of example closure alternatives.
Develop Range of Example Closure Alternatives
Completed, April 2006
Once sufficient technical understanding was reached, a range of possible closure alternatives for the components of the site were developed. The example closure alternatives were not an exhaustive list of all the remediation options, but rather signified the possible range of options available.
Peer Review of Example Alternatives
Completed, March 2007
An independent panel of experts in all aspects of mine remediation was assembled and evaluated the proposed range of closure alternatives.
Select Recommended Closure Plan
Completed, November 2008
Reaching consensus on a preferred option and recommending a closure plan for the Faro Mine Complex has been a lengthy process. A wide range of stakeholders were provided with detailed information about the closure options and it took time to assess them against the overall objectives of the project.
CompletePhase I - Present information on the range of example alternatives.
Including performance, and cost and employment profiles.
CompletePhase II - Carry out assessment of the five closure options
Using a multi-attribute analysis approach, assessed how each option performed against the project's objectives, and stakeholder values. Included several rounds of community consultation.
CompletePhase III - Provide project Oversight Committee with results of assessment process
Project Oversight Committee considered the results of the assessment process, and used them to help inform an agreed upon recommended closure plan.
Design of Closure and Remediation Plan
Ongoing
Meetings in the local communities will begin in February 2009 to gather additional input around environmental and socio-economic issues and develop a detailed project proposal.
Peer Review of Closure and Remediation Plan
Ongoing
Once the project proposal has been completed, it will be reviewed by an independent technical panel.
Regulatory Approval Processes
Pending
Once the project proposal has been completed, it will be submitted into the Regulatory Approval Processes. It is anticipated to take two to three years to obtain the required regulatory approvals and permits.
On This Page...
Introduction
Project Status
- Technical Understanding of the Site Issues
- Develop Range of Example Closure Alternatives
- Peer Review of Example Alternatives
- Select Recommended Closure Plan
- Design of Closure and Remediation Plan
- Peer Review of Closure and Remediation Plan
- Regulatory Approval Process
- Completion of Detailed Engineering Design for Final Closure and Remediation Plan
- Obtain Funding Approval from Federal Government
- Implement Closure Plan