MUSSELWHITE

SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental Initiatives | Community Development | Economic Contribution

Environmental Initiatives

In 2005 Musselwhite completed a ground water assessment and developed a computerized model of ground water activity adjacent to the tailings impoundment.  In early 2006, an extensive field program was carried out to determine the accuracy of the model. The field program confirmed the reliability of the model and detected the early signs of seepage from the tailings facility.  Musselwhite is now investigating and implementing short and long term solutions to the seepage, with input from the local communities, specialists and regulators. Further studies are planned for 2007.

Musselwhite mine has been exploring closure options for the tailings storage area.  It believes that, after sulphur removal, a dry cover over the deposited tailings would significantly reduce the potential environmental challenges associated with the tailings storage in the future.  Various dry cover systems are being evaluated in the field through construction and monitoring of re-vegetation test plots.

Musselwhite Wetland Discharge

Community Development

Communication and engagement of the local communities is an important component of Musselwhite’s commitment to social responsibility. The Environmental Working Group is a public liaison committee composed of a cross section of diverse interests from local communities.  Through this committee the mine is able to report its progress, receive feedback and hear concerns directly from local citizens. Musselwhite also tries to engage these groups in the development of local projects that will benefit the area over the long-term and beyond the mine life.

In 2006 relations with First Nations communities continued to improve and several new projects were introduced, including partnerships for upgrading environmental flume equipment and the opening of a new retail store. A Cultural Diversity Awareness Program was also developed and offered to all employees

In partnership with the First Nations, Musselwhite will continue to monitor the benefits of the Musselwhite Agreement through the various committees established under the Agreement.

Musselwhite will continue to use goods and services from the First Nations as well as to inform First Nations of other business opportunities that can be offered by the mine.

The Environmental Working Committee was mandated to communicate mine related activities and their environmental significance and resolve community concerns in relation to environmental management at the mine.

The Musselwhite Working Committee monitors socio-economic concerns, such as employee training, business opportunities, job opportunities, and other general issues of concern for parties associated with the Agreement.

The Musselwhite Implementation Review Committee is empowered to monitor the progress on the implementation of various components of the Agreement. Concerns not properly resolved by the other two committees are brought forward to this committee.

Regular meetings are scheduled either within the communities or at Musselwhite mine throughout the year except for the Musselwhite Implementation Review Committee meeting.

Economic Contribution

Significant economic benefits to local communities include wages for local residents employed at the mine, taxes (municipal, provincial, and federal), donations and the local purchase of goods and services.

Annual Opening Ceremony to bless the
treated mine water prior to release
to the natural environment. 

 2007 Musselwhite Mine Sustainability Report