Aimee Fitzgerald SCGIS Conference 2016

Through GIS it is possible to monitor:

Water and air quality

Terrestrial and aquatic environments

Archeological sites

MMER – Metal Mining Effluent Regulations

Government document outlining environmental regulations to be followed by mining companies

River/Stream water gauging stations monitor: Runoff/Seasonal high and low flows Chemical composition

▪ Total/dissolved metals, cyanide, sulphate, etc.

pH

Source: USGS. Gauging Station. 2016. Understanding the Interaction between Groundwater and the New Fork and Green Rivers. [http://wy-mt.water.usgs.gov/projects/GW_streamgaging/index.html]

Satellite imagery aids in pinpointing streamflow station locations

Gauging stations are

situated adjacent to Hughes and Keewatin rivers

Source: Stantec/Alamos Gold Inc. Streamflow stations in and around Surface Hydrology Regional Assessment Area. 1:1700000. Lynn Lake Joint Venture Environmental Baseline Studies. 2015.

Source: Stantec/Alamos Gold Inc. MacLellan Aquatic and Fisheries Historical Monitoring Sites. 1:140000. Lynn Lake Joint Venture Environmental Baseline Studies. 2015.

Surface water flows are determined and mapped to ensure proper placement of sample sites

Sediment baseline studies are

also conducted, detecting such things as; Ammonia Phosphate Metal composition

Air surrounding mine sites tested for particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, etc.

Particulate matter

contains both organic and inorganic compounds, including: Smoke Soot Dust Pollen

Source (Top Right): Energy and Environment Cabinet: Department for Environmental Protection. Typical Air Monitoring Shelter. Division for Air Quality: Air Monitoring Methods. 2016. [http://air.ky.gov/Pages/AirMonitoringMethods.aspx] Source (Bottom Right): Energy and Environment Cabinet: Department for Environmental Protection. Continuous Monitors and Data Acquisition System. Division for Air Quality: Air Monitoring Methods. 2016. [http://air.ky.gov/Pages/AirMonitoringMethods.aspx]

Particulate Matter (Above) Air Monitoring Shelter (Top Right) Air Quality Monitoring System (Bottom Right)

Source: Stantec/Alamos Gold Inc. MacLellan Proposed Aquatic Monitoring Sites. 1:140000. Lynn Lake Joint Venture Environmental Baseline Studies. 2015.

Mammal cameras amongst other applications are used to monitor animal habitats

Aquatic animals undergo

tissue studies to identify contaminants present in waterways

Brown Bear, May 31 2015 (Top Right) Moose, June 20 2015 (Bottom Right) Wolverine, April 23 2015 (Above)

Equipment and buildings removed

Building foundations are excavated, crushed and deposited into waste dumps

Harmful waste rock deposits are relocated to waste pit

• Area from which waste rock is removed is reseeded

Oil and other toxic chemical waste are removed from site

Roads leading into site are revegetated

Basin-like structures that are designed to contain mine waste

Tailings ponds are covered in water to prevent chemical exposure to the air/environment

Ponds can also be lined to prevent toxins leaching into groundwater, etc.

Source: Perfectal. Tailings Management Image. Tailings Management. 2012. [http://perfectal.ca/tailings-management/]

Tailings Pond in Utah (Left) Detour Gold Tailings Pond (Below)

Source (Below): Detour Gold. Tailings Management. Safety and Our Environment :Waste Management. 2014. [http://sustainability.detourgold.com/sustainability/safety-and-our-environment/waste-management/default.aspx] Source (Left): Canadian Mining Journal. Tailings Pond in Rural Utah. A look at ways of controlling tailings to avoid future liability. 2015. [http://www.canadianminingjournal.com/features/a-look-at-ways-of-controlling-tailings-to-avoid-future-liability/]

‘Tailings are the most significant long term liability created by

mining projects’ – Ontario Nature (Mining in Ontario)

Before image obtained by NASA JULY 29, 2014

After image obtained by NASA AUGUST 5, 2014

Source (Before): NASA: Earth Observatory. Mount Polley: Before. July 29 2014. [http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=84202#] Source (After): NASA: Earth Observatory. Mount Polley: After. August 5 2014. [http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=84202#]

More than 80 years of silver mining has lead to arsenic contamination in water ways

Arsenic concentrations in the area range from 0.004ppm to 17.8ppm

Canadian Water Quality Guidelines specify concentration of 0.005 ppm to ensure aquatic life remains protected

Source: Cobalt Mining Legacy. Average Arsenic Concentrations in Water Samples Collected in the Farr Creek Drainage Basin, 1991 to 1997. 2009. [http://www.cobaltmininglegacy.ca/waterPollution.php]

Located in Northern Manitoba, Canada

Town was originally founded due to

copper mining Mineral exploration continues in the

area Lynn Lake is home to 674 individuals

and 295 private dwellings

Source (Logo): Lynn Lake. Lynn Lake Logo. 2016. [http://lynnlake.ca/?page_id=211] Source (Left): Lynn Lake. Aerial Photograph of Lynn Lake. 2016. [http://lynnlake.ca/?lsvrgallery=aerial-photos-of-the-town-of-lynn-lake]

Lynn Lake lacks clean, drinkable tap water

Metallic particles are

present in drinking water samples

Causes include poor

filtration and tailings contamination

In 2014 value of Canadian mineral production was $44.7 billion

Royalties and taxes from 2003-2012 equalled $71 billion

Mineral producers and governments have the potential to reinvest earnings into monitoring human health and well-being

THANK YOU

Any questions?