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Minister announces award of contracts for environmental site assessments Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, announced today the award of two contracts to complete Phase I environmental site assessments at the former Rambler and Baie Verte mines. Davis Engineering and Associates has been awarded the contract valued at $10,920 for the site assessment at the former Rambler tailings. AMEC Earth and Environmental was awarded the contract valued at $14,330 for the site assessment at the former Baie Verte mine site. The award of the contracts follows two separate Request for Proposals which were issued by the department on October 9, 2004. "The Phase I environmental site assessments are just the first step in helping the department determine the extent of the issues at these former mine sites," said Minister Byrne. "While there is a general understanding of the major issues at the sites, we need to get a better sense of all issues and how they could impact the rehabilitation of the sites." Issues at the former Baie Verte site could include: safety concerns at the sites caused by poor conditions of the buildings; stability of the open pit and tailings piles; wastes and debris contained within the waste rock pile; and asbestos. For the former Rambler tailings, issues may include: safety concerns to the public caused by acid water generated by exposed tailings and low grade ore used in construction on the site, and wastes and debris around the site. The final reports are scheduled to be received by March 31, 2005. Paul Shelley, MHA for Baie Verte District, said he is pleased that both contracts have been awarded so that work can begin on the former mine sites. "This first step is an important one towards evaluating these sites and determining areas of concern," said Mr. Shelley. "I look forward to the completion of both assessments." "Once we have the final reports we intend to share these with the public, particularly the residents in the Baie Verte region," said Minister Byrne. "It will be based on these reports that decisions will be made as to how government moves forward to develop rehabilitation plans for these former mine sites to ensure the safety of the people in the area." Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications (709) 729-5282 or (709) 685-4624 2004 12 13 4:15 p.m. |
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