News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

Natural Resources
October 16, 2009

Buchans Tailings Pond Dam Closed Until Further Notice

Based on the advice of an external consultant, the Provincial Government is taking immediate action to lower water levels in one of the former Buchans mine tailings pond to mitigate the risk of dam failure.

�Preliminary results from the Buchans dam safety review being conducted for the Provincial Government by SNC Lavalin indicates serious concerns over the integrity of Tailings Pond 1,� said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources. �We are acting immediately on the consultant�s recommendation to lower the water levels in the tailings pond and shut off public access to the dam.�

The department is working with area companies and individuals, including hunters and domestic wood cutters, in regards to the implications of these actions on their regular operations and activities and what, if any, mitigative measures can be taken.

�Our first priority is the safety of those who use the dam for access across the tailings pond and any impact on commercial operations in the town,� said Minister Dunderdale. �Until a full assessment can be completed and repairs undertaken, we are taking the appropriate action by preventing access across the dam and lowering the water level, as is being recommended to us.�

SNC Lavalin was contracted several weeks ago to conduct the dam safety review. The preliminary results were verbally presented to the department today. The water level in the dam will be lowered to approximately one metre below the crest of the dam and culverts installed to temporarily maintain this lower water level. This will help mitigate the risk of dam failure as a result of its current condition.

The department is in the process of arranging to get the pumps in place to begin lowering the water level as soon as possible.

- 30 -

Media contact:
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca

2009 10 16                                     4:15 p.m.

 


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement