Natural Resources
October 16, 2009Buchans 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.
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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.