Budget 2012 Invests $765,000 for Continued Remediation of Former Mine Sites

To continue a program of regular tailings dam safety reviews and maintenance at former mine sites in the province, Budget 2012: People and Prosperity will provide $765,000 to help mitigate potential environmental and safety issues associated with orphaned and abandoned mines.

“Funding will support ongoing repair and maintenance work, and continue efforts to secure former mine sites in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Natural Resources. “Work will help mitigate any potential risks in the interest of environmental safety by ensuring the integrity of tailings pond dams in the province, and will protect our natural environment.”

In 2011, $510,000 was provided to assess and remediate tailings dams associated with three mine sites, which included the former Consolidated Rambler copper mine near Baie Verte; the former Whalesback copper mine near Springdale; and the former Gullbridge copper mine near South Brook.

“Legislation requires that all current mining operations have plans and finances in place to ensure that when a mine closes, environmental and safety hazards are mitigated,” said Minister Kennedy. “This investment builds on the province’s work to ensure proper maintenance, and avoid potential environmental and safety concerns at former mine sites in the province.”

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Media contact:
Heather Maclean
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca 

2012 05 01                              10:35 a.m.