2014 Annual Metal Leaching / Acid Rock Drainage Field School
Monday August 25, 2014 - Friday August 29, 2014
TBD - Smithers, BC
*** This course is now full. If you would like to be put on the waiting list please contact mlard@bvcentre.ca.
The objective of the Field School is to increase the understanding of ML/ARD by showing participants the prediction and mitigation tools, providing an overview of the underlying science and vocabulary, and describing the design requirements and challenges. During the course, participants will hear from a number of leading practitioners and will learn about ML/ARD from the industry, regulatory and public perspective. At each of the mine sites we visit, participants will see examples that illustrate the evolution in ML/ARD thinking and practices.
Much of the course involves touring mines in Northwest BC; GoldCorp’s Equity Silver Mine, Imperial’s Huckleberry Mine, Glencore's Bell Mine and Silver Standard’s Duthie Mine. These mines are world leaders and their experience has been the basis for much of industry-wide best practices. Bell was the first British Columbia mine to conduct a comprehensive ML/ARD prediction program as part of its closure plan, and is a great site to discuss changes in drainage chemistry over time and the properties of different mine components. Equity Silver uses subaqueous disposal, soil covers and drainage treatment to prevent off-site impacts and has the world’s best long-term monitoring record for ML/ARD mitigation. Huckleberry was the first mine to make comprehensive ARD prediction and prevention an integral part of the pre-mine plan and continues that work throughout the mine life. The Duthie Mine operated in the 1920 and 1950s and illustrates many of the challenges in remediating a historic mine.
Who should take the course?
The course is recommended to industry, regulating agencies, consulting companies, First Nations and community groups and is designed for anyone involved with ML/ARD. The knowledge provided can be used to better design and manage ML/ARD programs, ask the right questions at the right time, review results, regulate mines, conduct research, evaluate risks and help staff that does this work.
Instructors:
- Dr. Bill Price is the primary instructor and course organizer. Bill is author of the Guidelines for Metal Leaching and Acid Rock Drainage at Mine Sites in British Columbia (Price and Errington, 1998) and Prediction Manual of Drainage Chemistry from Sulphidic Geologic Materials (Price, 2009); documents used extensively in Canada and world-wide. Bill will contribute generic technical ML/ARD information, a regulatory perspective and site-specific knowledge of the mines.
- Mike Aziz leads the Equity Silver tour. Mike is the Equity site manager but also manages closure at a number of other mines. He has published widely on the many different aspects of Equity’s ML/ARD mitigation program.
- Marke Wong leads the tour of the Huckleberry Mine. Marke is environmental manager at the site and has worked on a wide range of mine reclamation and environmental protection issues.
- Dr. Kevin Morin will lead the tour of the Bell Mine. One of Canada’s foremost experts on ML/ARD, Kevin has worked as a consultant for many major mines and mining companies and has published widely on ML/ARD, including a compendium of case studies and the ground breaking prediction program at the Bell Mine.
- Glenda Ferris is a world famous environmental activist, who has received several awards for her work. Glenda lives directly downstream of the Equity Mine and will present a community perspective on the challenge of ML/ARD.
Course information:
Dates: August 25th to 29th, 2014
Location: Smithers, BC, Canada
Venue: TBD
Cost: $1700.00 per person
Mine tours (subject to availability):
• Bell Mine
• Huckleberry Mine
• Equity Mine
• Duthie Mine
Departure times for the mine tours will be announced on the first day of the course. Transportation to the mine sites will be provided.
Register today:
Seats are strictly limited, offered on a first come-first serve basis with payment.
For more information contact:
Bulkley Valley Research Centre
3883 3rd Avenue, Box 4274
Smithers, BC, Canada, V0J 2N0
Phone: 250-847-2827
E-mail: mlard@bvcentre.ca
Website: www.bvcentre.ca
This course is held in collaboration with Northwest Community College, Smithers campus.
