Candelaria

In 2002, Kinross transferred ownership of Candelaria Mine, located in Mineral County Nevada, to Silver Standard Resources. Prior to completion of the business transaction, Kinross completed reclamation and closure activities at the site. This facility was essentially in post-closure monitoring status at the time the transaction was completed.

Prompt restoration of areas affected by mining ensures that the land is restored to other productive uses as quickly and completely as possible. At the Candelaria Mine in east central Nevada the climate is very arid (average annual precipitation is under five inches) and the natural background level of salt in the soil is high. Consequently, special attention was given to developing effective revegetation methods.

The 200-acre Waste Depository #6 was constructed over several years and completed in 1997. The site was then recontoured. Boulder piles were added to create small-animal habitat zones. The site was then seeded by air. Finally it was possible to import several hundred cattle and introduce grazing. Reclamation workers dispersed hay in stages around the site—and the cattle followed. This accomplished the dual objective of spreading organic matter in the form of manure and unconsumed hay and forming favorable micro-growth conditions within the hoof prints. The results have been excellent. Many regulators and operators from other arid regions have come to study the site. Waste Depository #6 is an example of how reclaimed lands are often more productive than native range.