|
Reclamation
 At
Kinross Gold we manage mine site reclamation with the same
diligence and accountability we bring to financial performance
and health and safety issues. We recognize that mining and
mineral processing, by their very nature, create environmental
change. We seek to identify and implement scientifically proven,
time-tested reclamation measures to minimize impact on natural
resources. Healthy, sustainable restoration of the land is a
cornerstone of Kinross’ commitment to prudent and responsible
stewardship of our environment.
To manage this commitment,
Kinross has formed the Reclamation Operations Business Unit with
its own dedicated engineering & environmental staff, resources,
and corporate structure to aggressively address our restoration
obligations at sites where mining and processing have finished.
Since 2000, Kinross has
conducted more than US$50 million in reclamation and closure
activities associated with these residual properties. Additional
reclamation is carried out at active sites such as Ft. Knox,
Round Mountain, and Kettle River Operations. Highlights of our
team’s reclamation experience include:
-
Reclamation awards at
DeLamar, Sleeper, Hayden Hill, QR, and Manhattan (Round
Mountain);
-
Several properties have
been advanced to post-closure status (Wind Mountain,
Candelaria, Hayden Hill, QR, Manhattan);
-
Establishment of a viable
pit lakes at Sleeper, Manhattan, Kettle River, and Haile;
-
Closure of heap leach pads
at Wind Mountain, Candelaria, Manhattan, Sleeper, Haile, and
Hayden Hill;
-
Closure of tailings
impoundments at Sleeper, QR, Manhattan and Hayden Hill;
-
Backfill/closure of mine
pits at Hayden Hill, Haile, QR, and DeLamar;
-
Closure of underground
mines at Kettle River, Mineral Hill, and Sunnyside;
-
Removal of processing
facilities at DeLamar, Hayden Hill, Candelaria, Wind
Mountain, Sunnyside and Manhattan.
Kinross
is committed to address its restoration obligations even at
sites where other companies have expressed an interest in
obtaining ownership of the property. In three such cases,
Kinross has advanced critical reclamation and closure activities
to the point that the facilities are in a stable, post-closure
monitoring & maintenance mode prior to completion of the
business transaction (Candelaria, QR, Sleeper).
Kinross’ reclamation group has
developed a significant experience base in closure and
reclamation techniques, including dry covers, wet covers,
synthetic covers, in-situ pit lake treatment, passive biological
systems for management of residual drainage (SRBs), land
application, infiltration, erosion control, tailings
consolidation, and other techniques.
Kinross also recognizes the
importance of transparency in developing final closure plans.
Kinross was the first company in Nevada to submit a proposal for
NEPA analysis involving post-closure infiltration of residual
heap drainage. Through the environmental assessment process and
public comment period, Kinross and the lead agencies were able
to identify all of the site-specific issues that are entailed in
such proposals, and address these issues in a way that minimizes
the risk to the environment. This approach has been upheld in
subsequent appeals by mine watch groups, which have been
rejected on their lack of merits by the Interior Board of Land
Appeals (IBLA).
Kinross’ reclamation activities are
described in more detail in the following PDF documents:
|
