Goldcorp plans draining, mine site reclamation – by Ron Grech (Timmins Daily Press – January 31, 2012)

The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper

Timmins council was provided with an outline Monday night of two projects being undertaken over the next couple of months by Goldcorp. The two projects reflect opposite ends of the spectrum for mining operations.

One relates to the planned re-opening of the Hollinger mine site, while the other concerns the reclamation of the old Halnor site.

In preparation for the Hollinger open pit mine, Goldcorp is draining groundwater and letting it flow into Pearl Lake. The lake is already used as a basin for groundwater that is pumped out from the old McIntyre mine workings.

Luc Duval, the city’s director of public works and engineering, said the Hollinger project requires the pumping of more water. It will flow into a creek the crosses under McIntyre Rd. and empties into Pearl Lake.

Coun. Gary Scripnick asked if this deeper source of groundwater would alter the quality or chemistry of the lake.

Duval replied the process would presumably have to meet certain environmental requirements in order to receive the government permits to proceed.

To accommodate the increase in water flow, a larger culvert is being installed under the McIntyre Rd. bridge, at Goldcorp’s expense.

The three-foot diameter corrugated steel culvert that is currently there will be replaced with a 10-foot wide, five-foot high concrete box culvert.

Duval said work is expected to start in three or four weeks.

He said Goldcorp expects to have the work done by mid-April. If the job isn’t completed by then, Duval said the work will have to stop until after the spring runoff. In that event, the work wouldn’t likely be completed until July.

For the rest of this article, please go to the Timmins Daily Press website: http://www.thedailypress.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3454462