Saskatchewan

Former Gunnar Mining Limited site rehabilitation project proposal

Start date:  June 15, 2007
Type:  Comprehensive study (external link)
CEAR reference number: 07-03-30100 (external link)
Proponent:  Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC)
Location:Gunnar Mine Site, Saskatchewan

Latest Update

• February 2, 2009 – Former Gunnar Mine Site Rehabilitation Project Environmental Assessment to Continue as a Comprehensive Study
• October 27, 2008 - Record of Proceedings - Saskatchewan Research Council - Environmental Assessment Track Report Regarding SRC's Proposed Gunnar Mine Site Rehabilitation Project
• July 11, 2008 – Notice – Public Hearing in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan  – September 17, 2008
• May 14, 2008 - Public meeting on EA process and draft Guideline-Scoping Document in Uranium City, Saskatchewan
• March 28, 2008 - Request for Public Input into the Environmental Assessment

Project Description

The Government of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to address the Cold War Legacy Uranium Mine and Mill Sites in Northern Saskatchewan. This agreement includes the rehabilitation of the former Gunnar mine site.

Under the MOA, Saskatchewan Industry and Resources (SIR) has been assigned the responsibility to ensure that the project is carried out on behalf of the two governments. SIR has signed a contract with the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) to fulfill the role of project manager and designated agent to manage and perform the required environmental assessment requirements and rehabilitation activities.

On April 23, 2007, SRC submitted a project proposal for Gunnar site rehabilitation. The proposal includes the following components:

• Demolition of existing building, facilities and structures;
• Appropriate disposal of materials resulting from demolition;
• Installation of an appropriate cover on all or a portion of the exposed mill tailings;
• Rehabilitation of existing waste rock piles;
• Rehabilitation of additional risk(s) as warranted;
• General site clean-up;
• Re-vegetation of areas of the rehabilitated site as required; and
• Appropriate monitoring during and after rehabilitation.

Before the Commission makes its decision on SRC’s proposal, an environmental assessment must be completed under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of an environmental assessment is to identify the possible environmental effects of a proposed project, and to determine whether these effects can be mitigated before the project is allowed to proceed.

Further Information

For questions or information directly related to the environmental assessment (EA) of the proposed project, or to obtain copies or a list of documents related to the EA, please contact:

Nicole Frigault
Environmental Specialist Officer
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P. O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5S9

Telephone: 1-800-668-5284
Fax: 613-995-5086
Email: EA@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.