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July 2013 Environmental Update for SLEMA Board

July 2013 Environmental Update for SLEMA Board. Zhong Liu July 31, 2013. Outline. Mine Update Inspection Update Regulators’ Update Aboriginal Update Stakeholders’ Update SLEMA Reviews. Acronyms.

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July 2013 Environmental Update for SLEMA Board

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  1. July 2013 Environmental Update for SLEMA Board Zhong Liu July 31, 2013

  2. Outline • Mine Update • Inspection Update • Regulators’ Update • Aboriginal Update • Stakeholders’ Update • SLEMA Reviews

  3. Acronyms • AANDC – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (previous INAC – India and Northern Affairs Canada) • AEMP – Aquatic Effects Monitoring Program • ARD – Acid Rock Drainage • DFO – Fisheries and Oceans Canada • EC – Environment Canada • ENR – Department of Environment and Natural Resources, GNWT • GNWT – Government of the Northwest Territories • MVLWB – Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board • PK – Processed Kimberlite • SLEMA – Snap Lake Environmental Monitoring Agency • SNP – Surveillance Network Program • TDS – Total Dissolved Solids • WEMP – Wildlife Effects Monitoring Program • WTP – Water Treatment Plant • WMP – Water Management Pond

  4. 1.1 Mine Update – June 2013 • Production rate: 92.6% of its capacity (87,490 tonnes of kimberlite processed) • 4,040 m3 of water withdrawn from Snap Lake • 1,122,168 m3 of treated water discharged into Snap Lake • 75,440 tonnes of coarse reject and 60,794 m3 of slimes deposited in the North Pile • 2 surface spills (0 reportable) • Water sampled in 13 monitoring stations • The monthly average for all parameters met compliance • There were no exceedances observed for SNP stations 02-17B nor 02-16i for the month ofJune. Exceedances were seen for aluminum and copper at a number of surface runoff sites(SNP 02-04.1, SNP 02-05, and SNP 02-06) as well, surface runoff sites SNP 02-09.4 and SNP02-09.5 experienced exceedances in ammonia

  5. 1.2 Spill Reporting in July 2013

  6. 1.3 Air Quality, Meteorological Monitoring, and Emission Reporting 2012 Annual Report • Submitted on July 8, 2013 • Required by Water Licence and Environmental Agreement

  7. 1.4 Installation of a Second Permanent Diffuser • Dated July 13, 2013 • The current main diffuser and outfall is capable of discharging 35,000 m3/day, but underground mine flows are increasing and current volumes are approaching 37,000 m3/day • A Second Permanent Diffuser is required to allow for responsible handling of the increased inflows and to properly discharge the treated effluent • Identical to previously installed diffuser • Plume Characterization Study proposed for the summer of 2014

  8. 1.5 Interim Mine Closure and Reclamation Plan • Submitted on July 22, 2013 • Version 3.2 • The ICRP is considered to be a “living” document which will undergo several further major revisions over the mine life

  9. 1.6 Test Drilling in the West Cell • Dated July 29, 2013 • De Beers plans to carry out geotechnical test drilling and pit program within the footprint of the proposed West Cell to determine the bedrock competence and plan the extension of the grout curtain from the East to West cells • Estimated commencement is 3 September 2013 • Timeline from commencement of the geotecknical studies to the availability of the West Cell to receive processed kimberlite is approximately 3 years

  10. 1.7 Revised Chapters 6 and 7 of the AEMP • Chapters 6 and 7 of the AEMP revised on July 31, 2013 • Chapter 6 (AEMP Response Framework) and • Chapter 7 (Weight of Evidence Integration)

  11. 2. Inspection Update • AANDC Inspector – Patrick Kramers • No inspection reports received in July 2013

  12. 2.1 Issues with May 2013 SNP Monthly Report • The Inspector identified 6 issues (reporting, lab analysis, and exceedances) with May 2013 SNP Monthly Report on July 5 • De Beers responded in a timely manner and communicated with the Inspector via follow-up e-mails

  13. 3. Regulators’ Update – MVLWB • Updated Water Licence MV2011L2-0004 on July 18, 2013 • To reflect approved changes to the AEMP Design Plan • Requested stakeholders’ comments on De Beers request on the Installation of a Second Permanent Diffuser, on July 25 • Due on August 13 • Requested stakeholders’ comments on De Beers Interim Mine Closure and Reclamation Plan, on July 31 • Due on August 30

  14. 3.1 Monthly Average Limit for Chloride • MVLWB staff sent an e-mail to De Beers on June 4, 2013 • “it was brought to my attention that the average monthly limit for chloride reported in the April 2013 SNP report is 303 mg/L (or close to that). The WL monthly EQC for chloride is 310 mg/L. In looking at the trend line(also provided in the SNP report pg 38) it appears as though the chloride numbers seem to increase around mid February. Could there be an operational reason for this increase?” • “I wanted to bring this to your attention so you can comment on what De Beers is doing to ensure that the average annual monthly limit is not exceeded?”

  15. De Beers Responses • Date June 11, 2013 via e-mail • “The increase in TDS is based on where we are mining. Traditionally with Canadian shield rock the deeper that you mine, the higher the TDS values in the connate water, so you are right it is operationally based.” • “In terms of ensuring that the limit is not exceeded we are watching our sampling closely, collecting water from various faces as we progress and looking at Chloride kick back thresholds to be installed similarly to those for nitrates in the WTP. In terms of long term management this will be the basis for our water license amendment and the TDS response plan.”

  16. 3.2 Phase IV Starter Cell Embankment Raise • The MVLWB, on July 18, 2013, reviewed De Beers request on modification for the Phase IV Raise, but unable to consider it as a modification, because the proposed maximum elevation is higher than what was scoped in the MVEIRB’s Environmental Assessment of the Project • In order to proceed with the proposed Phase IV Raise, De Beers must submit an amendment application for the Board's consideration. The amendment application will be subject to preliminary screening • Additional information regarding this direction is available athttp://www.mvlwb.ca/Boards/mv/Registry/2011/MV2011L2-0004/MV2011L2-0004%20-%20DeBeers%20-%20Phase%20IV%20Starter%20Cell%20Embankment%20Raise%20-%20Amendment%20Application%20required%20-%20Jul18-13.pdf

  17. 4. Aboriginal Update • No comments received from Aboriginal groups in July 2013

  18. 5. Stakeholders’ Update • Comments on De Beers request on the Installation of a Second Permanent Diffuser byDFO on July 29, 2013

  19. 5.1 DFO Comments on De Beers Request on the Second Diffuser • DFO has concluded that De Beers proposal is not likely to result in impacts to fish and fish habitat • De Beers will not need to obtain a formal approval from DFO in order to proceed with the proposal

  20. 6. SLEMA Reviews • Quarterly Toxicity Results for SNP 02-17B

  21. 6.1 Quarterly Toxicity Results for SNP 02-17B • Submitted on July 31, 2013 • Water Treatment Plant (WTP) effluent samples taken on June 18, 25 and 30 were tested • By HydroQual Laboratories Ltd. (Calgary) during June and July 2013 • Standard biological test methods used • 9 analysis reports for each samples submitted • 1 Algae test – inhibitory effects did not occur • 2 Ceriodaphnia tests – no effect occurred • 3 Trout tests – no effect occurred • 3 Daphania tests – no effect occurred

  22. Comments from the Environmental Analyst No concerns are raised

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