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MONTAGUE GOLD MINES, N.S. \u2014 The site of a former gold mine that operated approximately 100 years ago will be remediated with help from $33.4 million from the federal and provincial governments.<\/p>\n
According to a release, an environmental site assessment confirmed the soil at Montague Mines, which was mined for gold from 1865 to 1940, is contaminated with mercury and arsenic.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s mostly in an area about 363 acres in size where mine tailings were disposed. The goal of the project is to return the land and wetlands to a productive habitat similar to what it was before mining activities.<\/p>\n
The cleanup will include excavating contaminated soils to a depth of two metres and placing the soil in impermeable containment cells that will be constructed onsite.<\/p>\n
The estimated volume of material expected to be contained within the cells is 120,000 m3, the release adds. A treatment system will also be required to collect and treat any leachate from the constructed containment cells. Clean backfill will replace removed soil.<\/p>\n
A low-permeability cover will be placed on areas with lower levels of contamination to keep precipitation from creating contaminated runoff. These areas will also be covered with clean backfill.<\/p>\n
The federal government is investing $15 million through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Nova Scotia is investing $18.48 million.<\/p>\n
Since 1991, provincial legislation requires mining companies to provide funds for reclamation before mining begins to cover full reclamation costs. This ensures sites can be effectively reclaimed even if a company defaults, preventing an abandoned or contaminated site, the release adds.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n