Featured Project
Lorado Former Uranium Mill Remediation, Water Treatment and Tailings Cover
Location
Uranium City, SK
Key Services
- Chemical Injection
- Water Treatment
- Mine Reclamation and Tailings Management
Description
Milestone in a Joint Venture with PBN Nuna Contracting was awarded a contract to supply labour, materials, tools, equipment and incidentals for a former uranium mill in the vicinity of Uranium City in Northern Saskatchewan. The Lorado Former Uranium Mill Remediation, Water Treatment and Tailings Cover project was a complex remediation given the volume of tailings material produced during the mine’s operational history. The objective of the project was to install an earthen cover system over existing tailings and supply and operation of a water treatment system.
Key Challenges
- Operating in a highly remote location accessible only via ice road, barge or fixed wing aircraft
- Managing technical complexities at the site, including radiation-related considerations
Key Solutions
- To tackle the logistical challenges of the remote site on the northern edge of Lake Athabasca in northern Saskatchewan, a comprehensive strategy was developed for the transportation of all equipment, materials, and supplies. These resources were transported from a staging area located in Stony Rapids, SK, utilizing ice roads, barges, or fixed-wing aircraft.
- Close collaboration and engagement were established with local Athabasca Basin personnel and businesses, encompassing the hiring of local talent, acquisition of equipment, and procurement of necessary supplies.
- Rigorous site orientation and radiation protection training programs were implemented for all personnel involved in the project.
- The project involved the remediation of an approximately 18-hectare tailings area, adhering to strict design specifications. Additionally, ten contaminated satellite sites in the vicinity were remediated, which included the treatment of a local lake to achieve a neutral pH condition.
Project Scope
The project involves an earthen cover system over existing tailings and supply and operation of a water treatment system including, but not limited to:
- Mobilization/Demobilization via ice road, air transport and lake barge equipment, material, and labour to the site.
- Site Plant and Office setup.
- Site surveying.
- Borrow area development.
- Tailings Grading and ditching.
- Loading, transporting and placement of Till Cover system.
- Loading, transporting and placement of Sand Cover system.
- Sort, load, transport, and place rip rap protection.
- Setup and Operation of Water Treatment Equipment and Materials involving the application of 400 tonnes of lime in the form of a 10% Lime solution (Calcium Hydroxide) to Nero Lake to neutralize the lake and stop the formation of precipitates.
- Implementation and execution of environmental and health and safety controls.
- Reconstruction of roadway.
- Peripheral Area cleanup; and,
- Site Restoration.
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Head Office
Langley, BC
Regional Office Locations
Ottawa, ON
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