080121-08MN006-Sabina Hackett River Project Proposal ... - NIRB

Description of the Existing EnvironmentWet soils can have a jelly-like consistency which shakes with pressure. These soils are poorlydrained and may be found in depressional areas, also under sedge vegetation (Plate 6.1-12).Plate 6.1-12. Typical tussock vegetation overlying jelly-like soils.6.1.9 GroundwaterDeep groundwater exists below the permafrost layer in the area. Based on thermistors installednear Boot Lake, the estimated depth of the bottom of the permafrost at that location isapproximately 500 m below the ground surface. Hence, deep groundwater exists belowapproximately 500 m depth.Actual water quality samples of deep groundwater have not been collected. Salt (calciumchloride) is used in the drilling process to prevent freezing of the equipment while in thepermafrost zone, and this salt would always be present within the drill hole. Flushing of the saltis possible, but the amount of flushing required would be unknown, and there would always bedoubts regarding the salt content of the obtained sample.Because of the technical difficulties associated with attempting to obtain a deep groundwatersample, as well as the uncertainties associated with the contamination of any samples that maybe obtained, no groundwater water quality samples are planned to be collected. For a future draftEnvironmental Impact Statement, real data from other mines in the Northwest Territories andNunavut will be used. In addition, as the Boot Lake underground is developed, real groundwatersamples can be more reliably obtained when the depth of drilling is much less than 500 m.January 2008 Hackett River Project – Project Proposal Sabina Silver CorporationReport Version B.1 6–13 Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #833-2)