Britannia Contaminated Sites Investigation Stage I Preliminary Site ...

a frother (Ministry of Mines 1924). It was anticipated that the heavier oils were soon to be
phased out in favour of potassium xanthate in conjunction with the lighter pine-oil (Ministry of
Mines 1924). Subsequent follow-up documentation of the phasing out of the heavier oils has not
been found.
The history of those buildings, structures and equipment associated with potential environmental
concerns is summarized in Table 2 (Untitled map 1915; Plan of Britannia Beach 1916; Fire
Insurance Maps 1923 – rev. 1937, 1945; Domestic Water Supply Map 1926; Britannia Beach
1971 – rev. 1986, untitled undated map). The long history of operations at the Fan Area has also
resulted in the widespread deposition of mine tailings over the area. The locations of historic
buildings, based on the information reviewed, is illustrated on Figure 2. It should be noted that
high concentrations of metals in soil and groundwater have been previously identified in the Fan
Area (Golder 2001).
Table 2
Historical Summary of Buildings, Structures & Equipment Associated with
Potential Environmental Concerns in the Fan Area
Buildings / Structures /
Dates of Operation/Existence
Storage Areas
No. 1 Mill 1905-1915
No. 2 Mill 1915-1921
No. 3 Mill 1923-present (final cessation of operations in mid-1970s)
Powerhouse Operated throughout the life of mill operations. Burned down
in the early 1990s.
Storage Bunkers on the Wharf Utilized for concentrate storage from 1914 until 1922, when
the conveyor was constructed. Continued to exist for many
years thereafter.
Reagent Plant / Precipitation Storage Exact dates unknown, however, was known to be associated
Various Storage Tanks Associated with
Milling Operations (Dorr Tanks,
Settling, Dewatering, Lime Storage)
Britannia Contaminated Site Investigation
Stage I Preliminary Site Investigation
Project No. 50319-001-310 13
with the operation of the No. 3 Mill.
The tanks are presumed to have been associated with both
No. 2 and No. 3 Mills. While locations are documented, exact
dates are unknown.
Transformers / Substations Existed at various locations throughout the life of mill
operations.
Ore Bins From 1916 onward throughout the duration of mill activities.
Compressor Plants Associated with No. 1 Mill (a 25 drill compressor plant) and a
later plant associated with No. 2 Mill.
Foundry Constructed in 1929 and operated until 1958. It was
demolished between 1972 and 1976.
Slug Plant Was associated with the foundry and produced ball mills
briefly prior to their fabrication by the foundry. It was
demolished between 1972 and 1976.
Copper Sulfate Plants Existed throughout the duration of mill operations. An
historical plant, existing until approximately 1937, preceded
the existing second plant.
Lead Plant Associated with No. 3 mill and presumed to operate
throughout the duration of mill activities.
Regrinding Mill Associated with the No. 3 Mill through approximately 1937.
Settling Pond Constructed in 1966 for clarifier overflows and other mill
solutions that were discharged into Howe Sound.
Pozzolon Shed (Formerly a Garage) Originally utilized as a garage, it appears to have been
constructed around 1949 when vehicle use began at Britannia