Pierre River Mine Project

EPEA APPROVALS AENV SIRS 90 – 96
Section 15.1
response to SIR 402c and Figure 402-2 do not seem to reflect those opportunities
for reclaiming overburden dumps as they are constructed.
95a Clarify and confirm that no opportunities for reclaiming any areas of overburden
dumps exist prior to 2031 or revise the plan as applicable.
Response 95a No opportunities exist for reclaiming areas of the overburden dumps at the Pierre
River Mine before the end of 2029. As noted in the response to AENV SIR 92,
construction of the first lift of the north overburden dump at the Pierre River
Mine will not be completed until after 2029 because of the diversion of
overburden materials into in-pit dykes between 2018 and 2029. As soon as the
first lift is completed, reclamation on the north overburden dump will begin.
Question No. 96
Request Volume 2, SIR Question 410a, Page 23-27.
Shell indicates that care has been taken to minimize the stockpiled time of
reclamation salvage materials.
96a Given the large extent of disturbance and the fact that any reclamation is delayed
until 2031, justify this statement.
Response 96a Two mechanisms have been considered to minimize the time that reclamation
salvage materials are stockpiled, bearing in mind that permanent reclamation
might not be possible until 13 years after mine operations start in 2018.
• Although permanent reclamation activities might not be available until 2031,
the opportunity to farm salvaged soils, particularly surface soils during
temporary reclamation activities will be considered for any area that might
become available, such as the first lift of the north overburden disposal area.
• Material balances for peat-mineral materials have been calculated for salvage
and stockpiling as close as possible to the time of reclamation, to minimize
the time materials are stockpiled, and to optimize opportunities for direct
placement of peat. All upland soils will be salvaged and direct placed,
stockpiled or farmed.
April 2010 Shell Canada Limited 15-5
CR029