Canada and the Northwest Territories Move Forward With Giant Mine Remediation Plan

News Release

2-2951

YELLOWKNIFE, Northwest Territories (October 19, 2007) The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Floyd Roland, Premier for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) today submitted a water license application to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board in relation to the Giant Mine Remediation Plan.

"The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the health of Canadians and our environment in our north by cleaning up toxic sites" said Minister Strahl. "By remediating Giant Mine, we will ensure that future generations of Northerners continue to enjoy a vibrant community and a healthy environment."
The Remediation Plan outlines the clean-up of the entire mine site, including the long-term containment and underground storage of the 237,000 tonnes of highly toxic arsenic trioxide dust using the Frozen Block Method. It also addresses the demolition of more than 100 buildings on the surface, the backfilling and covering of several open pits, and the covering of 95-hectares of tailings.
Federal funding for the remediation of Giant Mine will be provided under the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan. Additional funds for the remediation project will be provided by the Government of the Northwest Territories under the auspices of a Cooperation Agreement signed between the Government of Canada and the GNWT in 2005.

"The submission of the Remediation Plan is a milestone in our efforts to deal with the environmental legacy of Giant Mine and ensure the health and safety of our residents, particularly those living in Yellowknife, Dettah and Ndilo," said Premier Roland. "I encourage NWT residents, particularly First Nations and other concerned citizens to participate in the regulatory review of this plan."
The submission of the Remediation Plan to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board is the first step in a regulatory process under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act.
Backgrounder: Giant Mine Remediation Plan

For further information please contact:

Minister's Office
Phillipe Mailhot
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160

Michele Boriel
Communications Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, NWT Region
867-669-2578

Judy McLinton
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Environment and Natural Resources
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-873-7379

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2016-12-15

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Canada and the Northwest Territories Move Forward With Giant Mine Remediation Plan

News Release

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