vol 1 sec 8 environmental management€¦ · open water reservoir defined channel undefined channel...

Syncrude Canada Ltd. Mildred Lake Extension Project Volume 1 – Project Description December 2014

Table of Contents

SECTION 8.0 – ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ............................................................................. 8-1

8.1 Water Management ............................................................................................ 8-1 8.1.1 Regional Setting ................................................................................. 8-4 8.1.2 Clean Water Interception ................................................................... 8-4 8.1.3 Mine Dewatering ................................................................................ 8-9 8.1.4 Depressurization .............................................................................. 8-11 8.1.5 Cap Rock Integrity ........................................................................... 8-11

8.2 Waste Management ......................................................................................... 8-11

8.3 Sewage ............................................................................................................ 8-11

8.4 Potable Water ................................................................................................... 8-11

LIST OF TABLES

Table 8.1-1: MLX–W Water Management Activities ............................................................... 8-3 Table 8.1-2: MLX–E Water Management Activities ................................................................ 8-3 Table 8.1-3: Clean Water Return to MacKay River Watershed .............................................. 8-8 Table 8.1-4: Clean Water Return to Athabasca River Watershed .......................................... 8-9

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 8.1-1: MLX Water Management Schematic .................................................................. 8-2 Figure 8.1-2: MLX–W Clean Water Interception Channel Configuration ................................. 8-5 Figure 8.1-3: MLX–E Clean Water Interception Channel Configuration .................................. 8-6 Figure 8.1-4: Clean Water Interception Channel Typical Cross-Section ................................. 8-7 Figure 8.1-5: MLX–W Mine Dewatering System (Year 2030) ................................................ 8-10 Figure 8.1-6: MLX–E Mine Dewatering System (Year 2030) ................................................. 8-12 Figure 8.1-7: Devonian Cap Rock Geology Information ........................................................ 8-13


Page 8-1

8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

This section describes effects of the Mildred Lake Extension Project (MLX Project) on existing environmental management systems and processes, and addresses:

water management;

waste management;

sewage treatment; and

potable water. This section also includes information to support the application for amendment of the Mildred Lake fenceline approval and licence under the Water Act.

8.1 Water Management

Water management plan objectives for the MLX Project include efficient and effective water-handling systems to support mine development, while minimizing hydrologic changes. Key water management strategies at the MLX Project include:

separation and management of clean water and process-affected water. Site drainage and runoff that meets provincial water quality standards will be returned to the environment. Process-affected water and water that comes into contact with oil sands will be collected in a closed-circuit system and used in the bitumen extraction process;

allowing surface water from undeveloped areas to continue to flow to nearby streams; and

no increase in annual water withdrawals from the Athabasca River. MLX Project water management activities will include:

establishing clean water interception appropriate to each development stage, to minimize overall impact on local hydrology;

dewatering muskeg and overburden for general surface drainage in advance of mining;

expanding the existing closed-circuit industrial water system to collect process-affected water; and

depressurizing the basal aquifer where required in advance of mining. For a water management schematic for the MLX Project, see Figure 8.1-1. For water management activities and milestones for MLX–W, see Table 8.1-1 and for MLX–E, see Table 8.1-2. Water management features and milestones are shown on the status maps in Volume 1, Section 7.0. Muskeg drainage and overburden dewatering will be incorporated in mining activities through the operations phase.

Figure 8.1-1

MLX Water Management

SchematicMLX Project

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SURFACE

RUNOFF FROM

UNDEVELOPED

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OVERBURDEN

DEWATERING

RUNOFF FROM

RECLAMATION

MATERIAL

STOCKPILES

CLEAN WATER

INTERCEPTION

CHANNEL

POLISHING

POND

RETURN TO

ENVIRONMENT

MINE DEWATERING (PIT,

ODA'S, HAUL ROADS, AND

MAINTENANCE AREAS)

CAKE CONSOLIDATION

AND RUNOFF WATER

COKE

DEPOSIT

WATER

DEPRESSURIZATION

(BASIL AQUIFER)

MAIN SUMP

TAILINGS

FACILITIES

(RECYCLED)

CLOSED CIRCUIT WATER RECYCLE


Page 8-3

Table 8.1-1: MLX–W Water Management Activities

Year Activity

2018 Construct clean water interception channel to reroute surface runoff and minor streams intersecting the Project Area; the channel discharges through a polishing pond into an unnamed tributary into the MacKay River.

2018 Construct Bridge Sump to collect runoff from the haul road east of the MacKay River; the Bridge Sump will also collect future mine dewatering water from MLX–W for pumping to North Mine Centre Pond (NMCP) tailings area.

2020 Construct ditch to collect runoff from the haul road west of the MacKay River; runoff collected is directed to the bridge sump via culvert.

2021 Construct Main Sump between the MLX–W pit and ODA–S to collect all mine dewatering water; water from the Main Sump is pumped to the NMCP tailings area.

2023 Construct extension of clean water interception channel around ODA–N; discharge location remains unchanged.

2024 Relocate clean water interception channel discharge north in advance of mining activities and around ODA–N; the relocated channel discharges through a polishing pond into another unnamed tributary into the MacKay River.

2025 Extend clean water interception in advance of ODA–N construction; discharge remains unchanged.

2026 Extend clean water interception in advance of ODA–N construction; discharge remains unchanged.

2027 Extend clean water interception in advance of ODA–N construction; discharge remains unchanged. Configuration of clean water interception channel remains unchanged until final reclamation activities.

Table 8.1-2: MLX–E Water Management Activities

Year Activity

2023 Construct clean water interception channel to reroute runoff intersecting the western portion of the project area; the channel discharges through a polishing pond into Bridge Creek, tributary to the Athabasca River.

2025 Install depressurization wells at the north end of the MLX–E pit in preparation for mining.

2026 Construct pit sump, ODA sump and mine dewatering ditch to collect runoff from ODA–E and mining areas; water from those sumps is pumped back to the Mildred Lake Settling Basin (MLSB) tailings area.

2028 Construct clean water interception channel to reroute runoff intersecting the southwest portion of the project area; channel runoff is pumped from a polishing pond into Horseshoe Lake, which ultimately discharges into the Athabasca River.

2029 Decommission depressurization wells.

2033 Mining activity extends through part of the clean water interception channel to the west; a replacement channel is not required. Configuration of the clean water interception channel remains unchanged until final reclamation activities.

Water management for the MLX Project will be closely integrated with the closed-circuit in place at the existing Mildred Lake operations. The 2013 Industrial Waste Water Report is included in Volume 1, Attachment 5 for additional information on existing water management processes, volumes and chemistry at the Mildred Lake site.


Page 8-4

Amendments to Mildred Lake Water Act Approval 263298 and Licence 263297 are requested, per Sections 42 and 54 of the Water Act. The requested amendment includes the following activities related to interception and diversion of surface water and groundwater during MLX Project construction, operations and reclamation phases:

muskeg drainage and overburden dewatering;

basal water sands depressurizing;

constructing watercourse crossings such as pipelines, transmission lines and bridges;

collecting and impounding surface and groundwater for use in the proposed fenceline extension; and

intercepting and channeling surface water around the Project Area. The maximum annual water collection volume within the fenceline from onsite precipitation and runoff, groundwater seepage, dewatering and depressurization is estimated as 11.7 Mm3. For the completed Water Act application form and associated concordance table, see Volume 1, Attachment 6.

8.1.1 Regional Setting

The MLX–W development is located in the lowland area of the MacKay River watershed, south of the confluence of the MacKay River and the Dover River. The watershed is generally flat, with elevations ranging from 370 masl to 326 masl. For most of the proposed development area, ground slopes are less than 0.5%, typical of a poorly drained lowland area. In the northwest corner of the development, ground slopes of 1% to 3% are indicative of upland characteristics. The MLX–E development area is located between the existing development at the Mildred Lake site and the Athabasca River escarpment. The watershed is generally flat, with elevations ranging from 317 masl to 307 masl. Ground slopes in the proposed development area are generally less than 0.5%, typical of a poorly drained lowland area. For more information on pre-development hydrology, see Volume 2, Section 7.0.

8.1.2 Clean Water Interception

For the configuration of the MLX–W clean water interception system over time, see Figure 8.1-2, and for MLX–E, see Figure 8.1-3. For a typical design cross-section for the ditch, see Figure 8.1-4. Additional features of the surface runoff collection, conveyance and discharge systems will be developed during detailed engineering. Design of clean water conveyance systems and any water storage not contained by dams (as defined by the Canadian Dam Association), will be designed to accommodate a 1 in 10-year flood event. Any water storage facility incorporating dams will be designed according to Canadian Dam Association guidelines. Drainage water collected outside the closed-circuit system and some pre-mining dewatering will be discharged to receiving waters to reduce hydrologic impacts that will result from excluding the closed-circuit areas from the watershed.

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Figure 8.1-4


Ditch Typical Cross-SectionMLX Project

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Page 8-8

Muskeg drainage and overburden dewatering are required to prepare the mine site for soil salvage and stripping operations. Muskeg drainage will remove most of the free-draining water from the near-surface zone of the muskeg or surface soils. Underlying strata will be dewatered to the extent practicable before removal. It is assumed that muskeg drainage water and undisturbed watershed runoff can be released through the clean water management system. Clean water return will comply with the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act polishing pond standards. Surface runoff from reclamation stockpile areas will be returned to the environment through the clean water interception system, following treatment in sedimentation ponds. For average annual water volumes expected to be returned to the MacKay River watershed through the MLX–W clean water interception system, see Table 8.1-3. For average annual water volumes expected to be returned to the Athabasca River watershed through the MLX–E clean water interception system, see Table 8.1-4.

Table 8.1-3: Clean Water Return to MacKay River Watershed

Year Surface

Dewatering (Mm3)

Overburden Dewatering

(Mm3)


(Mm3)

Clean Water Return (Mm3)

2018 0.0 0.0 3.8 3.8

2019 1.1 3.6 4.4 9.1

2020 1.2 3.8 4.8 9.7

2021 0.4 1.4 5.0 6.8

2022 0.7 2.2 5.0 7.8

2023 0.6 1.9 4.9 7.4

2024 0.6 2.0 5.3 8.0

2025 0.6 1.9 5.3 7.8

2026 0.6 1.9 5.7 8.2

2027 0.5 1.4 5.3 7.2

2028 0.5 1.5 4.9 6.9

2029 0.2 0.8 4.5 5.5

2030 0.4 1.1 4.3 5.8

2031 0.3 0.8 4.4 5.5

2032 0.2 0.7 4.0 5.0

2033 0.2 0.6 3.9 4.7

2034 0.0 0.0 4.5 4.5

2035 0.0 0.0 4.4 4.4

2036 0.0 0.0 4.5 4.5


Page 8-9

Table 8.1-4: Clean Water Return to Athabasca River Watershed

Year Surface

Dewatering (Mm3)

Overburden Dewatering

(Mm3)


(Mm3)

Clean Water Return (Mm3)

2023 0.5 1.8 0.76 3.07

2024 1.2 2.5 0.88 4.57

2025 0.2 0.9 0.92 1.96

2026 0.1 0.3 0.62 0.99

2027 0.3 2.1 0.78 3.26

2028 0.2 1.0 0.82 1.96

2029 0.1 1.2 0.54 1.91

2030 0.1 1.0 0.61 1.66

2031 0.3 3.5 0.57 4.42

2032 0.1 0.4 0.57 1.10

2033 0.0 0.0 0.41 0.41

2034 0.0 0.0 0.37 0.37

2035 0.0 0.0 0.32 0.32

2036 0.0 0.0 0.32 0.32

8.1.3 Mine Dewatering

Water coming in contact with the mine operating areas is considered process-affected. All process-affected water associated with the MLX Project is managed in the mine dewatering system. Water collected in the mine dewatering closed-circuit system will be recycled and returned to active tailings areas, for eventual reuse in the bitumen extraction process. Sources of MLX Project process-affected water include:

mine pit runoff and drainage;

runoff from overburden disposal areas (ODAs);

runoff and expressed water from centrifuge cake deposits; and

runoff from haul roads and maintenance areas. In-pit ditches will collect and divert water from the active mining and tailings areas to sumps. Collected water will be transported by pipeline to a primary sump (Main Sump) located outside the mining area. Runoff from ODAs will be collected in perimeter ditches and will also be directed to the Main Sump. Water in the Main Sump will then be transported to existing tailings facilities for use in the bitumen extraction process. MLX–W water collected in the Main Sump will be transported via pipeline to NMCP, an active tailings management area east of the MacKay River. The MLX–W dewatering system will be designed with a pumping capacity of 3,000 m3/h, adequate to handle a 1 in 100-year rainfall event. For a typical layout of the MLX–W mine dewatering system, shown at Year 2030, see Figure 8.1-5.

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Page 8-11

MLX–E water collected in the primary sumps (Pit Sump and ODA Sump) will be combined and transported via pipeline to the MLSB, an active tailings management area west of MLX–E. The sumps and associated pipeline and pumping system will be designed with a combined pumping capacity of 1,000 m3/h, also sufficient to handle a 1 in 100-year rainfall event. For a typical layout of the MLX–E mine dewatering system, shown at Year 2028, see Figure 8.1-6.

8.1.4 Depressurization

Current information indicates that basal aquifer depressurization in advance of mining may not be required at MLX–W. Basal conditions will be monitored and reassessed as additional geological information becomes available from production and geotechnical exploration programs. Depressurization water, if encountered, will be pumped and directed to the NMCP through the mine dewatering system. At MLX–E, basal depressurization is expected to be required in advance of mining at the north end of the proposed pit. Detailed depressurization requirements and expected water quality and quantity will be confirmed by drilling and aquifer testing. Plans put in place to ensure adequate depressurization before mining. For preliminary depressurization well locations, see Figure 8.1-6; those depressurization wells are expected to remain in place from 2025 to 2029. Depressurization water will be pumped to MLSB through the mine dewatering system.

8.1.5 Cap Rock Integrity

Devonian cap rock geology information is based on drillhole data (see Figure 8.1-7). This information indicates consistent Devonian geology across the MLX Project Area, affording a minimum of 137 m of cap rock (calcareous shale and argillaceous limestone) below the McMurray Formation. There is no indication of cap rock faulting that would raise concerns about cap rock integrity. Cap rock in the proposed development area is expected to prevent upward movement of water from potential water-bearing units below the pit.

8.2 Waste Management

Because development of the MLX Project will not generate any new waste streams at the Mildred Lake site, no changes to existing approvals relating to waste management are required.

8.3 Sewage

Development of the MLX Project is not expected to affect the amount or disposal of domestic sewage generated on the Syncrude site and will not require an amendment to the operating approval.

8.4 Potable Water

Development of the MLX Project will not affect Syncrude’s potable water system.

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vol 1 sec 8 environmental management€¦ · open water reservoir defined channel undefined channel...

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