Syncrude works continuously at reclamation

Syncrude, one of the largest oilsands operators, does not wait until an area is completely mined out before starting to reclaim it, says Cheryl Robb, the company’s spokesperson. The company’s modus operandi, which it calls “progressive reclamation,” means that it starts reclaiming land as soon as possible.

The company’s showcase reclamation project is the 1-sq. km Gateway Hill, north of Fort McMurray, Alta. By law, Syncrude is obliged to return all areas that it mines to “equivalent land capacity” condition after mining is completed, and last year the provincial government certified that the company met this standard in Gateway Hill. Once an area is certified, Syncrude can return it to the Crown.

Syncrude’s oilsands leases are in boreal forest, some of which is wetlands, and some uplands – hilly areas which are often treed. The “equivalent land capacity” standard means that when an oilsands company leaves an area, it must be restored to a mix of wetlands and uplands, but the mix does not have to be strictly identical to the pre-mining condition.

Syncrude started mining the oilsands in 1978, and started working toward reclamation the same year. The vegetation on Gateway Hill is now established, with shrubs, bushes and mature trees.

Robb says that it takes a long time to establish vegetation on reclaimed land. For example, trees can take as long as 10 or 15 years to mature. Species planted on Gateway Hill include aspen, tamarack, spruce, saskatoonberry, alder, prickly rose and others. Wildlife has also moved back into the area, including deer, moose, smaller mammals and birds.

One of the more exotic reclamation projects is the Beaver Creek Wood Bison Ranch, which Syncrude populated with a herd of wood bison, currently 300-strong. Since there is still active mining in the area, the bison are fenced in, and the health of the herd is being monitored.

Robb says that Syncrude has reclaimed more than 45 sq. km, which are in various stages of growth. So far, the company has planted 5 million trees and shrubs. Syncrude consults aboriginal communities about the type of vegetation they would like to see, which can include indigenous and medicinal plants.

One focus of Syncrude’s efforts is the Mildred Lake project, where the north mine is currently active, while the east and west mines have been mined out and are being reclaimed. The east mine covers 11 sq. km, and is about 60 metres deep, while the west mine sits on 5 sq. km and is about 80 metres deep.

The company is filling the pits with tailings. It is using mature fine tails, which are clay particles, as well as composite tails, combined with gypsum and sand.

The east mine is now almost completely filled, and Syncrude plans to cover it with sand, and then contour the landscape during the summer. It will then be covered with soil, with planting scheduled for next year. The company also plans to recreate a fen – a type of wetland – on the east mine.

Mildred Lake’s east mine will be covered with mature fine tails, and then capped with a layer of water, turning it into a lake and a number of ponds. Having tried the concept in test ponds, the company expects the area to support vegetation. The lake will not be populated with fish at the beginning, since the area is salty.

Because Syncrude conducted environmental baseline studies prior to starting operations in 1978, the company will be able to compare the level of different elements in the environment to baseline levels 30 years ago.

The technical leads on the reclamation projects include Ron Lewko – reclamation research leader, Steve Gaudet – environmental affairs leader, and Jim Lorentz – technology development leader, who researched the use of tailings in reclamation. Robb says that Syncrude shares its reclamation know-how with other companies.

Oilsands Developers Group

The Oilsands Developers Group is an association of 27 companies active in the oilsands. Don Thompson, the association’s president, says that, in 40 years of mining, a total area of 530 sq. km has been disturbed, of which 45 sq. km is under active reclamation.

He points out that every mine is required to file a conservation and reclamation plan detailing how the company will go about reclaiming the mine. Members of the association are required to ensure that reclamation plans are on track relative to commitments that companies made.

Thompson says that member companies had to undertake reclamation research because of the unique surfaces involved, such as fine tailings and sand surfaces. Considerable research was undertaken at universities in Canada and the U.S. Another area of research tackled on behalf of member companies was the propagation of native species of vegetation.

Studies show that wildlife re-populate reclaimed land soon after it is replanted, Thompson says. Small mammals are the first to move in, and as vegetation matures, the animal population changes to match the habitat. The intention of the Beaver Creek Wood Bison Ranch is to show that reclaimed land can support large animals.

Companies are confident that they will be able to reclaim tailings ponds, Thompson says. For example, Suncor Energy’s (SU-T, SU-N) pond number 1, north of Fort McMurray, is under active reclamation and is scheduled to be planted with trees and shrubs next year.