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In the years following abandonment, several site assessments were undertaken to evaluate the extent of contamination and environmental impacts. Studies conducted over the period of 1979 to 1995 included sampling of surface and groundwater, lake sediments, soils, vegetation and aquatic macrophytes for metals and radionuclide analysis. Gamma radiation and radon gas surveys were also included in some of the studies. Rehabilitation of the Rayrock minesite began in 1996. The project was managed by Public Works and Government Services Canada on behalf of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Rehabilitation efforts focused on sealing the mine adit and ventilation shafts, removing radioactive material from the dump, disposing of dump material on the tailings, and capping the north and south tailings piles with a thick layer of silty-clay. The objective of the remedial program was to contain contaminants at the site and thereby limit exposures to persons who may frequent the area.

Overview

In the years following abandonment, several site assessments were undertaken to evaluate the extent of contamination and environmental impacts. Studies conducted over the period of 1979 to 1995 included sampling of surface and groundwater, lake sediments, soils, vegetation and aquatic macrophytes for metals and radionuclide analysis. Gamma radiation and radon gas surveys were also included in some of the studies. Rehabilitation of the Rayrock minesite began in 1996. The project was managed by Public Works and Government Services Canada on behalf of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Rehabilitation efforts focused on sealing the mine adit and ventilation shafts, removing radioactive material from the dump, disposing of dump material on the tailings, and capping the north and south tailings piles with a thick layer of silty-clay. The objective of the remedial program was to contain contaminants at the site and thereby limit exposures to persons who may frequent the area.

Experience

Public Works and Government Services Canada retained Rescan in 2001 to undertake the annual post-rehabilitation monitoring program. A comprehensive review of the long-term monitoring program was subsequently undertaken by Rescan site assessment specialists in the first quarter of 2002 to evaluate the results of the program and develop a revised long-term monitoring program manual for the site. The revised program calls for continued gamma radiation and radon gas surveys, surface and groundwater monitoring as well as visual inspection of the mine area, rehabilitated tailings and waste dump areas.