In response to metal mining effluent regulations, Rescan is pleased to offer a mining specific environmental effects monitoring service.
Building on Rescan’s specific expertise in the mining industry, our scientists and engineers have the skill and knowledge base needed to help the mining industry meet their EEM requirements. Rescan can assist in all stages of EEM from inception through to completion, including design of the EEM program, collection of field monitoring data, preparation of baseline and interpretive reports, conduct ongoing effluent characterization, and provide general EEM guidance.
Rescan’s EEM services include:
- Freshwater and marine environment data collection
- Statistically sound aquatic baseline programs
- Long term effects monitoring programs
- Specific effects monitoring programs
- Knowledge transfer and training of local personnel
Data Analysis and Reporting:
- Interpretation and integration aquatic data
- Statistical analysis and effects interpretation
- Water quality and sediment quality analysis
- Toxicity testing
- Interpretation and reporting of field and laboratory QA/QC results
- Professional and timely presentation of reports / public discussions
Related Services:
Click here to read about Rescan’s EEM project experience at Canada’s Ekati Diamond Mine.
Metal Mining Effluent Regulations & Environmental Effects Monitoring
In late 2002, the new Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER) came into effect for all Canadian metal mines with total effluent flows exceeding 50m3/day. As part of the new MMER, an aquatic Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program has to be implemented within 6 months of the mine becoming subject to MMER. For the majority of operating metal mines, Part I of the aquatic EEM program will begin in June, 2003. A brief outline of EEM requirements is provided in the right-hand column of this page.
Outline of EEM Requirements
Part 1: Effluent and Water Quality Monitoring Studies
- Effluent Characterization:
- conducted four times per calendar year
- one month minimum between consecutive sampling periods
- Sub-lethal Toxicity Testing:
- conducted two times per calendar year
- reduced to one time per year after three years
- Water Quality Monitoring:
- conducted four times per calendar year
- one month minimum between consecutive sampling periods
- Reporting:
- annual effluent and water quality monitoring reports due March 31
Part 2: Biological Monitoring Studies
- First Study Design:
- Report is due one year after mine becomes subject to MMER
- Includes site characterization, a study plan and scientific rationale for study design; monitoring of fish communities, fish habitats, fish tissues as well as benthic invertebrate monitoring.
- Fish community monitoring is required if the effluent concentration within 250m of final discharge point is greater than 1%.
- Fish tissue monitoring is required if the total mercury concentration in the effluent is equal to or greater than 0.10 μg/L
- Benthic invertebrate community monitoring is always required and includes collection of sediment samples for grain size and total organic carbon (TOC) analyses.
- Interpretive Report:
- Due one year after biological monitoring study is conducted
- Includes a thorough description data collected and methods used, as well as interpretation of any biological effects.
- Focused Monitoring and Investigation of Cause:
- Conducted when an effect is observed but any of the magnitude, extent or cause, are unknown
- Requires additional specialized monitoring, above and beyond the standard EEM program.
Environmental Effects Monitoring
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