Shell Albian Sands

Transcription

Shell Albian Sands - Jackpine Mine - Tailings Plans

Shell Albian Sands
Jackpine Mine
ERCB Directive 074 Submission
September 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Directive 074 Appendix C – Dedicated Disposal Area Plan for Cell 1…
Directive 074 Appendix E – Annual Tailings Management……….……..
Tailings Measurement Plan Response
ii
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Shell Canada Limited
Jackpine Mine – Tailings Management Plan
Section 1
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix C Content of the DDA Plan
1)
engineering designs and operating procedures for the containment structure and
the deposit, including details and timelines for construction, operation, closure,
capping, formation of a trafficable deposit, and final landform design;
2)
the planned rate and amount of fines captured within the deposit each year, and
3)
a comprehensive plan on removal or remediation of segregated fluid tailings
each year.
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1.1
Section 1
INTRODUCTION
This document has been prepared to address the requirements for a dedicated
disposal area (DDA) plan, as required under Energy Resources Conservation
Board (ERCB) Directive 074, Appendix C. In accordance with Clause 4.2 of
Directive 074, DDA plans must be provided two years prior to construction of
the DDA, although this timing may vary for existing operators. The first DDA for
Jackpine Mine Phase 1 is the Thickened Tailings (TT) cell of the External
Tailings Facility (ETF), referred to in this document as JPM DDA 1. The
construction of the ETF starter dyke began in 2008 prior to the issuance of
Directive 074.
The content of this DDA plan makes reference to details provided in the
Jackpine Mine Phase 1 Tailings Management Plan, required in Appendix E of
Directive 074 and submitted in conjunction with this DDA plan.
1.2
DESCRIPTION OF EXTERNAL TAILINGS FACILITY (ETF)
The Jackpine Mine Phase 1 ETF is located in the south east of Lease 13,
covers 1,551 ha and has a capacity of 621 Mm3 of tailings. The ETF is
comprised of a TT cell and two mature fine tailings (MFT) cells (Figure 1-1), of
which only the TT cell is proposed as JPM DDA 1.
The ETF is constructed with an overburden starter dyke, followed by coarse
sand tailings (CST) beached to the interior. CST will be discharged into settling
cells on top of the dyke to raise elevations as shown in Figure 1-2.
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Section 1
Figure 1-1: Layout of Dedicated Disposal Area within Surrounding Area
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Section 1
Figure 1-2: External Tailings Disposal Area Construction Concept
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1.3
Section 1
ENGINEERING DESIGN FOR THE JPM DDA 1 CONTAINMENT STRUCTURE
The JPM DDA 1 is contained by a 6500 m long centreline dyke along the north,
west, and south sides and a 2100 m long upstream dyke along the east side
(Figure 1-3). It is constructed to an ultimate elevation of 381 metres above sea
level (masl) and a maximum height of 67 m. The footprint of the structure
occupies approximately 4.5 km2 from the centreline toe to the upstream crest.
The centreline starter dykes are constructed entirely of overburden to an
elevation of 324.9 masl. This portion of the structure is built in two phases:
•
A ring-dyke with a 50 m top-width will be constructed along the
upstream side of the centreline section of the structure to provide
initial containment of the tailings. The volume of this preliminary dyke
is 3.3 Mm3.
•
The remainder of the starter dyke will be constructed following
completion of the first phase, and requires 13.1 Mm3 of overburden.
External dyke slopes along the centreline portion of JPM DDA 1 vary from
6H:1V to 4H:1V. The external slope angle is controlled by foundation
conditions; specifically, the shear strength of the material and pore pressure
response to loading. At this location, tidal flat mud (TFM) and Clearwater
materials (Kc) govern the overall slope. Shallow plasticity index (Pl) clays are
stripped to a width equal to three times the height of the starter dyke along
much of the starter dyke footprint.
The upstream portion of the starter dyke is constructed entirely of overburden
to the adjacent MFT cell design elevation of 335.75 masl. Approximately 4.5
Mm3 of material is required to construct the dyke. Shallow Pl clays are stripped
to a width equal to three times the height of the starter dyke along some
sections of the structure. A buttress of tailings will be deposited on the
downstream side of the upstream dyke, as the maximum unsupported height of
this dyke is 20 m.
As a cell is built above the starter dyke, the upstream dyke crest moves away
from JPM DDA 1, towards the adjacent MFT cell. The external dyke slope is
4H:1V, governed by shallow Kc deposits and the potential for liquefaction
failure.
Internal dyke slopes for both centreline and upstream dykes are assumed to be
2H:1V.
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Section 1
Figure 1-3: Dyke Design
1.4
OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR THE CONTAINMENT STRUCTURE AND
DEPOSIT
Full details of the tailings engineering scheme for Jackpine Mine Phase 1 can
be found in the Tailings Management Plan submission that addresses ERCB
Directive 074 Appendix E requirements. Operating procedures for the
containment structure and tailings deposition process, and details of removal of
segregated fluid tailings (MFT) are provided in Section 3, the Tailings
Management Plan.
Plan On Removal or Remediation of Segregated Fluid Tailings
Any material not meeting the strength criteria required by Directive 074 and not
removed as segregated fluid tailings will be remediated in place. Any MFT
disaggregating from TT placed in JPM DDA 1 will be pumped to the adjacent
MFT cell in the ETF, and recycled back into non-segregating tailings (NST)
production once in-pit disposal is available.
1.5
TIMELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, CLOSURE, CAPPING,
FORMATION OF A TRAFFICABLE DEPOSIT AND FINAL LANDFORM DESIGN
Table 1-1 provides a summary of the timelines established for the construction,
operation and closure of JPM DDA 1. Specific details concerning 1.3
construction of JPM DDA 1 containment are provided in Section 1.3, for
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Section 1
operational use of the DDA in Section 1.4, and for closure and reclamation in
Sections 1.6 and 1.7.
Table 1-1: Timeline Summary
Start Date
End Date
Construction
Preparation of starter dyke
2008
Preparation of External Dyke Walls (centerline)
2015
Preparation of Upstream Dyke
2010
Operation
TT deposition – initial filling period
2010
TT deposition – in-pit tailings cell sand capping
2035
2049
2054
MFT transfer
2010
Closure, Capping and Final Landform Design
Completion of TT deposition
n/a
Trafficable tailings surface
2055
Overburden capping and drainage contouring
2057
Reclamation coversoil placement
2060
Nurse crop coverage and cap settlement
2060
Revegetation
2062
Monitoring
2063
1.6
2010
2029
2011
2027
2036
2050
2055
2055
2055
2057
2059
2061
2062
2063
TBD
Formation And Capping of Trafficable Deposit
Completion of TT deposition and pumping of MFT to the adjacent ETF MFT cell
or to NST production is anticipated in 2055. As shown in Table 1-1 and the
Tailings Management Plan, TT is deposited over four periods: initial deposition
and three subsequent depositions during CST capping activities in each of the
in-pit tailings cells. Between each of these periods, a thin layer of CST will be
placed over the TT within the DDA to facilitate water expression from the
deposit. Deposit strength required to allow a trafficable surface is anticipated to
be achieved by 2057.
At completion of the Jackpine Mine Phase 1 TT deposition events, the TT
elevation is expected to reach 365 masl within JPM DDA 1. As described in the
Tailings Management Plan, the latent capacity within the TT cell structure (to
the approved 381 masl) is intended to act as contingency in the event of
changes to plan parameters that may generate increased volumes of TT, or to
be filled by TT produced in proposed Jackpine Mine Expansion activities. To
maintain the integrity of fines sequestration within the DDA, alternative tailings
storage has not been planned for this TT cell capacity. In the event that
proposed expansion activities do not go ahead, the TT cell will be capped with
an overburden plug to bring the final elevation to the 381 masl elevation
required for closure drainage activities, as described below.
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Section 1
Overburden sourced from overburden storage areas will be placed onto the
trafficable TT surface, to an average depth of 16 m (or a minimum of 3 m if
Jackpine Mine Expansion TT deposition fills the TT cell). The overburden cap
will be contoured to grade to the adjacent dyke walls, to provide channels for
drainage and to provide mesotopographical features for reclamation activities.
Cross sections showing typical overburden and reclamation material depths
along drainage channels and at high and low elevations on the JPM DDA 1
surface are provided in Section 1.7. Overburden capping activities are
scheduled to occur between 2057 and 2059 (see Table 1-1) to cover the 4.5
km2 surface area of the DDA.
1.7
FINAL LANDFORM DESIGN
As JPM DDA 1 is part of the larger ETF landform, reclamation activities and
drainage features have been adapted to provide an operational reclamation
plan until such time as the ETF is closed and the closure drainage plan for the
entire structure is completed. The location of the JPM DDA 1 requires activities
related to vegetation of the dyke wall to be controlled by Dam Safety Board
regulations relating to active tailings dam treatment, until such time as the MFT
cells are closed and the ETF is decommissioned. Some reclamation activities
will be carried out at the closure of the DDA to prepare the area for further
revegetation at closure.
Closure Drainage Design
The closure drainage plan for the ETF involves a drainage network directed to
the east side of the ETF where it is ramped down to a closed-loop network
leading to a future pit lake located on the west side of the Jackpine Mine Phase
1 development area. Until closure of the ETF, the drainage plan has been
modified for the JPM DDA 1 area to drain surface water eastwards towards the
adjacent MFT cell, and to provide vegetated waterways draining dyke wall
areas towards the toe interception ditch present around the entire ETF (Figure
2-4). In this way, drainage from the JPM DDA 1 will be designed to expand to
the drainage network across the remainder of the ETF at closure, but will be
maintained within a closed-loop area while the ETF remains in operation.
Overburden capping materials will be contoured to provide the appropriate
channel morphologies, as described in detail in the Jackpine Mine Phase 1
Application (2002). It is anticipated that overburden capping material will settle
over time and provide microtopographical variation on the surface.
Reclamation Material Placement
On completion of overburden capping, reclamation materials will be placed
according to prescribed replacement depths within EPEA Approval No.
153125-00-00. Closure and reclamation plans for Jackpine Mine Phase 1 will
be designed to meet the conditions within the Muskeg River Mine Expansion
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Section 1
EPEA Approval No. 20809-01-00, and the reclamation designs shown in
Figures 1-4 to 1-9 anticipate these requirements.
Reclamation material will be direct placed from salvage activities in northern pit
areas, or from Reclamation Material Stockpiles (RMS – see Figure 1-1) located
close to the ETF. Dyke wall slopes and the top of the dyke wall will have an
average of 30 cm of peat-mineral mix placed over the overburden capping
materials. The dyke walls were originally planned to have upland soils replaced
on their surface as per the approved closure, conservation and reclamation
plan for Jackpine Mine Phase 1, however AENV Dam Safety has advised that
the use of upland soils and subsequent woody species growth is
contraindicated for dam safety inspections. Peat-mineral mix has therefore
been substituted in these areas, with an Alberta Sustainable Resource
Development-approved grass mix planted until such time as the ETF is
decommissioned and the planting of woody species is allowed.
JPM DDA 1 top surface areas adjacent to drainage channels and in flat areas
will have 20 cm of coarse-textured upland surface soil and 30 cm of mediumtextured subsoil placed in areas designed for g1 ecosites. These upland soils
will be either medium or coarse-textured depending on the ecosite planned for
the location (see Revegetation Design below). Peat-mineral mix to a depth of
30 cm will be placed on the banks of drainage channels.
Revegetation Design
Creation of the channel areas also provides adjacent raised “hummock” areas
that will be used for upland ecosite development in the reclamation plans
(Figure 1-5). It is anticipated that given the shallow gradient on the surface of
the JPM DDA 1 area, most of the areas around the drainage channels have the
potential to remain moist and have been designed as g1 ecosites with areas of
c1 in hummock areas and h1 adjacent to drainage channels (Figures 1-5 to 18).
Areas around the periphery of the top surface, top of the dyke wall and on the
slopes of the dyke walls have been designed as d ecosites with an area of c
ecosite on the potentially drier south-facing top slope (Figures 1-4 and 1-9).
The closure plan presented in Figures 1-4 to 1-9 indicates boreal mixedwood
ecosites on the dyke walls, as per EPEA Approval No. 153125-00-00 for
Jackpine Mine Phase 1, however it should be noted that reclamation plans may
see these areas grassed for a period designated by the Dam Safety Board.
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Section 1
Figure 1-4: JPM DDA 1 Closure Landform Design and Drainage Features
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Section 1
Figure 1-5: Cross Sections A-A1 of JPM DDA 1 Drainage Channels
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Section 1
Figure 1-6: Cross Sections B-B1 of JPM DDA 1 Drainage Channels
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Section 1
Figure 1-7: Cross Section C-C1 of JPM DDA 1 Drainage System at Outlet to
Adjacent MFT Cell
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Section 1
Figure 1-8: Cross Sections D-D1 of JPM DDA 1 Top Surface to Dyke Wall
Junction
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Section 1
Figure 1-9: Cross Sections E-E1 of JPM DDA 1 Top Surface to Dyke Wall Junction
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Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E Annual Tailings Management Plan
1) a description of the tailings management plan and any deviations from the
approved tailings plan for the entire mine scheme;
2) a process flow diagram for the scheme’s tailings operations;
3) a mineable oil sands reserves table for the life of the mine scheme that includes
• mine total waste, overburden, and interburden, and
• ore quantity, bitumen grade, fines, sand, and water (as a weight per cent of
the ore), and recovered barrels of bitumen;
4) a production forecast table for the life of the mine scheme by time period,
including
• mined total waste,
• mined ore, bitumen grade, and recovered barrels of bitumen, and
• total tailings production by type;
5) a table of waste material (overburden and interburden) classified by
• geologic formation (Holocene, Pleistocene, Clearwater, McMurray, etc.) with
associated volume and weight,
• type and per cent of material suitable for tailings impoundment construction,
and
• the amount projected for use in tailings impoundment construction;
6) a table that schedules the source and destination of waste material by
• mass and volume, classifying material type by structure,
• the material types—overburden, interburden, crusher rejects (or oversize),
and tailings—used for structures,
• destination area, including DDAs, external and in-pit waste disposal areas,
external and in-pit tailings impoundment structures, and external and in-pit
tailings areas;
7) a starting baseline for all structures, including the present elevation of each
waste material type within each structure;
8) a construction schedule, volume, and projected life span for each tailings
impoundment structure;
9) an illustration of fluid tailings impoundment and DDA capacity versus the
associated storage requirements;
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Section 2
10)
destination and description of each tailings type by structure, including mass,
volume, and components (water, fines, sand, and bitumen, as a per cent of the
ore);
11)
a site-wide tabulation and illustration of fluid tailings inventory;
12)
site-wide sand, fines, and water balance;
13)
mine scheme development maps by reporting period, and a text description of
the major development activities as illustrated on each map;
14)
a summary of tailings water chemistry, seepage water chemistry, and seepage
water rates into the groundwater from reports of groundwater and tailings
monitoring programs provided to AENV;
15)
a description of the process for remediation or rehandling of segregated fines
within the DDAs within one year of segregation;
16)
planning assumptions and criteria used to support the tailings management plan,
such as fines distribution in the ore body, tailings stream-specific gravities,
tailings consolidation curves, tailings deposition angles, and tailings
impoundment design and construction criteria; and
17)
any other information that the ERCB requires.
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Section 2
DIRECTIVE 074 TAILINGS MANAGEMENT PLAN
Overview
The information contained in this document is provided in response to the
requirements of ERCB Directive 074 – “Tailings Performance Criteria and
Requirements for Oil Sands Mining Schemes”. The tailings management plan
and associated information provided are based on the mining scheme
described in ERCB Approval No. 9756 and consider an annual average
bitumen production of 100,000 Bbls/day bitumen for the Jackpine Mine. The
plans also recognise that bitumen froth produced at the Jackpine Mine will be
transferred for processing through expanded Muskeg River Mine froth
treatment facilities. Fine tailings produced as a result will be managed at the
Muskeg River Mine tailings facilities.
The information is provided in a format that follows the requirements as
described in Section 4.5 and Appendix E of the directive.
Tailings Strategy and Background
In developing its tailings management strategy Shell has considered all aspects
of Directive 074 and was done so based on the understanding that; “The ERCB
recognizes that fluid tailings management is developing and that operators may
need flexibility to apply technologies and techniques that best suit the
circumstances of particular projects” and that “The ERCB will consider
submissions of operators and will determine project-specific requirements
related to the directive”.
Whereas this Tailings Management Plan is designed to meet the requirements
of Directive 074, the development and implementation of new technologies at
commercial scale provides a degree of uncertainty that may impact the timing
and performance of the proposed fine tailings management schemes.
The initial tailings management scheme that will be implemented at the
Jackpine Mine is based on the ability to separate tailings streams for deposition
in the external tailings facility currently under construction. The construction of
this facility provides for a dedicated disposal area (DDA) that will be utilised for
the storage and management of thickened tailings (TT) that will ultimately
provide a trafficable deposit. The facility design and construction is currently
underway with first deposition of TT in the external DDA anticipated in the latter
half of 2010.
To compliment the start up and initial operation of the thickened tailings DDA
Shell will continue its evaluation and development of other fine tailings
management technologies using its dedicated tailings pilot plant and test facility
located at the Muskeg River Mine. Shell is also considering the larger scale
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Section 2
field-testing in 2010 of atmospheric fines drying techniques. These techniques
have only been evaluated to date through small-scale test facilities.
Shell has included in its planning and response to the requirements of Directive
074 the implementation of “Non-Segregating tailings” (NST) at commercial
scale. This process is currently under development utilising the tailings pilot
plant facility. The timing of implementation of this technology to commercial
scale recognises the needs for;
•
thorough testing, compilation and analysis of test data
•
detailed design of a commercial facility
•
project start-up to commercial scale capacity and performance
It is expected that the use of NST will be initiated at the Jackpine Mine once inpit deposition of tailings is available; this is forecasted to be in the year 2027
In its planning, Shell has recognised that during early development of a
thickened tailings deposit, there may be shortfalls in capacity to meet the
requirements of the directive with respect to the required percentage of fine
tailings sequestration. Technologies to supplement the primary depositional
techniques, such as atmospheric fines drying, are being considered for
implementation during these periods and additional production capability of
such technology has been included.
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Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Annual Tailings Management Plan
Item # 1
A description of the tailings management plan and deviations from
approved plans for the entire mine scheme
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Section 2
EXTERNAL TAILINGS DISPOSAL OPERATIONS
Separate Stream Tailings technology is utilized during deposition in the
Jackpine Mine Phase 1 ETDA. Separate Stream Tailings production at
Jackpine Mine produces the following tailings streams:
•
Coarse Sand Tails from Cyclone underflow
•
Thickened Tails from Thickener underflow
•
Whole Tailings (WT) produced when production upsets occur in the
tailings circuit
•
Thin Fine Tails (TFT generated when fines segregate during the
deposition of all tailings streams. TFT consolidate, to form Mature
Fine Tails after 12 to 18 months.
The Jackpine Mine ETDA is a segmented structure that separates the
Thickened Tails deposit from the beached Coarse Sand Tails and the Fluid
Tailings contained within the beach (MFT Pond). Segmenting of the structure
allows the MFT Pond to be contained with dykes constructed with upstream
cell technique. The TT Pond is contained with centreline constructed
containment dykes.
The Jackpine Mine - Phase 1 Application ETDA plan showed the TT
containment dykes at an ultimate elevation of 373 masl, and the Main Tailings
Area (MFT Pond) reached a final elevation of 371 masl.
Subsequent ETDA designs and tailings staging studies have modified the
design of the Jackpine Mine ETDA. The ETDA design submitted for Dam
Safety approval in July 2007 segmented the Main Tailings Area into two MFT
Ponds and raised the final elevation of the entire ETDA to 381 masl. The Main
Tailings Area was segmented in order to defer diversion of Khahago Creek.
MFT Pond 1 (MFT1) is developed west of Khahago Creek, and MFT Pond 2
(MFT2) borders the east limit of OSL T13 and the Khahago Surge Facility.
The Jackpine Mine Expansion Application proposes the elimination of the
Khahago surge facility and provides a redesign of the east limit of the ETDA to
use the additional space up to the east limit of OSL T13. However, this design
change has not been integrated into the plans described in this submission.
The Jackpine Mine 2009 Tailings Management Plan external tailings plan uses:
•
Separate Stream tailings production
•
The 2007 Dam Safety Approved ETDA
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Section 2
The tailings management plan as presented shows the ETF MFT Pond will rise
to the final design elevation of 381 masl by 2027. The MFT Pond 2 will be filled
at a rate where containment dykes reach the same elevation as MFT Pond 1 to
provide the opportunity to merge the two ponds and eliminate the need for a
cross dyke between the ponds.
The TT Pond is the nominated DDA to provide fines sequestration over the
short term. The TT deposit will not achieve the full long term fines
sequestration requirements of the directive, however initiatives are underway to
optimize fines capture in the TT deposit, and investigate supplemental fines
capture methods such as atmospheric fines drying.
When the MFT Pond reaches design elevation in 2027 the TT Pond will be
approximately 20 m below design elevation. The lagging TT Pond elevation is
a result of reduced TT production in this plan versus previous plans due to the
reduction in predicted orebody fines.
The intermittent deposition of TT during in-pit CST capping will not raise the
pond to final design elevation. The dormant TT Cell will have a thin layer of
coarse sand placed on top during dormant periods to facilitate water
expression from the deposit.
The resulting increase in elevation at the end of operations is addressed in the
closure plan and is not considered for alternative tailings storage in this plan in
order to:
•
preserve the integrity of the DDA
•
maintain contingency TT space for increased TT quantities due to
potential changes to plan parameters or from future expansions.
In-Pit Tailings Disposal Operations
Non-segregating tailings (NST) has been selected as the tailings technology for
in-pit tailings operations, which will start in 2027. NST will be produced and
deposited in cells contained by a combination of engineered dyke structures
and the final pit walls. Upon implementation of NST, JPM will be compliant with
D-074 fine sequestration targets.
NST is produced by the mixture of TT, coarse dewatered sand, and MFT from
a fluid tailings cell, with gypsum added to prevent segregation of the mixture.
The NST product is pumped at a high solids density and deposited sub-aerially
to prevent segregation during deposition.
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Section 2
In-pit NST operations will require two active cells:
•
The NST Cell for deposition of NST product and the CST cap
•
A Clarification (Fluid Tails) cell to receive Thin Fine Tails runoff
pumped continuously from the location of active NST deposition; the
Fluid Cell also provides a fines reservoir to harvest fines for
recombination back into the NST stream
The top five metres of NST cells are capped with Coarse Sand tails to facilitate
water expression from the NST deposit and accelerate establishment of a
trafficable surface.
During CST capping, NST production is suspended and Separate Stream
tailings production is temporarily resumed. The CST will be hydraulically
placed (beached) over the NST. During this process the TT will be placed in
the ETDA TT Cell. All TFT is pumped to the in-pit clarification cell.
The design properties of NST has a Sand to Fines Ratio (SFR) between 4:1
and 5:1 in order to establish a non-segregating product and maintain
pumpability. However, for the purposes of ensuring that there is no deficit in
fines availability to produce a viable NST product, an SFR of 7.5:1 has been
applied for planning purposes.
NST capped with CST will be deposited in three in-pit Cells.
•
Cell 1 receives NST from 2027 to 2035 and is CST capped in 2035
and 2036
•
Cell 2 is segmented with an intermediate (overtopping) dyke to allow
final clearing of the cell. Cell 2i filled with NST from 2036 to 2042.
The remainder of Cell 2 is filled with NST from 2042 to 2049, and CST
caped in 2049 and 2050.
•
Cell 3 receives NST from 2050 to 2054 and is CST capped in 2054
and 2055.
All Fluid Tails generated during in-pit operations will be pumped to the sole
clarification cell, Fluid Cell 1.
The Jackpine Mine - Phase 1 Application had selected Consolidated Tails as
the in-pit tailings technology. Since 2002, Shell has determined that NST is a
better composite product with more consistent fines capture in the deposit,
superior non-segregating properties, and has accelerated timing to a trafficable
surface.
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Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 2
A process flow diagram for the schemes tailings operations
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Section 2
Figure 2-1 – NST Process Flow Diagram
Warm Water
To Process
Fine Sand
Wate r To
Process
Coagulant
Cyclones
Thickener
Extraction
Tailings
Fluid Cell
Wate r and
Thin Fine
Tailings (TFT)
Coarse
Sand
Non
Segregating
Tailings
In-Pit DDA
Tailings Pump Box
Infrastructure
Tailings Stream
Beginning of Tailings
Process
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Section 2
Figure 2-2 – ETDA Process Flow Diagram
Warm Water to
Process
Cyclones
Thickener
Extraction
Tailings
Whole
Tailings and
Bypass
Tailings
Thickened
Tailings (TT)
Coarse Sand
Tailing
Pump Box
Thin Fine
Tailings
Wate r to
Process
ETDA MFT
Pond
MFT West
Dyke
Infrastructure
Tailings Stream
Process
11 of 70
External DDA –
Thickened Tailings (TT)
Cell
Section 2
Figure 2-3 – In-Pit Process Flow Diagram
Fine Sand
Thickener
Cyclones
Warm
Wate r
To Process
Extraction
Tailings
Whole
Tailings and
Bypass
Tailings
Coarse
Sand
Tailings
Pump
Box
Wate r To
Process
Thickened
Tailings (TT)
Wate r and
Thin Fine
Tailings
(TFT)
In-pit
Fluid Cell
Thickened
Tailings (TT)
Cell (DDA)
DDA
(In-pit Cell
Coarse Sand
Tailings Cap )
Infrastructure
Tailings Stream
Process
12 of 70
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 3
A mineable oil sands reserve table for the mine scheme that
includes
•
•
mine total waste, overburden and interburden
ore quality, bitumen grade, fines, sand, and water (as weight
percent of the ore) and recovered barrels
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Section 2
Table 2-1 Waste Material Balance
Year
Total
1
Waste
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020-2024
2025-2029
2030-2034
2035-2039
2040-2044
2045-2049
2050-2054
2055
(Mt)
54.8
44.8
40.2
39.6
40.9
48.2
40.6
43.9
46.2
51.6
254.8
252.6
254.6
248.0
247.0
268.5
218.8
41.5
Total
Dump Locations
Reclamation
Cell
Inpit
Inpit
Inpit
Inpit
WODA WODA WODA
Dump
2
Capping Phase Phase Phase EODA Dump Dump Dump Dump
Material
4
3
2
3
1
2
1
(Mbcm) (Mbcm) (Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm) (Mbcm) (Mbcm) (Mbcm) (Mbcm) (Mbcm) (Mbcm) (Mbcm) (Mbcm)
26.4
16.4
9.9
0.0
0.0
9.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
21.6
12.6
9.0
0.0
0.0
9.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
19.3
10.9
8.3
0.1
0.0
2.9
5.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
19.1
10.8
8.1
0.2
0.0
0.0
8.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
19.6
10.8
8.4
0.5
0.0
0.0
8.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
23.2
10.5
9.9
2.7
0.0
0.0
9.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
19.5
9.8
8.4
1.3
0.0
0.0
8.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
21.1
11.8
8.7
0.6
0.0
0.0
8.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
22.2
12.8
9.1
0.3
0.0
0.0
9.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
24.8
10.0
9.3
5.5
0.0
0.0
9.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
122.5
51.5
61.3
9.7
0.0
0.0
6.0
55.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
121.5
50.1
66.2
5.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
16.7
49.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
122.4
66.1
52.6
3.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
16.9
35.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
119.3
67.1
48.9
3.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
48.9
0.0
0.0
118.8
65.9
33.4
3.8
15.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
33.4
0.0
0.0
129.1
70.2
52.1
6.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
36.4
15.7
0.0
105.2
19.9
84.4
0.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
84.4
19.9
0.0
19.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
19.9
Total
Waste
2,236.8 1,075.4
Placed
Dyke
507.3
507.9
44.4
15.7
21.8
73.4
72.0
66.3
35.7
118.7
15.7
104.4
1: Total waste includes interburden and overburden, these material are not diffirentiated in the scheduling software and cannot be presented
individually
2: Reclamation material either stockpiled or direct placed
WODA
EODA
West Overburden Dump Area
East Overburden Dump Area
14 of 70
Section 2
Table 2-2 Mineable Oilsands Reserves and Production
Year
Total Ore
Mined
(Mt)
Total Ore
Rejects
(Mt)
Total Ore
Extraction
(Mt)
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020-2024
2025-2029
2030-2034
2035-2039
2040-2044
2045-2049
2050-2054
2055
38.3
56.8
60.7
60.6
65.9
64.5
59.1
56.5
59.1
61.6
313.5
312.0
302.5
308.2
306.3
317.1
300.7
21.2
1.4
2.1
2.2
2.2
2.4
2.3
2.1
2.0
2.1
2.2
11.4
11.3
11.0
11.2
11.1
11.5
10.9
0.8
36.9
54.8
58.5
58.4
63.6
62.2
57.0
54.4
56.9
59.4
302.1
300.7
291.5
297.0
295.2
305.6
289.8
20.4
Bitumen
(wt %)
12.3%
12.1%
11.4%
11.2%
11.1%
11.2%
12.0%
12.1%
12.7%
12.3%
11.5%
11.6%
11.9%
11.7%
11.7%
11.4%
11.6%
11.6%
Extraction Ore Quality
Water
Course
(wt %)
(wt %)
4.7%
76.7%
4.7%
76.7%
4.7%
73.3%
4.7%
72.5%
4.7%
75.1%
4.7%
75.2%
4.7%
77.3%
4.7%
76.0%
4.7%
76.1%
4.7%
76.3%
4.7%
76.3%
4.7%
75.3%
4.7%
76.5%
4.7%
75.9%
4.7%
74.5%
4.7%
75.0%
4.7%
74.3%
4.7%
75.3%
Totals
2,764.5
100.2
2,664.3
11.7%
4.7%
1: Fines measured in Laser then converted to Sieve Hydrometer
15 of 70
75.4%
Fines1
(wt %)
6.3%
6.6%
10.7%
11.7%
9.2%
8.9%
6.0%
7.3%
6.5%
6.8%
7.6%
8.5%
7.0%
7.8%
9.1%
9.0%
9.4%
8.5%
8.3%
Recovered
Barrels
(Mbbls)
17.3
32.6
35.2
32.9
34.7
35.0
37.1
34.6
38.4
38.9
182.5
182.5
182.4
182.6
182.4
182.5
182.5
16.5
1,630.7
Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 4
a production forecast for the life of the mine scheme by time period
including
• mined total waste
• mined ore, bitumen grade and recovered barrels of bitumen
• total tailings production by type
16 of 70
Section 2
Table 2-3 Tailings Production by Product
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020-2024
2025-2029
2030-2034
2035-2039
2040-2044
2045-2049
2050-2054
2055
Totals
CST
WT
TT
NST
TSRU
CST
(Mt)
21.2
30.9
32.1
32.1
35.8
35.2
32.7
30.9
32.4
33.8
172.2
59.8
0.0
32.8
0.0
29.4
34.3
11.5
WT
(Mt)
7.5
11.2
12.0
12.0
13.1
12.8
11.7
11.1
11.6
12.1
62.1
21.8
0.0
11.9
0.0
10.8
12.6
4.2
Plant Tailings
TT
(Mt)
1.3
2.7
3.9
3.9
3.5
3.1
2.2
2.4
2.3
2.6
14.1
5.5
0.0
2.8
0.0
2.9
3.5
1.1
NST
(Mt)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
165.7
252.8
205.0
247.8
214.0
191.0
0.0
TSRU
(Mt)
0.4
0.8
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
0.9
0.8
0.8
0.9
4.8
5.0
4.5
4.8
5.0
5.2
5.2
0.5
657.1
238.4
58.0
1,276.3
44.0
Coarse Sand Tailings
Whole Tailings
Thickened Tailings
Non-Segregating Tailings - Combined CST with TT
Tailings Solvent Recovery Unit
17 of 70
Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 5
A table of waste material (overburden and interburden) classified by;
• geological formation (Holocene, Pleistocene, Clearwater, McMurray, etc)
with associated volume and weight
• type and percent of material suitable for tailings impoundment
construction
• the amount projected for use in tailings impoundment construction
18 of 70
Section 2
Table 2-4 Dyke Construction Schedule
Year
Total
Mine
Waste
Total
Mine
Waste
Available
Construction
Material
Construction
Material Used
Projected
Percentage TT Pond
Used for
Starter
Tailings
Dyke
Impoundment
MFT1
Starter
Dyke
TT Pond
Centreline
Dyke
MFT1
Upstream
Dyke
MFT2
Shear
Key
MFT2
Starter
Dyke
(Mt)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(%)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
Initial
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020-2024
2025-2029
2030-2034
2035-2039
2040-2044
2045-2049
2050-5054
2055
54.8
44.8
40.2
39.6
40.9
48.2
40.6
43.9
46.2
51.6
254.8
252.6
254.6
248.0
247.0
268.5
218.8
41.5
26.4
21.6
19.3
19.1
19.6
23.2
19.5
21.1
22.2
24.8
122.5
121.5
122.4
119.3
118.8
129.1
105.2
19.9
20.5
15.7
13.7
13.5
13.4
13.8
12.3
14.7
16.0
12.5
77.2
82.4
87.1
83.9
82.4
87.8
72.9
13.8
16.4
12.6
10.9
10.8
10.8
10.5
9.8
11.8
12.8
10.0
51.5
50.1
66.1
67.1
65.9
70.2
19.9
0.0
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
77%
80%
80%
80%
80%
67%
61%
76%
80%
80%
80%
27%
0%
11.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
2.3
10.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.8
10.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.5
10.8
10.8
2.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Totals
2,236.8
1,075.4
733.6
507.3
69%
11.1
3.1
12.9
1.2
11.3
24.1
19 of 70
Section 2
Table 2-4 Dyke Construction Schedule continued
Dyke 1
Dyke 2
Dyke 3
Dyke 4
Crusher
Slot
Dyke
Dyke 5
Dyke 6
Perimeter
Dykes
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
(Mbcm)
Initial
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020-2024
2025-2029
2030-2034
2035-2039
2040-2044
2045-2049
2050-5054
2055
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
6.8
7.3
8.8
12.8
10.0
47.4
28.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.7
2.6
3.0
0.0
0.0
4.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
7.3
15.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
21.0
32.5
26.7
28.5
4.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
1.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
23.3
24.9
32.4
5.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
5.0
59.3
18.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.6
0.0
0.0
1.0
1.4
0.0
Totals
121.2
11.3
22.7
113.3
2.5
85.9
82.8
4.0
Year
20 of 70
Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 6
A table that schedules the source and destination of waste material by;
• mass and volumes, classifying material by structure
• material types- overburden, interburden, crusher rejects (or oversize),
and tailings- used for structures
• destination area, including DDA’s , external and in-pit waste disposal
areas, external and in-pit tailings impoundment structures, and
external and in-pit tailings areas
INFORMATION REQUESTED HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN TABLE 2-4 AS PROVIDED
WITH THE RESPONSE TO ITEM # 5
21 of 70
Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 7
A starting baseline for all structures, including the present elevations of
each waste material type within each structure
22 of 70
Section 2
Table 2- 5 2010 Baseline for Tailings Structures
MINE
Structure
Designed
Volume
(Mm3)
Placed
Volume
(Mm3)
Current
Elevation
(masl)
Remaining
Volume
(Mm3)
WODA Ph 1
WODA Ph 2
WODA Ph 3
EODA
TT Pond Starter Dyke
MFT1 Starter Dyke
MFT2 Starter Dyke
MFT2 Shear Key
23.1
73.4
72.0
66.3
15.8
17.6
24.1
11.3
5.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
4.7
14.5
0.0
0.0
318m
N/A
N/A
N/A
324m
332m
N/A
N/A
17.2
73.4
72.0
66.3
11.1
3.1
24.1
11.3
Pond
Designed
Volume
(Mm3)
Placed
Volume
(Mm3)
Current
Elevation
(masl)
Remaining
Volume
(Mm3)
TT Pond
MFT Ponds
150.8
466.0
0.0
0.0
324m
332m
150.8
466.0
TAILINGS
23 of 70
Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 8
A construction schedule, volume, and projected life span for each
tailings impoundment structure
24 of 70
Section 2
Table 2-6 Tailings Activities Schedule
Tailings
Impoundment
ETF - TT Pond
ETF - MFT1 Pond
ETF - MFT2 Pond
Cell 1
Fluid Cell 1
Cell 2i
Cell 2b
Cell 3
C/L Dykes
U/S Dykes
MFT
D#
TT
Dykes
Contain Dyke
TT C/L Dykes*, MFT1 West U/S Dyke*
MFT1 U/S Dykes
MFT2 U/S Dykes, MFT1 East U/S Dyke
D1, D2, Pit Wall
D2, Pitwall
D1, D3, D4a, D5a
D1, D4a, D4b, D5a, D5b, Pit Wall
D5a, D5b, D6, Pit Wall
Centre line Dykes
Upstream Dykes
Mature Fine Tailings
Dyke
Thickened Tailings
25 of 70
Start
Cell
Cell
Cell
2015
2015
2015
2015
2030
Finish
Cell
Cell
Cell
2029
2022
2039
2046
2051
Capacity
150.8
364.6
101.4
266.7
47.4
177.0
211.2
134.9
Pond
Start
2010
2010
2014
2027
2026
2037
2043
2051
Finish
2055
2027
2019
2037
2055
2043
2052
2055
Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 9
An illustration of fluid tailings impoundment and DDA capacity versus the
associated storage requirements
26 of 70
Section 2
Figure 2- 4 Fluid Inventory and ETDA DDA Capacity by Elevation
370
360
Elevation (masl)
350
340
330
320
310
300
2010
2015
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
2050
2055
Year
DDA Elevation
27 of 70
Tailings Elevation
TT)
Section 2
Figure 2- 5 Fluid Inventory and ETDA (TT) DDA Capacity by Volume
60
50
Volume (Mm 3)
40
30
20
10
0
2,005
2,010
2,015
2,020
2,025
2,030
2,035
2,040
Year
DDA Capacity
Tailings Storage Requirements
28 of 70
2,045
2,050
2,055
2,060
Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 10
Destination and description of each tailings type by structure, including
mass, volume, and components (water, fines, sand and bitumen as a
percent of ore)
29 of 70
Section 2
Table 2-7 Tailings Material Balance
30 of 70
Section 2
Table 2-7 Tailings Material Balance continued
31 of 70
Section 2
Table 2-7 Tailings Material Balance continued
32 of 70
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 11
A site wide tabulation and illustration of fluid inventory
33 of 70
Section 2
Section 2
Table 2-8 Site-wide tabulation of fluid tailings inventory
POND 2010 2011
3
3
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020- 2025- 2030- 2035- 2040- 2045- 2050- 20552024 2029 2034 2039 2044 2049 2054 2059
Mm
3.1
3.5
-
3
Mm
3.8
9.1
-
3
Mm
3.9
15.4
-
3
Mm
2.4
22.6
-
3
Mm
2.7
27.4
-
3
Mm
1.4
32.3
-
3
Mm
1.7
35.9
-
3
Mm
1.5
39.8
-
3
Mm
1.8
43.7
-
3
Mm
1.9
66.5
-
3
Mm
66.9
8.9
4.0
-
3
Mm
46.3
13.5
3.9
-
3
Mm
47.9
8.4
3.9
-
3
Mm
47.9
9.5
3.9
-
3
Mm
2.0
47.9
13.0
3.3
-
3
TT
MFT
FC 1
Cell 1
Cell 2i
cell 2b
Cell 3
Mm
0.5
1.7
-
Mm
0.0
52.1
25.1
3.3
Mm
0.6
52.1
26.6
0.6
Total
2.2
6.6
12.9
19.3
25.0
30.1
33.7
37.6
41.3
45.4
68.4
79.8
63.7
60.2
61.3
66.1
80.6
79.9
34 of 70
3
Section 2
Figure 2- 6 Site-wide tabulation illustration of fluid tailings inventory
90
80
70
50
40
30
20
10
Year
35 of 70
2054
2052
2050
2048
2046
2044
2042
2040
2038
2036
2034
2032
2030
2028
2026
2024
2022
2020
2018
2016
2014
2012
0
2010
Volume (Mm3)
60
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 12
A site wide fines and water balance
Section 2
SITE WIDE FINES BALANCE HAS BEEN INCLUDED WITH TABLE 2-8 IN THE
RESPONSE TO ITEM # 11
SITE WIDE WATER BALANCE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN Q2 2010
36 of 70
Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 13
Mine scheme development maps by reporting period, and a text
description of the major development activities as illustrated on each map
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Section 2
MINING AND TAILINGS SEQUENCES
2010 Period
Pre-production activities will continue at Jackpine Mine in the first half of 2010,
focusing on construction of the TT Pond Starter Dyke and MFT1 Starter dyke.
Suitable fill material for the two starter dyke structures will be sourced from
borrow areas within the mine footprint. All sourced borrow material will come
from overburden stripping, primarily consisting of quaternary sediments.
Commissioning and start-up of Jackpine Mine will occur in 2010. Lean oil
sands (ore less that 7 wt% bitumen) will be delivered to the plant for early
commissioning. Ore deliveries begin mid-year from the upper and mid-ore
benches immediately south and west of the crusher pocket, which have been
stripped of overburden as a borrow source.
Starter dykes will be raised to a design height to achieve containment for startup. The TT Pond will provide initial containment for:
•
CST and WT produced during the first three months of operation.
These tails will be bitumen and fines rich during commissioning and
considered unsuitable for upstream dyke construction in the
containment dykes for MFT1. These tails will be deposited off the
east side of the MFT1 West Dyke, producing a beach that will buttress
the MFT1 Dyke.
•
TT deposited in above water beaches when the Thickener becomes
fully operational
•
A minimal water pond required to locate the sump and pumping
equipment
The MFT1 Pond starter dykes will provide initial containment for:
•
Commissioning water and Basal Pond containment
•
Lost cell sand from early cell construction
•
Beaching of CST and WT during the first winter.
•
Pond for clarification and consolidation of TFT and a clear water cap
for plant reclaim
•
Freeboard to the pond level
In the second half of 2010, it is expected that the tailings circuit will reach
steady state production and separate stream tailings properties will normalize.
Cell construction will be focused on the upstream dykes for MFT1 Pond during
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Section 2
the remaining cell construction season. Beaching of CST and WT will
commence in MFT1 during the winter months. All TFT runoff will accumulate
within the beached deposits with a clear water cap maintained on top of the
pond for plant reclaim water. TT deposition to will commence after
approximately three months of plant operation.
Placement of suitable overburden borrow material will continue to the
downstream side of the TT starter dyke during early production. The TT Pond
and MFT1 Dykes will continue to receive suitable material throughout the year
in order to establish the containment requirements without the benefit of a full
cell construction season.
Mine waste will be placed in the West Overburden Dump Area (WODA) Phase
1. WODA Phase 1 is the area offset from Canterra Road to the west and
limited to a maximum elevation of 335 masl.
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Figure 2-7 - Mining Status 2010
40 of 70
Section 2
Section 2
2011 to 2013 Period
Ore and waste mining will continue south of the crusher pocket, advancing
west along the footprint of in-pit Dyke 1 and Dyke 2. Dyke footprint clearing
with an additional minimum clearance will establish an approximate 1,800 m
wide advance at the Base of Mineable Oil Sands (BMOS). The Fluid Cell 1
area south of the Ore Prep area and east of WODA will be completely cleared
to BMOS during this period.
Suitable material will continue to be placed in the TT Pond and MFT1 Pond
dykes to supplement a cell sand deficiency throughout 2011. By the end of this
period the majority of MFT2 starter dyke construction will be completed. The
preliminary design of this structure includes excavation of a shear key in target
sections along the starter dyke. The MFT2 starter dyke is designed to contain:
•
Lost cell sand from early cell construction
•
Beaching of CST and WT during the first winter
•
Sufficient Pond capacity to float the transfer barge
•
Freeboard to the pond level
CST and WT will be used to construct containment dykes during cell
construction season throughout this period. CST and WT will be discharged
into beach deposits in MFT1 during winter operations. All TFT, MFT and free
water will continue to pond within the beached deposits of both MFT Ponds.
TT will be discharged into beaches throughout the year with a minimal pond
established to continuously pump TFT and free water into MFT1 Pond.
WODA Phase 1 will be filled to capacity during this period, and dumping will
commence in WODA Phase 2. WODA Phase 2 design crosses Canterra Road
to the west to a temporary boundary. The WODA Phase 2 boundary is
established to allow completion of the resource delineation along the west side
of the ultimate WODA footprint.
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Section 2
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Section 2
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Section 2
Section 2
2014 to 2019 Period
Ore and waste mining will continue to advance west, targeting exposure of the
Dyke 1 footprint at BMOS to the east mining limit. Prestripping will reach the
southeast limit of the Cell 1 area in 2016. Prestripping will then turn to strip to
the south limit of Cell 1 and north to establish prestrip benches in the Cell 2
area.
MFT2 starter dyke construction will be complete in 2014. Upon completion of
the starter dyke, all suitable material will be utilized in-pit to construct Dyke 1
and Dyke 2, which will ultimately contain Cell 1 and Fluid Cell 1. Construction
of Dykes 1 and 2 will continue throughout this period.
MFT2 Pond will begin operation in 2014, operating in tandem with MFT1 Pond,
with an objective of raising MFT2 containment to the same elevation as MFT1,
resulting into a single pond and thereby eliminating the cross dyke separating
the two ponds. Alternating seasons of summer cell construction and winter
beach deposition will continue, with priority deposition focused in MFT2. All
TFT, MFT and free water will continue to pond within the beached deposits of
both MFT Ponds. TT discharge will continue to the TT Pond
Mine waste placement will continue in WODA Phase 2 throughout the period.
45 of 70
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Section 2
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Section 2
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Section 2
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Section 2
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Section 2
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Section 2
Section 2
2020 to 2024 Period
Ore and waste mining will complete clearing of the entire Cell 1 area. The
mine advance will turn north, with focus on clearing Dyke 3 and Dyke 4
footprints to BMOS, which will provide containment for Cell 2.
All suitable material available will be placed in Dykes 1 and 2. Dyke 2 will be
completed to design elevation, providing full containment for Fluid Cell 1. Dyke
1 will be tied into the east mine highwall to provide initial containment in Cell 1.
Some material placement will be required in the upper lifts at the east end of
Dyke 1 to complete construction to final design elevation.
MFT1 and MFT2 Ponds will be merged into a single MFT Pond. Alternating
seasons of summer cell construction and winter beach deposition will continue
to the MFT Pond. All TFT, MFT and free water will continue to pond within the
beached deposits of both MFT Ponds. TT discharge will continue to the TT
Pond
WODA Phase 2 will be filled to capacity during this period, and dumping will
commence in WODA Phase 3. WODA Phase 3 design extends to the ultimate
WODA limit and final design elevation.
52 of 70
Figure 2-17 - Mining Status 2020 to 2024
53 of 70
Section 2
Section 2
2025 to 2029 Period
Mine advance will continue north, with focus on clearing Dyke 3 and Dyke 4
footprints to BMOS.
All suitable material available will be placed in Dykes 1 and 4. Dyke 1 will be
completed to design elevation to provide full containment for Cell 1.
Construction of Dyke 4 will be commenced at the south end along the tie-in
with the mine highwall, adjacent to the Ore Preparation area.
Alternating seasons of summer cell construction and winter beach deposition
will continue in the ETDA until 2026, when the MFT Pond will reach final design
capacity. At this time, tailings production will be switched to NST technology,
with in-pit deposition into Cell 1. The NST will be deposited in Cell 1, with
continuous removal of TFT and free water from the cell, which will be pumped
to Fluid Cell 1 for clarification. TT discharge to the TT Pond will be suspended
when NST production starts. NST deposition to Cell 1 will continue through the
end of the period.
Mine waste placement will continue in WODA Phase 3 until it is filled to design
capacity. When WODA reaches final design capacity, dumping
will commence in the East Overburden Disposal Area (EODA). EODA design
limit is offset from the Cell 1 east-mining limit, overlaying the Pleistocene
Channel Aquifer between Jackpine Mine and Syncrude’s proposed Aurora
South Mine.
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Section 2
Section 2
2030 to 2034 Period
The mine advance will continue north, with focus on clearing Dyke 3 and Dyke
4 footprints to BMOS. The footprint will also be cleared for Dyke 3, which is an
intermediate (overtopping) dyke established to generate an intermediate
tailings containment within Cell 2, prior to the entire cell becoming available.
All suitable material available will be placed in four in-pit dykes. Dykes 4 and 5
will be constructed for Cell 2 containment. Dyke 3 is designed to adequate
height to provide initial containment for Cell 2-intermediate (Cell 2i), in
conjunction with the south sections of Dykes 4 and 5 (Dykes 4a and 5a). A
plug of construction material will be placed in the crusher pocket to seal off the
Ore Preparation area from the west side of Cell 2, necessitating a relocation of
the dump pocket. Construction of all four dykes will continue throughout the
period.
NST production will continue throughout the period with deposition in Cell 1.
All TFT and free water will be pumped to Fluid Cell 1 for clarification.
Mine waste placement will continue in EODA until it is filled to design capacity.
When EODA reaches capacity, dumping will commence in the in-pit dump
located in the southeast corner of Cell 2.
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Section 2
Section 2
2035 to 2039 Period
The mine advance will continue north, clearing out the remainder of Cell 2 to
the BMOS. The mine advance will then split to progress west and east from
Cell 2. The west advance will clear footprint to establish additional in-pit dump
space, and the east advance will clear footprint to establish Cell 3.
Suitable material placement will continue in Dykes 3, 4, 5 and the Crusher
Pocket Dyke. Dykes 3, 4a, 5a and the Crusher Pocket Dyke will be
constructed to final design elevation, providing full containment in Cell 2i.
Construction of the north section of Dykes 4 and 5 (Dykes 4b and 5b) will
continue to the end of the period.
NST production will continue with deposition in Cell 1 until 2035. At this time
NST production will switch to separate stream technology, with CST placed
over the NST to form the final (upper) 5 m of the Cell 1 deposit. CST capping
of Cell 1 will occur in 2035 and 2036, and all TT produced will be deposited in
the ETDA TT Pond. Upon completion of Cell 1 CST capping, tailings
production will switch back to NST technology with deposition in Cell 2i. All
TFT and free water will be pumped to Fluid Cell 1 for clarification.
All mine waste will be placed in an in-pit dump located in the northwest corner
of Dyke 4.
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Section 2
Section 2
2040 to 2044 Period
The west mine advance will progress to establish a footprint for expansion of
the in-pit dump in that location. The mine fleet will be reallocated to join the
remaining fleet on the east mine advance focused on clearing Dyke 6 footprint
at BMOS.
Suitable material placement will continue in Dykes 4b, and 5b. Both dykes will
be tied-in to the north mine highwall to establish containment in Cell 2. Some
material placement will be required in the upper lifts at the north end of both
dykes to complete construction to design elevation. NST production will
continue with deposition in Cell 2i until 2042. At this time NST deposition will
commence in the remainder of Cell 2 and continue through the end of the
period. All TFT and free water will be pumped to Fluid Cell 1 for clarification.
All mine waste placement will continue in an in-pit dump located in the
northwest corner of Dyke 4
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Section 2
Section 2
2045 to 2055 Period
The mine fleet will be split to advance east and west, clearing all of the
remaining mine footprint.
Suitable material will be placed in three in-pit dykes. Dykes 4b, and 5b will be
completed to final design elevation. Dyke 6 will be constructed to provide
containment for Cell 3, which is the final in-pit cell.
NST production will continue, with deposition in Cell 2 until 2049. The CST cap
will be placed over the NST 2049 and 2050. Upon completion of Cell 2 CST
capping, tailings production will switch back to NST technology with deposition
in Cell 3 from 2050 to 2054. The CST cap will be placed over the Cell 3 NST in
2054 and 2055. All TT produced will be deposited in the ETDA TT Pond. All
TFT and free water will be pumped to Fluid Cell 1 for clarification.
Mine waste will be placed in three in-pit dumps. The dump located in the
northwest corner of Dyke 4 will be filled to capacity. A dump will be established
along the east side of Dyke 6, and a berm fill dump will be constructed along
the ultimate west mine highwall adjacent to the Muskeg River.
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Section 2
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Section 2
Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 14
A summary of tailings water chemistry, seepage water
chemistry, and seepage water rates into the groundwater from
reports of groundwater and tailings monitoring programs
provided to AENV,
65 of 70
Section 2
SUMMARY OF TAILINGS WATER AND SEEPAGE WTER CHEMISTRY
Jackpine Mine Phase 1 is still in construction and therefore this tailings
management plan is being submitted in advance of any tailings deposition.
Once tailings deposition activities are underway details of water chemistry,
seepage water chemistry, and seepage water rates into the groundwater will be
provided in annual monitoring reports submitted to Alberta Environment.
66 of 70
Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 15
A description of the process for remediation or rehandling of
segregated fines within the DDAs within one year of
segregation
67 of 70
Section 2
REMEDIATION OR REHANDLING OF SECREGATED FINES
Any material not meeting the sand to fines ratio (SFR) of TT within JPM DDA 1
will be remediated in place such that it meets the strength criteria required by
Directive 074. Any fluids disaggregating from TT placed in JPM DDA 1 will be
pumped to the adjacent MFT cell, and recycled back into the NST production
process.
68 of 70
Section 2
ERCB
Directive 074
Appendix E
Item # 16
Planning assumptions and criteria used to support the tailings
management plan, such as fines distribution in the ore body,
tailings stream-specific gravities, tailings consolidation curves,
tailings deposition angles, and tailings impoundment design and
construction criteria
69 of 70
Stream
CST (cell/berm)
CST (beach)
TT
TSRU
WT (beached)
MFT
NST (on-spec)
NST (off-spec)
Beach
Above
Water
slope (%)
Beach
Below
Water
slope (%)
Dry
Density
N/A
2.5%
0.8%
0.1%
1.5%
N/A
1.0%
1.5%
N/A
6.6%
3.0%
10.0%
6.6%
N/A
4.0%
5.0%
1.69
1.51
0.85
0.93
1.51
0.37
1.62
1.55
(t/m³)
Section 2
% Fines to
TFT1
1: Planning was performed based on Sieve Hydrometer fines
TFT
Thin Fine Tailings
CST
Coarse Sand Tailings
TT
Thickened Tailings
TSRU
Tailings Solvent Recovery Unit
WT
Whole Tailings
MFT
Mature Fine Tailings
NST
Non Segregating Tailings
70 of 70
50%
50%
30%
40%
50%
N/A
20%
50%
Slurry
Density
Void ratio
(% solids)
55%
55%
51%
12%
47%
N/A
67%
57%
0.57
0.75
2.12
1.85
0.75
5.63
0.64
0.71
Page 1 of 11
Section 3
Page 2 of 11
Section 3
3.0
Section 3
TAILINGS MEASUREMENT PLAN SUBMISSION
Introduction
The information contained in this section of the Tailings Management Plan is in
response to the letter dated May 29, 2009 from the ERCB requesting Shell’s
plans for monitoring, measurement, and sampling that will be implemented to
enable reporting on the fines in oil sands feed and tailings as required in ERCB
Directive 074. The Measurement Plan described here will be applied similarly
for both the Muskeg River Mine (MRM) and the Jackpine Mine (JPM).
Routine sampling and measurement of the fines in the oil sands feed is well
established as described below and was provided to the ERCB in a letter dated
January 16, 2009 on Shell’s measurement practices. In contrast, the extensive
sampling and measurement of fluid and solid tailings deposits as required in
Directive 074, have not been conducted routinely. Therefore the specific plans
and methodologies for monitoring, sampling and measurement are still under
development. The plans and progress of this development are described
below.
Oil Sands Feed Measurement
The determination of volumes and characterization of ore and waste for
planning purposes are based on the results from a comprehensive sampling
and measurement plan within the orebody. These results are used to create a
computer-based geologic model that is referenced on a daily basis to
determine the volumes and characteristics of the mined ore and waste
materials.
Ore Measurement Plan
Geologic characterization of the orebody will follow a similar convention of
previous core drilling, core sampling and testing.
Field Execution:
The annual ore characterization drilling program begins with a review of
existing geologic information, followed by the execution of a winter field drilling
program consisting of several hundred coreholes for both the Muskeg River
Mine (MRM) and Jackpine Mine (JPM). The drill hole spacing begins at
approximately 400 m and decreases to a spacing of approximately 100 m in
advance of mining. The 100 m drilling grid density is required for detailed mine
planning and to further characterize the ore for processability. In areas of
increased geologic complexity, drill hole spacing may be reduced to 50 m to
improve data resolution.
Page 3 of 11
Section 3
Holes to characterize the Quaternary are drilled over each corehole from the
same pad and intersect the top of the McMurray Formation.
This process is illustrated in Figure 3.1: Overview of Quaternary and Oil Sand
Sampling.
Ore Characterization:
All coreholes are completed with a full suite of downhole wireline geophysical
logs consisting of gamma, resistivity and density logs. These logs are used for
depth corrections during the core logging phase as well as for ore
characterization.
All holes are cored from top of the McMurray Formation to the base of the last
significant occurrence of bitumen. In the 400 m drilling grid areas, holes are
cored to Devonian, while in the 100 m area, holes may be terminated in the
water bearing Lower McMurray Member.
Core Logging & Photography
The cores are transported to a core facility where they are frozen and
subsequently cut into 0.75 m lengths, and then slabbed or cut longitudinally
into two parallel pieces. One side of the cores are depth corrected with
resistivity logs. The cores are assigned facies according to the Shell oil sands
facies scheme and described for any anomalies within the facies. Facies
intervals can be 0.3 m or larger, though interval maximum is commonly 1.5 m.
This interval is a function of the complexity of the geology for a given area.
After logging, cores are photographed digitally with sample intervals noted.
Sampling
The second side of the slabbed cores are sampled from the top of McMurray
Formation to the last significant occurrence of bitumen. Samples are selected
by facies interval at the minimum 0.3 m interval, or can be composited to
between 0.5 m and 1.5 m for Dean Stark analysis of bitumen samples and up
to 3.0 m for particle size distribution. Sampling always remains within unique
consecutive facies intervals (i.e. non-unique facies boundaries are not
crossed). Occasionally samples are also tested for soluble ions (connate water
chemistry) and/or clays (methylene blue index, MBI).
Testing
Samples are tested for per cent weight bitumen using the Dean Stark analytical
method by difference. A quality assurance program is run in parallel with the
lab program. Every 20th sample is run in duplicate, with the second sample
Page 4 of 11
Section 3
tested for per cent weight bitumen using the Dean Stark method by closure.
The purpose of this duplicate test is to ensure internal lab repeatability. In
addition, for each core tested a reference sample is analyzed and results are
compared to known values for accuracy assessment of both Dean Stark
methods.
The sample retains from the Dean Stark test are either tested individually or
composited for particle size distribution (PSD) analysis up to 3 m intervals. As
with bitumen, each sample only consists of unique facies intervals.
PSD is currently determined using the laser diffraction methodology utilizing
Malvern Mastersizer 2000 (M2000) equipment. A correlation between the
M2000 laser diffraction and the ASTM sieve hydrometer methodologies has
been developed. This correlation is used to compile and report the fines data
on a consistent basis.
As noted in ERCB D-074, Appendix A, “Fines” is defined as:
“Fines: Mineral solids with particle sizes equal to or less than 44 µm based on
sieve-hydrometer analysis or a method approved by the ERCB.”
Therefore, Shell will review with the ERCB the M2000 laser diffraction
methodology and share the results of the sieve-hydrometer correlation study to
confirm the use of the laser diffraction method.
Continual Analytical Improvement
Consistent characterization of particle size distribution of bitumen saturated
granular material is challenging. Shell is continually looking for opportunities to
improve this process and will monitor industry development for improvements
to laboratory methods using alternate analyses.
Plant Feed
The ore feed from the mine faces into the plant is measured by weight or
volumes by field survey of the area mined, which are then correlated back to
the geologic model to determine ore characteristics including the fines content.
Feed from the ore stockpile is determined from truck counts assuming a
standard mass per load with characteristics including fines determined from
field sampling and testing.
The ore conditioning plant reject material is measured from truck count
assuming a standard mass per load and the characteristics including fines
determined from field sampling and testing.
Page 5 of 11
Section 3
Tailings Measurement Plan
Measurement of Tailings Deposits in DDA’s and Fluid Tailings Ponds
Since start up in 2002 Shell has focussed on monitoring the mudline as a
means of managing the volume of clear water above the mudline for plant
recycle at the External Tailings Facility (ETF). Therefore, methodologies for
monitoring, sampling and measurement in Dedicated Disposal Areas (DDAs)
and fluid ponds as required in ERCB Directive 074 are under development.
Fluid and solid deposits, as defined by ERCB criteria, are expected to be
present in both fluid ponds and DDAs.
Shell has undertaken an extensive trial measurement program at the MRM
External Tailings Facility (ETF) to test and compare several field procedures for
drilling, sampling and measurement of tailings materials and properties.
Experience and results from this program will form the basis for ERCB
reporting requirements, beginning in 2010.
Investigation of Methodologies for Field Sampling and Testing:
Figure 3.2 shows the scope of the 2009 MRM ETF trial program, with fieldtesting and sampling locations to be used for tailings monitoring, planning,
management and reporting to the ERCB. The methodology has two basic
components:
Fluid surfaces will be investigated using a grid approach; initial grids
will be 200 m by 200 m and will be adjusted as required to suit the
surface area to be investigated.
Sand dykes and beaches will be investigated using a cross section
approach starting from the dyke crest extending down the beach into
the pond.
Where possible, cross sections will align with cross sections required for
geotechnical assessment of dyke structures as shown in Figure 3.2 for the
MRM ETF. The field component of this program was completed in September
2009. Laboratory work will begin in October 2009. Programs for surveying fluid
ponds are described in general in the following text and will be adjusted for
each pond’s specific use, information need, and container geometry.
The fluid clear water to mudline contact will be probed from a boat on a grid
pattern of 200 m by 200 m, however this pattern has not been indicated in
Figure 3.2. The grid will overlap cross sections in some locations. Fluid tailings
samples will be collected at grid locations at regular intervals to pond bottom.
Sampling intervals will be determined for each fluid and solid tailings pond.
Page 6 of 11
Section 3
Samples were collected at 0.5 m intervals from the MRM ETF in the 2009 trial
program to provide a large sample baseline for investigation, however the
intervals would be increased when modelling indicates a higher degree of
deposit homogeneity. Several locations in the 2009 trial program are sampled
to assess field strength testing and sampling methods. Field strength tests
include Cone Penetration Test (CPT), Sonic Penetration Test (SPT), vane
shear and ball penetration tests. The sonic core and SPT sampler collect solids
samples. Grab samples are also taken from the surface of the beach or cell
where surface density testing is performed. Sonic core, piston sampler, wireline
sampler and suction sampler collect fluid and soft tailings samples.
Figure 3.3 shows the layout of MRM in-pit Cell 1, the first DDA for MRM. Insert
Figures 3A and 3B show a schematic of the locations for sampling fluids and
beaches in the DDA, respectively. The methodology follows the same used for
the MRM ETF, which is described at the beginning of this section.
Figure 3.4 shows the layout of JPM’s DDA, the thickened tailings pond. Insert
Figures 4A and 4B show the overall ETF layout and a schematic of the
locations for sampling fluids and beaches in the DDA, respectively. The
methodology follows the same used for the MRM ETF, which is described at
the beginning of this section.
Field Equipment
Safety of field personnel is paramount in completing tailings field investigations
using conventional and specialized investigation vehicles. Site conditions
range from solid and trafficable to fluid, potentially liquefiable surfaces with the
possible presence of volatile hydrocarbons. Therefore, investigations will not be
performed when suitable preventive safeguards are not in place or are not
feasible.
Aerial tailings deposits (cell sand, beach above water) will be investigated
along longitudinal cross sections from the cell or beach crest out to the fluid
pond as far as it is safe to use track mounted equipment.
The soft above water beaches close to the pond edge and the below water
beaches will be investigated by extending the cross section into the pond using
amphibious and or barge mounted equipment.
Page 7 of 11
Section 3
Sample and Data Collection
Common data is required from above water and below water deposits
including:
Particle size distribution
Density
Strength data (drained and/or undrained)
Pore pressure response
Changes with time
Sample frequency and density will be adjusted according to the results from
annual campaigns, complexity, and behaviour of the tailings deposit in
question. Shell’s initial approach will be to gather a robust initial data set and
scale up or down in future campaigns. Changes to the campaigns will be based
on technical assessment and justification.
Data will be presented in formats consistent with ERCB reporting requirements.
These will be determined in consultation with the ERCB.
Statistical methods will be applied to support broader deposit interpretations
from the trial program cross-sections and grid sample points.
Field and Laboratory Testing Methods and Procedures
Shell needs to evaluate and detail several test methods and laboratory
procedures. A program on the tailings test methods and laboratory procedures
is being initiated and will be completed to support submissions to the ERCB in
September 2010.
Page 8 of 11
Section 3
Figure 3.1
Overview of Quaternary and Oil Sand
Core
Auger Rig
or Sonic
S
S
Unit B
S
Unit C
S
Unit D
1.5 m
S
1.5 m
McMURRAY
(oil sand: ore or waste)
S
1.5 m
Set casing above
Cretaceous
Quaternary Minimum Sampling Requirements
Send to Lab A for:
•
Particle Size Distribution (sieve)
ASTM D 6913-04
•
Hydrometer if fines>10%
ASTM D 422-63
•
Moisture Content
ASTM D 2216-05
•
Atterberg limits if fines>10%
S
1.5 m
QUATERNARY
1.5 m
Unit A
Unit E
S1
S13
Min. 1.5 m
into Km
S
End of
auger
or
sonic
Unit G
1.5 m
Unit H
1.5 m
DEVONIAN
McMurray Minimum Sampling Requirements
Send to Lab B for:
•
PSD (laser)
•
Assay (Dean Stark Method)
1.5 m
S12
Unit F
1.5 m
S1
S
Note that the geological unit sampled governs the tests required and
hence the lab, not the drilling method.
S1 – S4 sent to Lab A
S5 – S13 sent to Lab B
Min. 3 m
into Dw
Clearwater will be tested at Lab A unless noted otherwise
End of core
Page 8 of 11
Section 3
Figure 3.2
Page 9 of 11
Section 3
Figure 3.3
Page 10 of 11
Section 3
Figure 3.4
Page 11 of 11

Shell Albian Sands - Jackpine Mine - Tailings Plans

Transcription

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