2009 Annual Tailings Plan Submission Syncrude Mildred Lake

2009 Annual Tailings Plan Submission
Syncrude Mildred Lake
(Leases 17 and 21)
Submitted to:
Energy Resources Conservation Board
Submitted by:
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Fort McMurray, Alberta
September 30, 2009
Table of Contents
1.0
Introduction .............................................................................................. 1
1.1 Current Operations (Leases 17/22) ........................................................ 1
2.0
Tailings and Mining Plans ....................................................................... 4
2.1 Tailings Management Strategy ............................................................... 4
2.2 Dedicated Disposal Area (DDA) Strategy............................................... 6
2.2.1 Current Operations.............................................................................. 6
2.2.2 Future Dedicated Disposal Areas........................................................ 7
2.2.3 Additional Activities ............................................................................. 9
2.2.4 Fines Management ............................................................................. 9
2.3 Reconciliation to Approved Plan........................................................... 10
2.4 Opportunities Under Consideration ...................................................... 10
3.0
Planning Details ..................................................................................... 11
3.1 Mining................................................................................................... 11
3.2 Tailings ................................................................................................. 14
3.2.1 Mildred Lake Settling Basin............................................................... 15
3.2.2 West In-Pit ........................................................................................ 15
3.2.3 East In-Pit ......................................................................................... 15
3.2.4 Southwest In-Pit ................................................................................ 15
3.2.5 Southwest Sand Storage .................................................................. 16
3.2.6 North Mine Future Storage................................................................ 16
3.3 Key Milestones ..................................................................................... 18
4.0
Construction Details .............................................................................. 27
4.1 Southwest Sand Storage: ..................................................................... 30
4.2 North-South Dyke ................................................................................. 30
4.3 East-West Dyke 1 and East-West 2 Dyke 2 ......................................... 33
5.0
Site Wide Material Balance.................................................................... 34
6.0
Water Chemistry..................................................................................... 38
6.1 Mildred Lake Settling Basin .................................................................. 38
6.2 Southwest Sand Storage Facility.......................................................... 38
6.3 In-Pit Tailings Facilities......................................................................... 39
List of Acronyms
AENV
ASB
bbl
bcm
BML
CDSA
CMFT
CT
C&R
DDA
EIP
EPL
ERCB
E/W Dyke
FGD
IB
masl
Mbbls
MBCM
MFT
MFTT
MLETB
MLR
MLSB
Mm3
Mt
NEP
NMCP
NMSP
N/S Dyke
NWQ
OB
O/F
PSPD
RCW
R&D
SCT
SEP
SWIP
SWSS
TFT
TV:BIP
µm
U/F
WIP
Alberta Environment
Aurora Settling Basin (referring to Aurora North)
Barrel
Bank Cubic Metre
Base Mine Lake
Canadian Dam Safety Association
Centrifuged MFT (centrifuge cake)
Composite Tailings
Conservation and Reclamation
Dedicated Disposal Area
East In-Pit
End Pit Lake
Energy Resources Conservation Board
East-West Dyke
Flue Gas Desulphurization
Interburden
Metres Above Sea Level
Million Barrels
Million Bank Cubic Metres
Mature Fine Tailings
Mature Fine Tailings Transfer
Mildred Lake East Toe Berm
Mildred Lake Reservoir
Mildred Lake Settling Basin
Million Cubic Metres
Million Tonnes
Northeast Pond (referring to the north portion of the EIP)
North Mine Center Pit
North Mine South Pit
North-South Dyke
Northwest Quadrant (of the Mildred Lake Base Mine)
Overburden
Overflow (referring to the CT Plant hydrocyclone overflow stream)
Plant Site Protection Dam
Recycle Water
Research and Development
Straight Coarse Tailings (or conventional coarse tailings)
Southeast Pond (referring to the south portion of the EIP)
Southwest In-Pit
Southwest Sand Storage
Thin FineTailings
Total Volume to Bitumen In Place
Micrometer
Underflow (referring to the CT Plant hydrocyclone underflow stream)
West In-Pit
1.0
Introduction
The 2009 Annual Tailings Plan for the Mildred Lake project is submitted in compliance
with Section 4.5.1 of Directive 074: Tailings Performance Criteria and Requirements for
Oil Sands Mining Schemes. The Mildred Lake project currently operates under ERCB
Approval No. 8573, as amended.
For ease of reference, a concordance table for Appendix E of Directive 074 is included in
Appendix 1.
1.1
Current Operations (Leases 17/22)
Syncrude’s oil sands activities at Mildred Lake include mining, extraction, froth
treatment, and bitumen upgrading. Processing at the Mildred Lake upgrader results in
the production of a bottomless, light sweet synthetic crude oil. Figure 1.1 provides a
schematic of the integrated Syncrude operation.
Oil sand mining at the Mildred Lake site uses truck and shovel surface mining
technology. The mining sequence consists of ore body and mineable pit delineation, tree
clearing, surface and basal aquifer dewatering as required, reclamation material
removal, overburden stripping, oil sand mining, in-pit placement of tailings and
overburden, and reclamation material placement. At present, approximately 105 million
tonnes of ore is mined annually at the Mildred Lake site. The majority of the ore is mixed
with hot water and delivered to primary extraction using hydrotransport technology.
Auxiliary production is transported by conveyor to primary extraction.
Separation of bitumen from oil sands is accomplished through warm water extraction
and froth treatment processes. The final bitumen product is a relatively clean heavy
hydrocarbon used as feedstock to the Syncrude upgrader.
Tailings, the materials remaining after bitumen is extracted from oil sands, is a mixture of
sand, silt, clay, water, and residual hydrocarbon. Tailings are distributed hydraulically via
a network of pipelines to a number of in-pit and out-of-pit placement areas. Syncrude
currently operates two out-of-pit tailings deposition areas at Mildred Lake: the Mildred
Lake Settling Basin (MLSB) and the Southwest Sand Storage (SWSS) facility. Dykes are
also constructed to subdivide mined out areas to utilize those areas for tailings
placement. Syncrude currently operates three in-pit tailings deposition areas at the
Mildred Lake site; the West In-Pit (WIP), East In-Pit (EIP), and Southwest In-Pit (SWIP)
tailings disposal facilities. A location map and simplified process flow diagram of tailings
systems currently in place at the Mildred Lake site are included in Figure 1.2.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 1 of 39
Figure 1.1 Overall Syncrude Process Flow
PLANT UTILITIES
Steam
Geological structure
Process
Byproduct
Utilities
Athabasca
River Water
Generator at Mildred Lake
and Aurora mines
Treated
Sanitary
Sewage
Oil sand
Midred Lake’s Base Mine
Utility Boiler
Potable
Potable
Water
Water
Oil Sand
Slurry
Dump pocket
Geological structure
Pipeline terminals and refineries
Mildred Lake’s Auxiliary Production System
Oil Sand
Slurry
Stack
Geological structure
Mildred Lake’s North Mine hydrotransport
Coke
Cells
CO Boiler
Screens
Precipitator
Water Treatment
Primary
Separation
To be replaced by
SER Project facilities
by
by 2009
2011 Bitumen Froth
Bitumen Froth
Cyclofeeder
Coke Silos
PSV
Froth
Blended product
to pipeline
Diluent
Geological structure
Inclined
Plate
Settler
Aurora’s
northoperation
operation
Aurora North
Mine Hydrotransport
Fluid
Cokers
DRU
Aurora’s Settling Basin (ASB)
at Aurora’s
northoperation
operation
Aurora North
Centrifuge
Froth
Tailings
Vacuum
Distillation
Unit
Geological structure
Southwest Sand
Storage (SWSS)
Sulphur
stock
pile
Mildred Lake Tailings
Settling Basin (MLSB)
LC-Finer
Aurora South
Aurora’s
southoperation’s
operation’s
tailings placement area
MINING
Sulphur
Water to Utilities
For Recycling
Aurora’s
southoperation
operation
Aurora South
Mine Hydrotransport
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Synthetic crude oil
storage and blending
Hydrotreaters
Tailings
Oil Recovery
Hydrogen Plant
Natural Gas
EXTRACTION
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
UPGRADING
DISTRIBUTION
Page 2 of 39
Figure 1.2 Location Map and Simplified PFD for Mildred Lake Facilities
Coke
Lines
STR73
MLSB
MFTT Plant 6
Barge A&B
Siphon
Plant 6C
RCW
Pond
Plt 6
Plt5
69
0
791
W1
Dump
691
W2
Dump
S1
EIP
System 10
S6
SWSS
S4
CT
SWIP
WIP
S2
WIP
Barge
MFT
Barge
S5
S6
Sys
te
m
3
Decant
79
0
SEP Return to WIP
SEP Dredge
Barge
SWSS Decant Line
Highway 63
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 3 of 39
2.0
Tailings and Mining Plans
2.1
Tailings Management Strategy
Tailings are stored in both out-of-pit and in-pit facilities. As advance of the mine face
makes in-pit storage available, containment dykes are constructed and tailings storage
facilities are established. Syncrude’s tailings disposal plan is integrated throughout all
mine areas to optimize the use of available storage capacity. The objectives of the
tailings management strategy are to maximize the use of in-pit capacity for CT and fluid
containment, minimize fluid transfer requirements, and ensure a reliable recycle water
supply for plant operations.
As per the current C&R Plan, the final landscape at the Mildred Lake site assumes the
establishment of two end pit lakes. The Base Mine Lake (BML), is currently nearing
completion and will be commissioned in 2012, and will serve as a demonstration of the
end pit lake (EPL) concept as a component of the closure landscape. When mining
operations are completed at the Mildred Lake site, the final landscape will result in the
creation of a second EPL at the north end of the North Mine. All remaining fluid
inventory (water, fluid fine tails) from the site will be stored in the North Mine EPL.
The Tailings Plan depends on large dykes to provide containment. These dykes are
licensed dam structures and must be designed to ensure geotechnical stability, per
Canadian Dam Safety (CDSA) and Alberta Dam Safety Branch standards. Dyke designs
may include the use of overburden, tailings sand, or a combination of both. Overburden
dykes are constructed using mobile equipment for material placement, while sand dykes
use standard tailings slurry cell construction techniques. Overburden dykes construction
often entails ‘zonation’ of material through the dyke cross section to maximize utilization
of available overburden material types. Both types of structures are closely monitored to
ensure the geotechnical design criteria are met.
Commercial scale Composite Tailings (CT) operation commenced at Syncrude in 2000
with CT deposition in the EIP facility. CT remains one of the primary technologies for
mature fine tails1 (MFT) management at Syncrude and is instrumental in achieving
targeted end of mine life MFT inventories.
To produce CT, coarse tailings are pipelined from the extraction plant to the CT plant,
where they are cycloned to produce a densified coarse tailings stream. The densified
coarse tailings stream is combined with MFT and gypsum to form CT. The CT product is
then transported hydraulically to the designated tailings disposal facility. Once deposited
in the pond, the mixture dewaters relatively rapidly, leaving a soft deposit that is capped
using coarse tailings sand to create a trafficable surface for reclamation.
Syncrude is proposing the implementation of MFT centrifuging technology to
complement CT as a fines management technology to reduce MFT inventory volumes to
those assumed in the Mildred Lake C&R Plan. Centrifuging MFT accelerates the
release of water from the MFT deposit and produces a soft, clay-rich soil termed
“centrifuge cake”. Syncrude proposes to sand cap the resulting centrifuge cake deposit
for reclamation as a dry landscape feature. The implementation of MFT centrifuging
technology is proposed to be executed in three stages; a commercial scale
1
Syncrude uses the terms mature fine tailings (MFT) and fluid fine tailings (FFT) interchangeably
to refer to a fluid deposit composed primarily of tailings fines (<44 micrometers) and water.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 4 of 39
demonstration to begin in 2012, the first phase of the commercial plant in 2015, and
further increase in conversion capacity in 2018.
Key tailings planning assumptions are included in table 2.1. The containment chart
shown in Figure 2.1 summarizes total tailings production and containment availability for
the Mildred Lake site.
Table 2.1 Key Tailings Planning Assumptions
Item
Unit
Mildred Lake
1
TVBIP ratio
2
Extraction Recovery
3
CT Sand to Fines Ratio
4
Water Inventory (Year End 2008)
Mm3
85
5
MFT Inventory (Year End 2008)
Mm3
412
6
BML Commissioning
7
Straight Coarse Tails Slurry Sg
Tonnes/m3
1.40
8
Flotation Tails Slurry Sg
Tonnes/m3
1.15
9
Froth Tails Slurry Sg
Tonnes/m3
1.12
10
CT Slurry Sg
Tonnes/m3
1.60
11
Beach above water slope
%
1%
12
Beach below water slope
%
4%
13
CT slope
%
0.5%
14
MFT Projected Consolidation
%
44.7% - 48.8%
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
12
90.40% - 92.80%
4:1
2012
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 5 of 39
Figure 2.1 Tailings Containment Chart for Mildred Lake
1739
2030
2028
2026
2024
2022
2020
2018
2016
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
0
Year End
1850
1850
Note: To better represent the go forward volumes, sand,
CT, and coke volumes have been zeroed at year end
2006 and 350 Mm3 of the total legacy MFT volume is
not shown for chart readability.
1550
1700
1550
1739
1700
1600
350
1500
350
1400
500
1300
500
1200
650
1100
650
1000
800
900
800
800
950
700
950
600
1100
500
1100
400
1250
300
1250
200
1400
100
1400
0
3
Cumulative Tailings Growth (Mm)
1700
Mine Tonnage (Mt)
Sand
CT
Centrifuge Cake
Coke
MFT
RCW
Contingency
Note: the Mildred Lake containment chart assumes approval of the SWSS Conversion Project application.
2.2
Containment volume available
Dedicated Disposal Area (DDA) Strategy
Syncrude is currently evaluating options to create dedicated disposal areas for
engineered tailings deposits concordant with the fines sequestration objectives of ERCB
Directive 074. The fines management technology portfolio for the Mildred Lake site
includes Composite Tailings (CT), MFT centrifuging, and MFT water capping in an endof-pit lake (EPL) facility. Syncrude’s management strategy prioritizes deposition of MFT
and engineered tailings deposits in mined out pits.
2.2.1
Current Operations
Syncrude is currently utilizing the EIP and SWIP facilities for the deposition of CT.
The EIP facility is a large beach deposit comprised of CT interlayered with coarse
tailings. A sand cap is being placed over the CT / coarse tailings beach deposit to attain
adequate bearing capacity for placement of reclamation material. CT deposition in the
EIP is expected to finish in 2011 and ongoing sand capping operations are scheduled to
be completed in 2014.
SWIP is divided into several discrete deposit areas. Overburden berms have been
constructed with intent to isolate coarse sand used in dyke construction from other
materials being stored in the SWIP facility. Initial CT deposition will be into an isolated
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 6 of 39
cell at the north end of SWIP. Thin fine tails will be pumped off of the deposit into the
main pond area of the SWIP facility. Once the isolated cell is full, CT deposition will
begin at the south end of the main SWIP area and progress north. Depending on
turbidity, water will be returned to the RCW pond to support plant operations or to
Mildred Lake Settling Basin (MLSB) for further clarification. SWIP will be utilized and
monitored as a test for the design and operation of a dedicated disposal area. Learnings
from this pond will be incorporated into the design, plans, and fines measurement
programs for future DDAs.
2.2.2
Future Dedicated Disposal Areas
Future areas being considered for designation as DDAs are shown in Figure 2.2.
Planning details are subject to change as the overall placement plan is optimized. DDA
plans will be submitted to the ERCB two years prior to the start of construction for each
DDA, as required by Directive 074.
DDA 1 is proposed to be established within the valley formed by the existing W1
overburden dump and the north face of the Southwest Sand Storage (SWSS). This area
is being considered as a placement area for centrifuge cake. The deposit formed will be
open-ended toward the SWSS facility. Water will be controlled through surface ditching
into the existing SWSS seepage control system. DDA1 will serve as the main deposit
area for centrifuge cake from the MFT centrifuging commercial demonstration and,
pending acceptable geotechnical performance, further deposition from the commercial
plant.
DDA 2 will be located within the mined out North Mine South Pit West [NMSP(West)].
Overall containment is provided by the North-South Dyke, a large earth filled dam, and
the final pit walls. Internal overburden berms are being considered to provide for the
segregation of tailings product in dedicated deposits. The initial CT deposit will be
contained between an overburden berm and the North South containment Dyke to form
a “blanket” on the dyke, part of the geotechnical design of this dyke. CT deposition will
continue within the pit area, with an operating philosophy to deposit CT and coarse
tailings at separate discharge locations. The CT and coarse tailings deposits will
interlayer at the interface. Some coarse tailings will also be interlayered within the CT
beach due to operating constraints and time required to react to changing plant
operating conditions. There will be an operating pond within this pit, and thin fine tailings
(TFT) will be returned via a barge system to either SWIP, the NMSP(East) or MLSB
depending on timing and containment space availability.
DDA 3 will be located within the NMSP(East). This DDA will use a single overburden
berm to provide isolation of the CT. When the CT plant is not operating coarse sand will
be directed to the south wall of the East-West Dyke structure to provide a sand blanket.
TFT will be pumped via a barge system back to a RCW pond being established in the
center of NMSP(East).
DDA 4 will be located within the North Mine Center Pit (NMCP) and is a site for either
centrifuge cake or CT. Current plans show the opportunity to establish a drying area
inpit sustainable for approximately 5 years before the area is utilized to contain tailings,
RCW or coke.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 7 of 39
Figure 2.2 Mildred Lake Proposed DDA Locations
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 8 of 39
2.2.3
Additional Activities
Fines management remains a focus for research and development (R&D) efforts at
Syncrude. R&D activities are concentrated on continuous improvement and reclamation
for the proposed fines management technologies (CT, MFT centrifuging and MFT water
capping) as well as continued exploration of new alternatives. Depending on the
success of this work, the future DDA plans may be adjusted to include new technologies
or adjustments to design and operating procedures.
2.2.4
Fines Management
Figure 2.3 displays estimated MFT inventory for the Mildred Lake Project assuming both
continued reliance on CT and the staged implementation of MFT centrifuging
technology. The use of MFT centrifuging technology in addition to CT will allow
Syncrude to reduce MFT inventories at the end of mine life to levels contemplated in the
approved C&R Plan. The remaining fluid fines inventory at the end of mine life will be
stored in two End Pit Lakes (EPL); namely the Base Mine Lake and the North Mine EPL.
Figure 2.3 MFT Inventory Curve
Mildred Lake MFT projections
600
500
MFT volume (Mm3)
400
300
200
100
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
2028
2032
2036
2040
2044
2048
Years
Note: the Mildred Lake containment chart assumes approval of the SWSS Conversion Project application.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 9 of 39
2.3
Reconciliation to Approved Plan
The tailings plan for the Mildred Lake site included in this submission is consistent with
the plan submitted as part of the SWSS Conversion Project application, currently before
the ERCB. Future submissions will reconcile to this submission.
The tailings plan included in this submission supports the landform and drainage
features included in the C&R Plan approved by AENV in 2007.
2.4
Opportunities Under Consideration
Syncrude will be updating its tailings management plans to reflect business / strategic
decisions being made. Opportunities currently under consideration that would potentially
result in changes to future tailings plans include:
o
o
o
Changes in mining rates in the North Mine from 2015 onward;
Mining to TV:BIP limits greater than 12.0 in some areas; and
Integration of the Aurora North and South projects.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 10 of 39
3.0
Planning Details
3.1
Mining
The North Mine development sequence is shown on Figure 3.1, with corresponding ore
production rates provided in Table 3.1. Table 3.1 also includes ore quality parameters
derived from the Syncrude geology block model. The North Mine advances west and
north until 2012 in order to expose dyke footprint areas in preparation for in-pit tailings,
while allowing for ore blending and dyke construction. After 2012 the west area is
complete and the mine progresses to the north. North Mine completion of mining at
these rates is in 2032.
The overburden and interburden disposal schedule is shown in Table 3.2. Rejects and
reclamation material volumes are not included in this table.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 11 of 39
Figure 3.1 North Mine Development Sequence
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 12 of 39
Table 3.1 Mine Plan Ore Summary
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
Ore
Grade
Water
Solids
Fines (<44u m)
Coarse solids (>44u m)
Recovered Bitumen
Million Tonnes
% (weight)
% (weight)
% (weight)
% (weight)
% (weight)
Barrels (per ID 2001-7)
116.9
120.6
113.3
117.6
92.9
49.2
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
31.6
10.6%
10.7%
11.0%
11.0%
10.8%
10.6%
9.9%
10.1%
10.8%
10.7%
9.4%
9.5%
9.8%
10.5%
10.4%
10.4%
10.3%
10.6%
10.6%
10.6%
10.6%
10.5%
10.9%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
3.6%
85.8%
85.7%
85.4%
85.3%
85.5%
85.7%
86.5%
86.2%
85.6%
85.7%
86.9%
86.9%
86.5%
85.8%
86.0%
86.0%
86.1%
85.8%
85.8%
85.7%
85.8%
85.9%
85.5%
24.0%
23.3%
22.2%
21.9%
23.2%
25.0%
25.0%
25.5%
21.9%
24.0%
28.0%
25.7%
23.2%
20.8%
20.0%
20.7%
21.7%
20.5%
22.0%
22.1%
21.0%
21.9%
19.9%
76.0%
76.7%
77.8%
78.1%
76.8%
75.0%
75.0%
74.5%
78.1%
76.0%
72.0%
74.3%
76.8%
79.2%
80.0%
79.3%
78.3%
79.5%
78.0%
77.9%
79.0%
78.1%
80.1%
69.3
72.3
69.7
72.8
56.3
29.3
27.1
28.0
30.1
29.9
24.9
25.3
26.7
29.5
29.0
28.9
28.5
29.7
29.6
29.7
29.6
29.2
19.2
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 13 of 39
Table 3.2 Mine Plan Waste Summary
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
3.2
Overburden (OB)
Interburden (IB)
Total OBIB
Million BCM
Million BCM
Million BCM
70.9
78.9
65.6
49.0
41.5
51.0
33.5
16.8
19.7
19.4
28.8
40.4
27.5
32.5
49.8
42.5
36.9
34.9
28.7
28.8
35.7
33.7
9.3
3.9
3.2
2.0
3.2
4.1
5.3
9.8
5.3
4.7
5.3
3.8
8.9
6.9
5.5
7.5
10.1
7.1
5.2
4.7
4.0
2.0
4.6
2.6
74.9
82.1
67.7
52.2
45.7
56.4
43.3
22.1
24.3
24.7
32.6
49.3
34.4
38.0
57.3
52.6
44.0
40.1
33.4
32.9
37.6
38.3
11.9
Tailings
The tailings production schedule is shown in Table 3.3. The tailings volumes shown in
the table represent final deposit volumes. Active tailings placement facilities currently
include the MLSB and SWSS out-of-pit facilites and the WIP, EIP, and SWIP in-pit
facilities.
The tailings disposal sequence at the Mildred Lake site balances fluid containment
needs and dyke construction, while incorporating key closure initiatives. The tailings
disposal schedule is closely integrated with the mine plan, in-pit tailings storage space
utilized as soon as it becomes available. The integrated tailings plan considers the
requirement for different pond functions such as: CT deposition, MFT storage, coke
storage and process water clarification. The tailings plan is based on the following key
assumptions:
o
Sand allocation consistent with the following priorities:
o
o
o
o
o
Containment construction,
Geotechnical beaching,
CT capping, and
Maximization of CT production with remaining sand.
Availability of additional fluid containment at the SWSS facility starting Q4 2009;
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 14 of 39
o
WIP transitions to BML in 2012;
o
Tailings placement in NMSP commencing 2014; and
o
Staged implementation of MFT centrifuging technology begins in 2012 with a
commercial scale demonstration.
Tailings deposit types and volumes for each facility are included in Table 4.3.
3.2.1
Mildred Lake Settling Basin:
The MLSB is used primarily as a fluid storage facility. It currently provides storage for
MFT, coke, flotation tailings (Stream 73), froth treatment tailings (Plant 6), and recycle
water for plant operations. Annual MFT transfers out of the facility are required to
maintain an adequate recycle water layer and the overall fluid elevation within the design
freeboard allowance for the structure.
Coke deposition will continue along the west side of MLSB until approximately 2026.
Stream 73 and Plant 6 tailings placement will continue along the south side and east
side of MLSB for an indefinite duration, maximizing beach infilling volume.
MLSB is planned to remain a primary source of recycle water for plant operation for an
indefinite duration. At closure, remaining fluid MFT and water from the MLSB will be
transferred to the North Mine EPL.
3.2.2
West In-Pit:
WIP will be converted to BML starting in 2012. Prior to 2012, annual MFT transfers from
MLSB to WIP are required to establish the required MFT inventory for the planned end
pit lake commercial demonstration. WIP remains a primary source of recycle water for
plant operation until the commissioning of BML in 2012. The creation of BML effectively
removes WIP from the tailings circuit at the Mildred Lake site. To function as planned,
BML must support fresh water inflows as well as an outflow. Final details of the inflow
and outflow requirements to sustain the lake are being determined as part of the BML
project development process.
3.2.3
East In-Pit:
EIP is currently an active deposition area for CT and coarse tailings beach. In 2011, the
EIP will have reached its final CT containment capacity. The EIP area will be capped
using hydraulically placed coarse tailings sand in preparation for reclamation and closure
of the facility. This activity commenced in 2008 and is scheduled to be completed in
2014. CT deposition and subsequent sand capping are being advanced from north to
south to permit progressive reclamation of the facility.
3.2.4
Southwest In-Pit:
The SWIP facility has commenced operation in 2007, with the transfer of MFT into the
facility. CT placement in SWIP is planned to begin in 2010. As CT placement comes to
an end in the EIP, SWIP will become the primary storage area for CT starting in 2011.
In addition to CT placement, some coarse tailings beaching is required along the
Southwest Dam on the east side of SWIP in order to meet geotechnical requirements.
SWIP will also provide temporary storage for MFT to ensure a sustained MFT supply to
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 15 of 39
the CT plant as the WIP is converted to BML in 2012. Prior to BML commissioning,
SWIP will also replace WIP as a primary source of recycle water for plant operations.
SWIP will be capped with sand starting approximately in 2018 in preparation for
reclamation and closure of the facility as a dry landscape unit.
3.2.5
Southwest Sand Storage:
Syncrude has submitted an application to AENV and ERCB to modify the SWSS dyke
design to create interim fluid containment capacity within the approved SWSS facility
footprint. MFT accumulation at the SWSS will be maximized in 2015. MFT will
subsequently be removed from the SWSS facility as sufficient tailings storage space
becomes available for fluid containment in the North Mine. Removal of the MFT out of
the SWSS facility by fluid transfer or through the MFT centrifuging process will begin in
2015. All fluids will be transferred out of the SWSS for closure and reclamation of the
structure as a dry landscape feature.
3.2.6
North Mine Future Storage:
The North Mine in-pit tailings dykes are to be constructed using overburden material.
The construction of the North Mine North-South Dyke began in 2007 and is to be
completed in 2014. The North-South Dyke is an intermediate dyke partitioning the
NMSP to allow for earliest tailings disposal in the North Mine area. The North Mine
East-West Dyke 1 and East-West Dyke 2 will also be constructed within the North Mine
to create the NMSP, the NMCP, and the EPL.
Tailings deposition in the NMSP will commence in 2014. Total tailings storage space
available in the NMSP is 600 Mm3. The smaller west portion of the NMSP facility will be
developed first (protected by the North-South Dyke) with the east portion of the NMSP
following as the primary in-pit space available. The NMSP will be utilized for the storage
of CT and coarse tailings materials. That facility will also provide MFT storage and serve
as a recycle pond to meet plant recycle water demand. Further details on proposed
DDA development in the NMSP are included in Section 2.2.2.
Closure plans for the NMSP are to transfer any remaining fluids to the NMCP, to provide
a sand cap and to reclaim the area as a dry landscape feature.
Deposition of tailings in the NMCP will be initiated as deposition in the NMSP nears
completion. Primary functionality of the NMCP will be as MFT and coke storage, as
mine operations at the Mildred Lake site near completion. It will also become the MFT
feed source for the centrifuge plant and a potential deposition area for centrifuge cake.
At completion, any remaining fluid from the NMCP will be transferred to the North Mine
EPL.
The North Mine EPL is planned to be the final mining area at the Mildred Lake site.
Once mining is complete, MFT will be transferred into the EPL from the NMCP and the
MLSB. The facility will be developed as a water capped MFT deposit, subject to the
validation of the BML demonstration.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 16 of 39
Table 3.3 Tailings Production Summary
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
2041
2042
2043
2044
2045
2046
Mildred
Mildred
Aurora
Lake
Lake Fines
Froth Fines
Production to Rejects
Coarse Tailings
Cyclone
Overflow
Cell
Beach
Total
CT
Flotation
Froth
Tailings Treatment
Tailings
Coke
Centrifuge
Cake
MFT
Water
(Cumulative) (Cumulative)
Fines Capture *
(by CT and CMFT)
Annually
Cumulative
Million
Tonnes/y
Million
Tonnes/y
Million
Tonnes/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3
Mm3
as % of fines
in Feed
Million
Tonnes
116.9
120.6
113.3
117.6
92.9
49.2
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
31.6
-
1.5
1.6
1.5
1.5
1.2
0.6
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.4
-
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.5
1.9
2.5
2.6
2.8
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.9
2.9
2.9
2.9
2.9
2.9
2.5
1.3
1.3
-
9.5
8.4
4.0
2.0
0.8
-
34.5
37.2
39.1
42.8
23.6
13.2
13.6
13.5
13.9
13.7
13.4
13.7
13.9
14.1
14.2
14.1
14.0
14.1
23.2
23.2
23.4
23.3
15.4
-
44.0
45.6
43.1
44.8
24.4
13.2
13.6
13.5
13.9
13.7
13.4
13.7
13.9
14.1
14.2
14.1
14.0
14.1
23.2
23.2
23.4
23.3
15.4
-
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
1.1
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
-
6.4
6.6
6.3
6.6
15.8
8.3
8.5
8.4
8.9
8.6
8.2
8.5
8.8
9.0
9.2
9.1
8.9
9.1
-
2.0
2.0
1.9
2.0
1.5
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.5
-
1.6
1.7
1.6
1.6
1.3
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.4
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.7
0.4
0.4
-
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.4
3.7
4.0
4.3
4.6
4.6
4.7
4.9
4.7
4.7
4.8
4.8
4.9
4.7
4.7
4.7
4.6
4.6
4.4
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.1
4.1
3.7
2.2
2.2
-
0.9
1.0
1.0
3.2
3.2
3.2
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.6
6.6
6.6
6.6
6.6
6.7
6.7
6.7
6.7
6.8
6.8
6.8
6.8
6.8
6.7
6.7
6.7
6.7
6.7
6.7
6.7
6.7
6.7
-
437.4
449.5
458.0
466.3
472.8
474.6
476.7
479.3
475.0
471.9
471.4
469.3
465.8
460.7
455.2
450.2
445.7
440.5
436.9
433.5
429.5
425.9
420.4
414.5
408.7
402.8
397.0
391.1
385.3
378.8
370.7
362.7
352.8
343.0
333.2
323.4
323.4
79.4
81.6
110.3
94.5
90.0
98.7
104.4
105.2
102.5
110.4
114.8
109.1
109.2
105.0
97.3
90.0
90.0
92.6
94.5
95.0
102.9
97.7
95.6
100.0
97.6
96.6
94.7
90.0
90.0
90.0
107.1
126.8
128.9
124.9
114.7
139.5
161.2
9.0%
9.3%
14.6%
14.8%
34.6%
58.4%
57.5%
56.5%
105.1%
94.8%
78.1%
86.9%
98.5%
113.3%
118.8%
114.4%
108.5%
116.2%
75.4%
75.2%
79.6%
76.5%
135.6%
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
2.0
4.1
7.1
10.1
16.0
21.8
27.6
33.5
42.6
51.7
60.7
69.9
79.1
88.5
97.9
107.3
116.7
126.2
132.8
139.4
146.1
152.8
159.5
166.2
172.9
179.6
186.3
193.0
199.7
206.4
213.1
219.8
226.6
233.3
240.0
246.7
246.7
* Fines Capture = (Weight of fines in CT + Weight of fines in centrifuge cake) / (Weight of fines in ore - Weight of fines in rejects)
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 17 of 39
3.3
Key Milestones
The integrated mining/tailings plan is illustrated for the years 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014,
2022, 2026, 2032 and 2046 in Figures 3.2 to 3.9. Fluid elevations are posted at each
relevant location.
Active tailings placement areas in 2009 (Figure 3.2) are MLSB, SWSS, EIP, WIP and
SWIP. The N/S dyke and E/W dyke 1 are being constructed in preparation for future
tailings containment. The W1 dump is the major location for hauling non-construction
mine waste.
In 2012 (Figure 3.3), progress is shown in building N/S dyke and E/W dyke 1 and
continued use of the active tailings placement areas. W4 dump footprint has been
established and it becomes the major location for non-construction mine waste.
Centrifuge Cake depositing begins at the north end of SWSS.
The 2013 status (Figure 3.4) shows EIP has been sand capped as part of closure
planning. The N/S dyke is being completed and E/W dyke 1 is progressing in
preparation for future tailings.
Figure 3.5 shows that in 2014 CT and coarse tailings beach are being placed in NMPSW.
By 2022 (Figure 3.6), E/W dyke 1 has been completed and CT and coarse tailings beach
are being placed in NMPS-E as well. Centrifuge Cake deposition has been established
in the North Mine. Construction of the E/W dyke 2 has begun and NIP Dump is a
primary location for non-construction mine waste.
Figure 3.7 shows that by 2026 E/W dyke 2 is complete and tailings is being placed in the
North Mine Center Pond (NMCP). Centrifuge Cake deposition continues in the NMSP.
North mine ore and waste removal is completed in 2032 (Figure 3.8). Tails storage
requirement continues to increase until 2046 due to Aurora North production as shown in
Figure 3.9. Centrifuge cake deposition continues in the NMCP until 2045. The End Pit
Lake is established at the north end of North Mine.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 18 of 39
4.0
Construction Details
The North Mine waste specification by construction material type is as shown in Table
4.1. The high spec. volume available is 65% of the total Kc bench and 50% of the total
Kcw bench and interburden. The medium spec. volume available is 65% of upper
overburden benches. The volume planned for placement in structures is also shown by
material type. The limited availabilities on total construction material to meet minimum
required geotechnical specifications account for weather and operational restrictions that
prevent placement in structures.
Table 4.1 Mine Waste Construction Material Schedule
High Spec.
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
Medium Spec.
Low Spec.
TOTAL WASTE
Available
Planned use
Available
Planned use
Available
Planned use
Available
Planned use
MBCM
30.9
32.0
28.4
22.6
19.4
22.9
20.2
11.8
12.6
11.0
13.1
18.4
12.4
11.6
16.9
17.1
14.6
13.5
11.7
11.0
10.6
11.0
2.5
MBCM
4.5
10.1
6.5
5.2
18.1
18.4
15.0
11.1
10.4
0.3
0.0
0.0
0.6
3.2
4.0
3.8
3.9
2.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
MBCM
15.3
18.6
14.0
10.1
8.9
11.9
5.6
1.1
2.0
3.8
7.1
11.9
8.5
12.0
18.9
15.1
12.6
11.5
9.1
9.5
13.4
12.9
4.8
MBCM
9.5
12.8
10.8
5.0
8.9
11.9
5.6
1.1
2.0
3.8
0.0
0.0
1.3
6.7
8.3
7.9
8.0
5.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
MBCM
28.7
31.6
25.3
19.6
17.4
21.5
17.4
9.1
9.8
9.9
12.4
19.0
13.5
14.4
21.6
20.3
16.7
15.1
12.6
12.4
13.7
14.4
4.6
MBCM
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
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
MBCM
74.9
82.1
67.7
52.2
45.7
56.4
43.3
22.1
24.3
24.7
32.6
49.3
34.4
38.0
57.3
52.6
44.0
40.1
33.4
32.9
37.6
38.3
11.9
MBCM
14.0
22.9
17.3
10.2
27.0
30.3
20.6
12.2
12.4
4.1
0.0
0.0
1.9
9.9
12.3
11.6
11.8
7.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
The North Mine Waste Disposal Schedule by placement area is shown in Table 4.2.
Miscellaneous material (misc.) includes BML Littoral Zone, Industrial Landfill, Flue Gas
Desulphurization Landfill, NWQ Diverter Dam, Hwy 63 Bridge Area/PSPD, and OB Berm
for Smart Sand.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 27 of 39
Table 4.2 Mine Waste Disposal Schedule
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
Dyke Construction
N/S Dyke E/W Dyke 1 E/W Dyke 2
MBCM
MBCM
MBCM
4.3
7.6
0.0
2.8
17.7
0.0
1.2
14.1
0.0
0.9
9.3
0.0
27.0
0.0
26.3
0.0
21.5
0.0
13.1
0.0
13.2
0.0
4.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.9
10.1
12.5
11.9
12.1
7.7
W1
MBCM
36.3
47.6
8.0
700
MBCM
0.0
0.4
0.9
24.2
12.2
Waste Dumps
600
W4
MBCM
MBCM
2.3
22.3
1.1
9.2
1.1
33.9
17.8
6.5
6.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
16.3
31.6
12.3
6.7
10.5
17.2
16.7
8.0
19.6
8.3
12.0
33.3
18.5
11.9
NIP
MBCM
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
10.4
21.8
9.0
11.1
4.3
1.0
37.0
25.8
17.5
27.6
24.0
23.9
12.9
25.0
16.5
Misc.
MBCM
2.1
3.5
8.5
0.0
0.0
13.0
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
4.3
4.3
19.8
0.0
Tailings disposal schedule by placement area is shown in Table 4.3. The breakdown is
by storage facility and material type. Values represent incremental deposit volumes
from 2010 onward (MFT and water are net volumes).
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 28 of 39
Total
Waste
MBCM
74.9
82.1
67.7
52.2
45.7
56.4
43.3
22.1
24.3
24.7
32.6
49.3
34.4
38.0
57.3
52.6
44.0
40.1
33.4
32.9
37.6
38.3
11.9
Table 4.3 Tailings Disposal Schedule
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
2041
2042
2043
2044
2045
2046
Mildred Lake Settling Basin (MLSB)
Plant 6 Stream
Coke
MFT
Water
Tailings
73
1.6
2.0
3.1
191.3
20.0
1.7
2.0
3.2
184.4
20.0
1.6
1.9
3.3
170.3
27.0
1.6
2.0
3.4
163.4
20.0
1.3
1.5
3.4
160.1
20.0
0.7
0.8
3.7
154.9
20.0
0.7
0.8
4.0
149.4
20.0
0.7
0.8
4.3
143.5
20.0
0.7
0.8
4.6
137.4
20.0
0.7
0.8
4.6
131.3
15.0
0.7
0.8
4.7
125.0
15.0
0.7
0.8
4.9
118.5
15.0
0.7
0.8
4.7
112.3
15.0
0.7
0.8
4.7
106.0
15.0
0.7
0.8
4.8
99.6
15.0
0.7
0.8
4.8
93.3
15.0
0.7
0.8
4.9
86.8
15.0
0.7
0.8
85.3
15.0
0.7
0.8
83.7
15.0
0.7
0.8
82.2
15.0
0.7
0.8
80.6
15.0
0.7
0.8
79.1
15.0
0.4
0.5
78.1
15.0
0.8
77.2
15.0
0.8
76.4
15.0
0.8
75.6
15.0
0.8
74.7
15.0
0.8
73.9
15.0
0.8
73.1
15.0
0.7
72.4
15.0
0.4
72.0
15.0
0.4
71.6
15.0
0.0
56.6
15.0
0.0
41.6
15.0
0.0
26.6
15.0
0.0
16.6
15.0
0.0
6.6
5.0
Southwest Sand Storage (SWSS)
SCT
MFT
Centrifug Water
e Cake
24.2
32.0
13.0
23.7
39.9
13.0
24.6
53.8
0.9
24.0
23.7
77.1
1.0
13.0
3.7
89.5
1.0
13.0
98.8
18.0
103.1
18.0
97.3
10.0
86.1
10.0
65.0
10.0
43.9
10.0
22.8
10.0
3.9
10.0
-
SCT
-
West In-Pit (WIP)
Cyclone
MFT
O/F
0.4
168.9
0.4
186.7
211.3
209.4
207.8
207.0
206.2
205.4
204.6
203.8
203.1
202.3
201.5
200.7
199.9
199.2
198.4
197.7
196.9
196.2
195.4
194.7
194.2
194.2
194.2
194.2
194.2
194.2
194.2
194.2
194.2
194.2
194.2
194.2
194.2
194.2
194.2
Water
CT
East In-Pit (EIP)
SCT
MFT
36.4
34.6
37.0
38.9
40.5
41.3
42.1
42.9
43.7
44.5
45.2
46.0
46.8
47.6
48.4
49.1
49.9
50.6
51.4
52.1
52.9
53.6
54.1
54.1
54.1
54.1
54.1
54.1
54.1
54.1
54.1
54.1
54.1
54.1
54.1
54.1
54.1
3.8
2.7
-
10.1
8.2
6.5
5.4
1.2
-
6.0
5.1
4.5
1.0
-
Water
2.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
-
Table 4.3 Tailings Disposal Schedule (continued)
Year
CT
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
2041
2042
2043
2044
2045
2046
2.5
4.0
6.3
6.6
3.2
4.1
4.3
-
Southwest In-Pit (SWIP)
SCT
Cyclone
MFT
O/F
9.7
39.2
13.7
33.4
12.1
0.4
18.1
15.7
0.4
15.5
17.1
1.1
14.7
9.2
0.6
11.9
9.5
0.6
8.1
9.5
8.5
11.1
8.8
11.0
5.4
10.7
3.0
8.2
2.0
8.3
2.0
8.4
8.5
-
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Water
CT
8.0
12.0
20.3
21.6
15.5
16.4
9.3
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
3.0
3.0
-
12.6
4.1
4.3
8.4
8.9
8.6
8.2
8.5
8.8
9.0
9.2
9.1
8.9
9.1
-
North Mine South Pond (NMSP)
SCT
Cyclone
MFT
Centrifug
O/F
e Cake
2.4
0.6
4.0
2.0
3.2
4.1
10.0
3.2
4.1
0.6
24.6
3.2
2.8
0.6
38.1
6.5
2.7
0.6
66.4
6.5
2.7
0.6
96.4
6.5
5.5
0.6
123.7
6.5
5.6
0.6
146.1
6.5
5.6
0.6
154.0
6.6
5.7
0.6
155.7
6.6
14.1
0.6
157.7
6.6
14.0
0.6
140.4
6.6
14.1
0.6
107.6
6.6
23.2
76.3
6.7
23.2
35.1
6.7
23.4
13.5
6.7
23.3
2.2
15.4
-
Water
1.0
3.0
15.0
27.3
23.9
35.9
39.6
33.1
34.4
39.4
33.9
25.9
20.1
22.0
23.1
17.9
20.1
9.1
-
North Mine Center Pond (NMCP)
Coke
MFT
Centrifug Water
e Cake
20.0
5.0
4.7
50.0
5.0
4.7
80.0
5.0
4.7
120.0
10.0
4.6
140.0
15.0
4.6
150.0
6.7
20.0
4.4
148.1
6.8
26.5
4.0
143.1
6.8
30.9
4.0
128.1
6.8
5.0
4.0
98.1
6.8
5.0
4.0
68.1
6.8
5.0
4.1
38.1
6.7
5.0
4.1
18.1
6.7
5.0
3.7
3.1
6.7
5.0
2.2
3.1
6.7
1.0
2.2
6.7
1.0
0.0
6.7
0.0
6.7
0.0
6.7
0.0
6.7
0.0
-
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
End of Pit Lake (EPL)
MFT
Centrifug Water
e Cake
10.0
23.5
34.9
22.5
59.9
20.6
84.9
15.9
99.9
15.9
109.2
15.9
101.4
37.0
96.8
56.8
102.0
59.8
107.2
55.8
112.4
45.6
112.5
70.4
122.5
102.1
Page 29 of 39
4.1
Southwest Sand Storage
Construction of the centerline dyke at the SWSS facility will be achieved through
conventional cell construction techniques using coarse tailings material. Centerline dyke
volume (crest elevation of 400 masl) is approximately 27 Mm3 with an estimated beach
volume of 70 Mm3, based on an average 28% cell capture for cell construction. The
construction of the dyke will be accomplished in four lifts from 2010 (390 masl) to
2013(400 masl).
4.2
North-South Dyke
The North Mine in-pit tailings dykes are to be constructed using overburden material.
The construction of the North-South Dyke began in 2007 and is scheduled for
completion in 2014. The North-South Dyke is an intermediate dyke partitioning the
NMSP to allow for earlier tailings disposal in the North Mine area, while protecting mine
equipment operating at pit bottom.
Figure 4.1 shows the current asbuilt for the North-South Dyke (refer to the 2009 status
map in Figure 3.2 for an overview of the entire North-South Dyke footprint configuration
relative to other features). A typical design cross section for the North-South Dyke is
illustrated in Figure 4.2.
The construction schedule for the North-South Dyke and other in-pit dykes is shown in
Table 4.4 below.
Table 4.4 Structure Construction Schedule
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
N/S Dyke
Volume
Elevation
MBCM
masl.
4.3
272 to 292
2.8
272 to 292
1.2
292
0.9
292
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
E/W Dyke 1
Volume
Elevation
MBCM
masl.
7.6
272 to 274
17.7
272 to 284
14.1
272 to 284
9.3
272 to 284
27.0
272 to 290
26.3
272 to 294
21.5
294 to 300
13.1
294 to 307
13.2
294 to 316
4.1
330
E/W Dyke 2
Volume
Elevation
MBCM
masl.
1.9
10.1
12.5
11.9
12.1
7.7
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
228
238
250
264
284
310
Page 30 of 39
Figure 4.1 North-South Dyke Asbuilt (Year End 2008)
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 31 of 39
Figure 4.2 North-South Dyke Typical Design Cross Section
292 m Elevation
Maximum Pond Elevation =285 m
1H:1V
285 m Elevation
1H:1V
50 m
184 m
7H:1V
Core
1 % Gradient
Smart
Berm
Beach Sand/CT
1H:1V
131 m
288.5 m Elevation
100 m
34 m
286 m
1.5H:1V
238 m
Interior
Shell
42m 50 m
Main
Shell
1.5H:1V
50 m 42m
12H:1V
All Weather Core
408 m
Approximate BOF = 258 m
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 32 of 39
4.3
East-West Dyke 1 and East-West Dyke 2
The East-West Dyke 1 and East-West Dyke 2 will be constructed within the North Mine
to create the NMSP, the NMCP, and the EPL. Table 4.4 has the yearly volume
placement and top elevation(s) of the in-pit structures. N/S dyke is scheduled for
completion in 2013 at 292 masl.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 33 of 39
5.0 Site Wide Material Balance
A projected site wide material balance is provided in Tables 5.1 to 5.3. The modeled
values are provided in three parts: Sand Management (> 44µ Solids Fraction), Fines
Management (< 44µ Solids Fraction and Mildred Lake Free (i.e. Recycle) Water
Management.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 34 of 39
Table 5.1 Site Wide Material Balance – Sand Management
Net Feed Sand
Sand in Slurry Streams
Sec.
Pri. Extract
Extract
Froth Treat.
Sand
Sand
Sand
Sand Management (> 44µ Solids Fraction)
Cycloned & Straight
Coarse Tails Sand
Sand to Deposits
NonSand to
CT (U/F)
Sand to
Cycloned
CT
Sand
Cyclones
SCT Cell SCT Beach Cyclone O/F Feedstock new MFT
Other Information
Float /
Sand in
% Sand to
Sand in feed (dry Mt)
Froth Tails Middlings MFT to CT CT Deposit CT process
Rejects
Mildred Lake Aurora N
Aurora S
MBBl
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
2010
69.3
76.17
0.63
6.15
65.46
2.84
2.34
56.95
8.51
12.14
43.91
0.55
7.95
0.99
2.31
2.80
0.13
8.09
13.0%
2011
72.3
79.18
0.60
6.34
68.10
2.93
2.42
59.25
8.85
10.70
47.61
0.57
8.27
1.03
2.38
2.89
0.14
8.42
13.0%
2012
69.7
75.20
0.61
5.94
64.86
2.75
2.26
56.43
8.43
5.19
50.35
0.54
7.88
0.98
2.23
2.71
0.14
8.02
13.0%
2013
72.8
78.39
0.59
6.17
67.61
2.85
2.35
58.82
8.79
2.55
55.34
0.57
8.21
1.02
2.31
2.81
0.15
8.36
13.0%
2014
56.3
61.06
0.66
0.08
4.88
52.79
2.26
1.86
31.68
21.12
1.02
30.16
1.36
19.74
0.59
1.83
2.22
0.32
20.06
40.0%
2015
29.3
31.63
0.66
0.28
2.58
27.80
1.20
0.99
16.68
11.12
16.42
0.72
10.39
0.31
0.97
1.18
0.14
10.53
40.0%
2016
27.1
32.41
0.64
0.35
2.64
28.50
1.23
1.01
17.10
11.40
16.83
0.73
10.66
0.32
1.00
1.21
0.14
10.79
40.0%
2017
28.0
32.11
0.62
0.45
2.64
28.31
1.23
1.01
16.98
11.32
16.72
0.73
10.58
0.32
1.00
1.21
0.13
10.71
40.0%
2018
30.1
33.43
0.64
0.53
2.63
29.73
1.22
1.01
17.84
11.89
17.56
0.76
11.12
0.33
0.99
1.20
0.16
11.28
40.0%
2019
29.9
32.58
0.63
0.52
2.63
28.88
1.22
1.01
17.33
11.55
17.05
0.74
10.80
0.32
0.99
1.20
0.14
10.93
40.0%
2020
24.9
31.28
0.63
0.53
2.65
27.54
1.24
1.02
16.52
11.01
16.26
0.71
10.29
0.31
1.00
1.22
0.10
10.39
40.0%
2021
25.3
32.27
0.63
0.52
2.65
28.52
1.24
1.02
17.11
11.41
16.84
0.73
10.66
0.32
1.00
1.22
0.12
10.78
40.0%
2022
26.7
33.23
0.62
0.52
2.64
29.47
1.24
1.02
17.68
11.79
17.40
0.76
11.02
0.33
1.00
1.22
0.14
11.16
40.0%
2023
29.5
33.99
0.62
0.52
2.63
30.26
1.23
1.01
18.16
12.11
17.87
0.78
11.31
0.34
1.00
1.21
0.16
11.48
40.0%
2024
29.0
34.40
0.62
0.52
2.63
30.67
1.23
1.01
18.40
12.27
18.11
0.79
11.47
0.34
1.00
1.21
0.17
11.63
40.0%
2025
28.9
34.11
0.63
0.52
2.63
30.38
1.23
1.01
18.23
12.15
17.94
0.78
11.36
0.34
1.00
1.21
0.16
11.52
40.0%
2026
28.5
33.72
0.61
0.53
2.64
29.99
1.23
1.01
17.99
11.99
17.71
0.77
11.21
0.33
1.00
1.21
0.15
11.36
40.0%
2027
29.7
34.08
0.63
0.52
2.63
30.36
1.23
1.01
18.21
12.14
17.93
0.78
11.35
0.34
1.00
1.21
0.16
11.51
40.0%
2028
29.6
33.46
0.64
0.51
2.63
29.74
1.23
1.01
29.74
29.27
0.51
0.99
1.21
0.0%
2029
29.7
33.39
0.64
0.51
2.63
29.67
1.23
1.01
29.67
29.20
0.50
0.99
1.21
0.0%
2030
29.6
33.86
0.64
0.51
2.63
30.14
1.23
1.01
30.14
29.67
0.51
1.00
1.21
0.0%
2031
29.2
33.55
0.64
0.51
2.63
29.83
1.23
1.01
29.83
29.36
0.51
1.00
1.21
0.0%
2032
19.2
21.62
0.65
0.49
1.66
19.69
0.78
0.64
19.69
19.37
0.33
0.63
0.76
0.0%
2033
0.64
0.50
1.13
0.02
1.12
0.0%
2034
0.61
0.52
1.13
0.02
1.11
0.0%
2035
0.62
0.51
1.13
0.02
1.11
0.0%
2036
0.62
0.51
1.13
0.02
1.11
0.0%
2037
0.64
0.49
1.13
0.02
1.12
0.0%
2038
0.62
0.51
1.13
0.02
1.11
0.0%
2039
0.45
0.52
0.97
0.02
0.95
0.0%
2040
0.49
0.49
0.01
0.48
0.0%
2041
0.50
0.50
0.01
0.49
0.0%
2042
0.0%
2043
0.0%
2044
0.0%
2045
0.0%
2046
0.0%
Net Sand Feed Balance: [Sand in Feed] - [Rejects] = [Primary Extraction Sand] + [Secondary Extraction Sand] + [Froth Treatment Sand]
Complete Sand Balance: [Primary Extraction Sand] + [Secondary Extraction Sand] + [Froth Treatment Sand] = [Cell] + [Beach] + [Cyclone O/F] + [Cyclone U/F (CT Feedstock)]] + [Sand to new MFT] + [Froth Tails] + [Float / Middlings Tails]
Construction Sand Balance: [Primary Extraction Sand] = [Non-Cycloned Sand] + [Sand to CT Cyclones]
Sand in CT Deposit Balance: [CT Deposit Sand] = [Cyclone Feedstock Sand (U/F) to CT] + [Sand in MFT to CT]
% Sand to CT Process = [Sand to CT Cyclones] ÷ [Primary Extraction Sand] (which is *approximately* the cyclone overflow + the cyclone underflow feedstock)
Year
Recovered Bit
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 35 of 39
Table 5.2 Site Wide Material Balance – Fines Management
Fines Management (<
< 44µ Solids Fraction)
Fines to Deposits
Fines in Suspension
Year
Recovered Bit
Total Site
Rejects Fines
MFT
Site MFT
Inventory
(Start)
New TFT
Fines
Fines in
MFT to CT
Fines
consumed
in
Centrifuge
Cake
Site MFT
Inventory
(End)
Cell/Beach
Fines
CT (U/F)
Feedstock
O/F;
Flotation;
Froth
Fines
New Fines in Feed (dry Mt)
MBBl
Mildred Lk. Aurora N
Aurora S
(dry Mt)
% solids by w t.
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
2010
69.3
24.06
1.63
1.54
0.48
257.73
11.50
1.14
268.09
11.28
0.89
0.49
2011
72.3
24.10
1.57
1.58
0.48
268.09
11.34
1.23
278.21
11.36
0.88
0.50
2012
69.7
21.51
1.60
1.49
0.49
278.21
10.04
1.22
0.92
286.11
10.33
0.79
0.47
2013
72.8
21.95
1.53
1.54
0.49
286.11
10.12
1.30
0.93
294.00
10.54
0.79
0.48
2014
56.3
18.44
1.70
0.20
1.22
0.49
294.00
10.21
2.86
0.94
300.41
6.18
2.15
0.57
2015
29.3
10.51
1.73
0.73
0.65
0.49
300.41
6.80
1.22
3.13
302.86
3.78
1.41
0.33
2016
27.1
10.82
1.65
0.90
0.66
0.49
302.86
7.02
1.24
3.15
305.50
3.90
1.46
0.34
2017
28.0
11.00
1.61
1.17
0.66
0.49
305.50
7.30
1.17
3.16
308.48
3.97
1.51
0.34
2018
30.1
9.37
1.66
1.36
0.66
0.50
308.48
6.35
1.48
6.35
307.00
3.72
1.34
0.33
2019
29.9
10.26
1.65
1.36
0.66
0.50
307.00
6.94
1.29
6.37
306.29
3.89
1.45
0.33
2020
24.9
12.19
1.63
1.37
0.66
0.50
306.29
8.28
0.91
6.40
307.26
4.21
1.69
0.35
2021
25.3
11.16
1.65
1.35
0.66
0.50
307.26
7.54
1.14
6.43
307.23
4.06
1.56
0.34
2022
26.7
10.05
1.62
1.35
0.66
0.50
307.23
6.75
1.38
6.45
306.15
3.85
1.41
0.33
2023
29.5
8.91
1.60
1.36
0.66
0.50
306.15
6.00
1.60
6.48
304.08
3.62
1.27
0.32
2024
29.0
8.58
1.62
1.36
0.66
0.50
304.08
5.80
1.68
6.51
301.69
3.55
1.23
0.32
2025
28.9
8.89
1.65
1.34
0.66
0.50
301.69
6.00
1.61
6.53
299.56
3.62
1.27
0.32
2026
28.5
9.32
1.59
1.39
0.66
0.50
299.56
6.28
1.52
6.56
297.76
3.71
1.33
0.33
2027
29.7
8.80
1.63
1.34
0.66
0.51
297.76
5.94
1.62
6.59
295.50
3.60
1.26
0.32
2028
29.6
9.43
1.65
1.32
0.66
0.51
295.50
5.37
6.61
294.26
6.21
0.17
2029
29.7
9.49
1.67
1.31
0.66
0.51
294.26
5.42
6.64
293.04
6.23
0.17
2030
29.6
9.02
1.67
1.31
0.66
0.51
293.04
5.11
6.66
291.48
6.08
0.17
2031
29.2
9.40
1.67
1.32
0.66
0.51
291.48
5.36
6.69
290.15
6.21
0.17
2032
19.2
5.36
1.68
1.28
0.41
0.51
290.15
3.63
6.70
287.08
4.17
0.11
2033
1.66
1.29
0.51
287.08
2.78
6.71
283.16
0.16
2034
1.58
1.35
0.51
283.16
2.76
6.71
279.21
0.16
2035
1.62
1.32
0.51
279.21
2.77
6.71
275.28
0.16
2036
1.62
1.32
0.51
275.28
2.77
6.71
271.34
0.16
2037
1.66
1.29
0.51
271.34
2.78
6.71
267.41
0.16
2038
1.61
1.33
0.51
267.41
2.77
6.71
263.47
0.16
2039
1.17
1.34
0.51
263.47
2.37
6.71
259.13
0.14
2040
1.27
0.51
259.13
1.20
6.71
253.62
0.07
2041
1.30
0.51
253.62
1.22
6.71
248.13
0.07
2042
0.51
248.13
0.00
6.71
241.42
2043
0.51
241.42
0.00
6.71
234.71
2044
0.51
234.71
0.00
6.71
227.99
2045
0.51
227.99
0.00
6.71
221.28
2046
0.51
221.28
0.00
221.28
Fines in Suspension (MFT) Balance: [Site MFT Inv. (Start)] + [New TFT Fines] - [Fines in MFT to CT Process] - [Fines concu
umed in centrifugation] = [Net Site MFT Inventory (Ending)]
New Fines Balance: [New Fines in Feed] - [Reject Fines] = [New TFT Fines] + [Cell/Beach Fines] + [Cyclone U/F Fines to CT
T] + [Cyc. O/F; Froth; & middlings Fines]
Fines in CT Deposit Balance: [CT Deposit Fines] = [Fines in MFT to CT] + [Cyclone U/F Fines to CT]
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Centrifuged
MFT 'cake' CT Deposit
fines
Fines
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
0.92
0.93
0.94
3.13
3.15
3.16
6.35
6.37
6.40
6.43
6.45
6.48
6.51
6.53
6.56
6.59
6.61
6.64
6.66
6.69
6.70
6.71
6.71
6.71
6.71
6.71
6.71
6.71
6.71
6.71
6.71
6.71
6.71
6.71
-
2.02
2.10
2.01
2.09
5.02
2.63
2.70
2.68
2.82
2.73
2.60
2.69
2.79
2.87
2.91
2.88
2.84
2.88
-
CT SFR
Ratio
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
Page 36 of 39
Table 5.3 Site Wide Material Balance – Water Management
Mildred Lake Free (i.e. Recycle)
Water Management
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
2041
2042
2043
2044
2045
2046
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Free Water
Inventory
Recovered Bit
(start)
(Mm3)
MBBl bit
69.3
78.67
72.3
79.36
69.7
81.62
72.8
80.33
56.3
64.53
29.3
60.00
27.1
68.67
28.0
74.39
30.1
75.19
29.9
72.53
24.9
80.37
25.3
84.85
26.7
79.13
29.5
79.18
29.0
75.01
28.9
67.29
28.5
60.00
29.7
60.00
29.6
62.64
29.7
64.50
29.6
65.02
29.2
72.94
19.2
67.70
65.61
69.95
67.56
66.63
64.74
60.00
60.00
60.00
77.10
96.84
98.89
94.94
84.72
74.49
Net
New Free
Water
(Mm3)
0.70
2.25
(1.29)
(15.80)
(4.53)
8.67
5.73
0.80
(2.66)
7.83
4.48
(5.71)
0.05
(4.18)
(7.71)
(7.29)
2.64
1.86
0.52
7.92
(5.24)
(2.09)
4.34
(2.39)
(0.94)
(1.89)
(4.74)
(0.00)
0.00
17.10
19.74
2.04
(3.95)
(10.22)
(10.22)
(13.31)
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Free Water
Inventory
(end)
(Mm3)
79.36
81.62
80.33
64.53
60.00
68.67
74.39
75.19
72.53
80.37
84.85
79.13
79.18
75.01
67.29
60.00
60.00
62.64
64.50
65.02
72.94
67.70
65.61
69.95
67.56
66.63
64.74
60.00
60.00
60.00
77.10
96.84
98.89
94.94
84.72
74.49
61.18
Page 37 of 39
6.0 Water Chemistry
Syncrude maintains a network of surface water sampling points and groundwater
monitoring wells to identify any impact that the tailings facilities, sulphur storage, special
waste interim storage, proposed Flue gas de-sulphurization (FGD) landfill and sewage
treatment areas may have on groundwater quality. Monitoring is focused on the
geologic units with the greatest potential for contaminant transport. The groundwatermonitoring network has been divided into eight separate areas based on geology and
potential contaminant sources. Data gathered on surface water samples from both
potential sources and receptor areas are considered as the results pertain to each area.
Trend of key parameters over time and the relative concentrations of major ions are
routinely examined. Elevated chloride concentrations and/or naphthenic acids are useful
tracers of process water.
A summary of the monitoring program in place in the vicinity of tailings facilities is
provided below. For further details regarding groundwater monitoring at the Mildred
Lake site, refer to the “2008 Groundwater Monitoring Report – Syncrude Mildred Lake
Site”, submitted to AENV on March 15, 2009.
6.1
Mildred Lake Settling Basin
MLSB covers an area of approximately 30 square kilometers. Significant natural
topographic changes occur to the east of the MLSB. The geology east of MLSB varies
significantly from the toe of the tailings structure to the Athabasca River. At the top of
the escarpment near the MLSB, glacio-fluvial sands and gravels range in thickness from
zero to fifteen meters. This fluvial deposit is generally underlain by glacial till which can
be over fifteen meters thick. The surficial Pleistocene sand and gravel deposit has the
greatest potential for contaminant transport east of the MLSB. This deposit forms a
generally continuous unconfined aquifer from the east side of the MLSB to the east side
of T-Pit. The aquifer is vertically bound by the underlying till, oil sand or limestone
aquitard. Contaminant migration is expected to be limited through the underlying units,
due to their low hydraulic conductivity.
The groundwater monitoring network east of the MLSB consists of eighty-one monitoring
wells. In general, the groundwater flow direction is to the east, from the MLSB to the
Athabasca River escarpment. At the base of the first significant drop in the escarpment
(T-Pit area), groundwater flow changes toward the south.
A pumping remediation strategy east of the Mildred Lake East Toe Berm (MLETB) was
initiated in 2003 to stop the progression of a groundwater plume. The objective of the
six pumps and a sump is to intercept and retard the migration of contaminant within the
source zone. The pumping strategy has been successful in intercepting and retaining
the plume within the source zone.
6.2
Southwest Sand Storage Facility
The geologic sequence below the SWSS typically consists of muskeg, glacio-lacustrine
clay, till, Clearwater Formation clays, and McMurray Formation oilsand. North of the
SWSS, a buried glacio-fluvial channel is incised into the Clearwater Formation and
underlies the till. The glacio-lacustrine clay deposit present in most areas has a low
hydraulic conductivity (10-8 to 10-10 m/s). This minimizes the risk of process water
influencing groundwater quality around the SWSS. The buried Pleistocene G-Pit
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 38 of 39
channel north of the SWSS is the most significant hydrogeologic feature in this area,
having a hydraulic conductivity in the range of 10-4 to 10-5 m/s. Overall groundwater flow
around SWSS is toward the northeast, following the topography. Locally around the
SWSS, there may be flow outward from the tailings structure and will be intercepted by
the toe ditch. The concentrations in the groundwater wells installed upstream and
downstream of the groundwater flow direction at SWSS are in line with historic trends.
6.3
In-Pit Tailings Facilities
WIP and EIP continue to be used for tailings disposal. The geology of the Base Mine
typically consists of Devonian limestone underlying the McMurray Formation. The
Clearwater Formation conformably overlies the Upper McMurray. Near the centre of the
WIP, the Beaver Creek channel cuts through the Clearwater Formation into the Upper
McMurray. West of the Beaver Creek channel, the Clearwater Formation increases in
thickness to approximately twenty meters at the west end of the WIP. Anywhere from
one to five meters of glacio-lacustrine clay and till overlies the Clearwater clays. The
BML wells of the in-pit groundwater monitoring are restricted to deep flow paths (44 to
81 meters) through the Lower McMurray Formation water sand and Devonian
Waterways Formation (limestone). Five wells were drilled in 2003 to monitor
groundwater quality in surficial sand aquifer in-between the highway and Mildred Lake
Reservoir (MLR).
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Page 39 of 39
Appendix 1
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Appendix
Concordance Table: Directive 074 Appendix E – Mildred Lake Project
Section
Introduction
1
2
Description
Cross-Reference
(Section)
Submission document
Beginning in 2009, an annual tailings management
plan for the next calendar year must be submitted
by September 30 each year.
The plan must include annual projections for the first Sections 3.1, 3.2, 4.0, and
ten years, followed by five-year intervals to the end
5.0
of the scheme.
This plan must include:
a description of the tailings management plan and
any deviations from the approved tailings plan for
the entire mine scheme;
a process flow diagram for the scheme’s tailings
operations;
Sections 2.1, 2.3, and 3.2
Figures 1.1 and 1.2
a mineable oil sands reserves table for the life of the
mine scheme that includes:
mine total waste, overburden, and
interburden, and
Tables 3.1 and 3.2
ore quantity, bitumen grade, fines, sand,
and water (as a weight per cent of the ore),
and recovered barrels of bitumen;
a production forecast table for the life of the mine
scheme by time period, including
Table 3.1
3
4
mined total waste,
Table 3.2
mined ore, bitumen grade, and recovered
barrels of bitumen, and
Table 3.1
total tailings production by type;
Table 3.3
a table of waste material (overburden and
interburden) classified by:
5
geologic formation (Holocene, Pleistocene, Waste material provided as
Clearwater, McMurray, etc.) with associated
high/med/low spec,
volume and weight,
Table 4.1
type and per cent of material suitable for
Section 4.0 and
tailings impoundment construction, and
Table 4.1
the amount projected for use in tailings
impoundment construction;
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Section 4.0 and
Tables 4.1 and 4.2
Appendix
Section
Description
Cross-Reference
(Section)
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,
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
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;
a starting baseline for all structures, including the
present elevation of each waste material type within
each structure;
a construction schedule, volume, and projected life
span for each tailings impoundment structure;
an illustration of fluid tailings impoundment and DDA
capacity versus the associated storage
requirements;
Volume available:
Table 4.1
Volume to structures:
Table 4.2
Tailings:
Tables 3.3
Mine Waste:
Section 4.0 and
Tables 4.1
Tailings:
Table 4.3
Mine Waste:
Table 4.2
Sections 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3
Table 4.3
Figure 2.1
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);
a site-wide tabulation and illustration of fluid tailings
inventory;
site-wide sand, fines, and water balance;
Tailings Types:
Table 3.3
Tailings by Structure:
Table 4.3
Figure 2.3 and
Table 3.3
Tables 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3
mine scheme development maps by reporting
period, and a text description of the major
development activities as illustrated on each map;
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;
a description of the process for remediation or
rehandling of segregated fines within the DDAs
within one year of segregation;
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
any other information that the ERCB requires.
Section 3.3 including
Figures 3.2 to 3.9
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Mildred Lake
Section 6
DDA Strategy:
Section 2.2
Table 2.1,
Sections 3.2,
and 4.0
Appendix