Syncrude Annual Tailings Plan Submission

2009 Annual Tailings Plan Submission
Syncrude Aurora North
(Leases 10, 12 and 34)
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 10/12/34) ................................................... 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........................................................ 6
2.2.3 Additional Activities ............................................................................. 8
2.2.4 Fines Management ............................................................................. 8
2.3 Reconciliation to Approved Plan............................................................. 9
2.4 Opportunities Under Consideration ........................................................ 9
3.0
Planning Details ..................................................................................... 10
3.1 Mining................................................................................................... 10
3.2 Tailings ................................................................................................. 13
3.2.1 Aurora Settling Basin: ....................................................................... 14
3.2.2 Aurora North Future Storage:............................................................ 14
3.3 Key Milestones ..................................................................................... 16
4.0
Construction Details .............................................................................. 28
4.1 Aurora Settling Basin:........................................................................... 31
4.2 Dyke 1E and N ..................................................................................... 31
4.3 Dyke 1W ............................................................................................... 31
4.4 Dyke 2 .................................................................................................. 31
5.0
Site Wide Material Balance.................................................................... 35
6.0
Water Chemistry..................................................................................... 39
List of Acronyms
ACPNE
ACPNW
ACPS
AENV
AEP
AEPCD
AEPN
AEPNE
AEPNW
AEPS
AN
AS
ASB
AWPS
bbl
bcm
CT
C&R
DDA
ERCB
EPL
FFT
FHD
IB
masl
Mbbls
Mbcm
MFT
ML
Mm3
MR
Mt
NS
OB
O/F
RCW
R&D
SCT
TFT
TR#
TT
TV:BIP
µm
U/F
Aurora Center Pit Northeast
Aurora Center Pit Northwest
Aurora Center Pit South
Alberta Environment
Aurora East Pit
Aurora East Pit Closure Dam
Aurora East Pit North
Aurora East Pit Northeast (merges with AEPNW to form AEPN)
Aurora East Pit Northwest (merges with AEPNE to form AEPN)
Aurora East Pit South
Aurora North
Aurora South
Aurora Settling Basin
Aurora West Pit South
Barrel
Bank Cubic Metre
Composite Tailings
Conservation and Reclamation
Dedicated Disposal Area
Energy Resources Conservation Board
End Pit Lake
Fluid Fine Tailings
Fort Hills Dump
Interburden
Metres Above Sea Level
Million Barrels
Million Bank Cubic Metres
Mature Fine Tailings
Mildred Lake
Million cubic metres
Muskeg River
Million Tonnes
North-South
Overburden
Overflow (referring to the CT Plant hydrocyclone overflow stream)
Recycle Water
Research and Development
Straight Coarse Tailings (or conventional coarse tailings)
Thin Fine Tailings
Train #
Thickened Tailings
Total Volume to Bitumen In Place
Micrometer
Underflow (referring to the CT Plant hydrocyclone underflow stream)
1.0
Introduction
The 2009 Annual Tailings Plan for the Aurora North project is submitted in compliance
with Section 4.5.1 of Directive 074: Tailings Performance Criteria and Requirements for
Oil Sands Mining Schemes. The Aurora North project currently operates under ERCB
Approval No. 10781, 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 10/12/34)
Syncrude’s oil sands activities at Aurora North include mining operations and bitumen
froth production. Further processing of the bitumen froth 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. A location map for the
facilities at the Aurora North Project is provided in Figure 1.2.
Oil sand mining at the Aurora North 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 117 million
tonnes of ore are mined annually at the Aurora North site. The ore is mixed with hot
water and delivered to primary extraction using hydrotransport technology.
Separation of bitumen from oil sands is accomplished through warm slurry extraction.
Bitumen froth produced at Aurora North is pipelined to the Mildred Lake site where it is
blended with Mildred Lake froth prior to froth treatment for further removal of water and
solids in froth treatment. 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 placement areas. Syncrude currently operates one out-ofpit tailings deposition area at Aurora North: namely, the Aurora Settling Basin (ASB).
Syncrude will begin in-pit tailings deposition at the Aurora North site in the Aurora East
Pit North East (AEPNE) in 2010.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
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: Aurora North
UPGRADING
DISTRIBUTION
Page 2 of 39
Figure 1.2 Location Map for Aurora North Facilities
Line 2
Line 3
Floats line
RCW line TR1
RCW Line TR2
Ramp 4
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
Cell 57
Cell 58
Cell 56
Ramp 3 Sump
Cell 59
Ramp 3
Ramp 5
Cell 55
ACTIVE
ASB
Muskeg River
Sump
Cell 60
Pond 3
Cell 54
Cell 61
North Seepage
Cell 53
Cell 62
Cell 63
ACTIVE
Ramp 2
Cell 52
Ramp 6
RCW
Pond
ACTIVE
Ramp 1
South Seepage
Tailings
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 3 of 39
2.0
Tailings and Mining Plans
2.1
Tailings Management Strategy
Tailings are currently stored out-of-pit in the ASB facility. As advance of the mine face
makes in-pit storage available, containment dykes are being constructed and in-pit
tailings storage facilities 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 minimize fluid transfer
requirements, ensure a reliable recycle water supply for plant operations, and maximize
the future use of in-pit capacity for CT and fluid containment.
Dykes are licensed structures and must be designed to ensure geotechnical stability.
Based on material availability, 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 dyke construction often entails zonation of
material through the dyke cross section to maximize utilization of overburden materials
available. Both types of structures are closely monitored to ensure the geotechnical
design criteria are met.
The tailings technology portfolio for the Aurora North Project includes CT and water
capped mature fine tailings1 (MFT) in an End Pit Lake (EPL), pending validation of the
technology via the Base Mine Lake demonstration at the Mildred Lake site. Commercial
scale Composite Tailings (CT) deposition is scheduled to begin in 2013 at Aurora North,
with placement of CT in Aurora East Pit North (AEPN). CT remains one of the primary
technologies for 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.
The current mass balance assumes the implementation of a supplementary fines
management technology to complement CT at Aurora North, beginning in 2018. The
supplementary technology is represented in the current tailings model as Thickened
Tailings (TT); with a portion of the TT stream utilized as the fines feedstock for the CT
plant. Syncrude is currently evaluating a number of fines management technologies; a
thorough technology selection process will be utilized to come to a decision on the
technology to implement to supplement CT at Aurora North. Technologies being
considered include, but are not limited to, TT, centrifuged MFT, and accelerated MFT
dewatering.
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 Aurora North site.
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: Aurora North
Page 4 of 39
Table 2.1 Key Tailings Planning Assumptions
Item
Unit
Aurora North
1
TVBIP ratio
12
2
Extraction Recovery
3
CT Sand to Fines Ratio
4
Water Inventory (Year End 2008)
Mm3
34
5
MFT Inventory (Year End 2008)
Mm3
56
6
Straight Coarse Tails Slurry Sg
Tonnes/m3
1.45
7
Flotation Tails Slurry Sg
Tonnes/m3
1.21
8
CT Slurry Sg
Tonnes/m3
1.60
9
Beach above water slope
%
1%
10
Beach below water slope
%
4%
11
CT slope
%
0.5%
12
MFT Projected Consolidation
%
39.3% - 44.0%
90.40% - 93.37%
4:1
Figure 2.1 Tailings Containment Chart for Aurora North
2038
2036
2034
2032
2030
2028
2026
2024
2022
2020
2018
2016
2014
2012
2010
3200
3200
2800
2800
2400
2400
2000
2000
1600
1600
1200
1200
800
800
400
400
4000
3800
3600
3400
3200
3000
2800
2600
2400
2200
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
0
200
0
0
Cumulative Tailings Growth (Mm3)
2007
Year End
Mine Tonnage (Mt)
Sand
CT
Thickened tails
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
MFT
RCW
Contingency Space
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Years
Containment volume available
Page 5 of 39
2.2
Dedicated Disposal Area (DDA) Strategy
Syncrude is currently evaluating options to create dedicated disposal areas for fines
capture technologies concordant with the fines sequestration objectives of ERCB
Directive 074. The fines management technology portfolio for the Aurora North site
currently includes Composite Tailings (CT) and MFT water capping in an end-of-pit lake
(EPL) concept. A supplementary fines management technology is also assumed to
complement fines capture from CT; the current mass balance assumes thickened
tailings for planning purposes, but the final technology selection decision has not yet
been completed. The management strategy prioritizes deposition of MFT and
engineered tails deposits in mined out pits.
2.2.1
Current Operations
Tailings field operations flexibility and containment construction within the DDA are key
planning considerations in the design and operating strategy of these tailings disposal
areas. Prior to start up for the CT plant at the Aurora North site in 2013, Syncrude
continues to rely on conventional dykes and beach construction using coarse tailings at
the Aurora Settling Basin and at in Aurora East Pit West (AEPW) beginning in 2010.
2.2.2
Future Dedicated Disposal Areas
Dedicated disposal areas (DDA) at the Aurora North site are shown in Figure 2.2.
DDA 1 is planned to be operated within the Aurora East Pit Northwest (AEPNW) mining
area. This area is contained by the insitu pit walls on the north and west sides and an
overburden dyke to the South and a sand dyke to the East. The pit will initially contain
coarse tailings to support the dyke construction and the strategy to establish a trafficable
surface as early as possible. Upon startup of the CT plant, CT will be deposited in the
area until DDA 2 becomes available. As the CT placement shifts to DDA 2, DDA 1 will
remain as the deposit area for coarse sand when the CT plant is not operational. Thin
fine tailings (TFT) from DDA 1 will be returned via pumps or gravity drains to AEPNE.
DDA 2 located in the Aurora East Pit South (AEPS) and is contained by insitu walls on
the East and South and overburden dykes constructed on the North and West sides.
This DDA will be a CT deposit. Fluids will be returned via a barge to Aurora East Pit
Northeast (AEPNE).
DDA 3 – is located in the Aurora East Pit North (AEPNE). This area is contained by
insitu walls to the north and east, an overburden dyke to the south and a sand dyke to
the west. This pit is the first inpit area to be completed by mining, but will initially serve
as the primary TFT collection pond and will not be used as a DDA until later in the plan.
Collected fluids will be transferred to ASB for clarification and water recycle. Placement
of sand during tailings line or CT plant outages is also planned. Subsequent placement
includes CT and sand capping.
DDA’s 4 through 7 are developed in sequence with mine advance and subsequent in-pit
volume availability. All of these DDA’s utilize overburden dykes to provide containment.
Placement of engineered tails is concurrent with sand capping activities. Sand will also
be required for the construction of the East pit closure dam. The TFT storage pond will
be relocated in sequence with DDA development. This fluid will be transferred to the
plant or to ASB for clarification. DDA’s 4,5 and 6 are located along a common lease
boundary with other lease operators. Syncrude is currently working with these operators
to develop common lease boundary plans and will adjust the DDA’s plans accordingly.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 6 of 39
Figure 2.2 Aurora North Proposed DDA Locations
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 7 of 39
2.2.3
Additional Activities
Fines management remains a focus area for Research and Development (R&D) efforts
at Syncrude. R&D activities are concentrated on continuous improvement and
reclamation for the existing fines management technologies (CT, MFT centrifuging and
MFT water capping) as well as continued exploration of new alternatives. Depending on
R&D results, the future DDA plans may be adjusted to include other technologies for
fines capture.
2.2.4
Fines Management
Figure 2.3 displays estimated MFT inventory for the Aurora North Project assuming both
continued reliance on CT and the staged implementation of supplementary fines
management technology. The remaining fluid fines inventory at the end of mine life will
be stored into an EPL facility.
Figure 2.3 MFT Inventory Curve
Aurora North MFT projections
250
MFT volume (Mm 3)
200
150
100
50
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
2028
2032
2036
2040
2044
Years
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 8 of 39
2048
2.3
Reconciliation to Approved Plan
The tailings plan for the Aurora North site included in this annual submission uses the
material balance submitted to the ERCB on 25 October 2007 as a starting point;
incorporating the following changes to reflect technology selection and development
timing at Aurora North:
o
CT production beginning in 2013 (as noted in the text of the 2007 letter);
o
Application of the supplementary fines management technology (TT)
delayed to 2018; and
o
Overall efficiency of the TT facilities adjusted down to 80% from 100%.
Future submissions will reconcile to this Tailings Management Plan 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
o
Changes in mining rates in the North Mine from 2015 onward;
Potential integration of the Fort Hills Dump design with the AEPN DDA designs;
Mining to TV:BIP limits greater than 12.0 in some areas; and
Integration of the Mildred Lake and Aurora South projects.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 9 of 39
3.0
Planning Details
3.1
Mining
The Aurora North Mine development sequence is shown on Figure 3.1, with
corresponding ore production rates provided in Table 3.1. Ore quality parameters based
on the Syncrude geology block model are also included in Table 3.1.
Aurora North Mine advance in 2010 is confined to the East Pit, prioritizing development
of dyke footprint areas in preparation for in-pit tailings while allowing for ore blending and
dyke construction. Also in 2010 the Center Pit overburden removal begins.
The south end of the East Pit is completed in 2013 while Center Pit mining commences
in 2011, advancing north. Beyond 2022 Center and West Pit development continues
south and west. Completion of mining occurs in 2039.
The waste disposal schedule is shown in Table 3.2. Rejects and reclamation material
volumes are not included in this table. This plan assumes a new out-of-pit dump being
developed northeast of the existing Fort Hills Dump, the Area 2 Dump. Syncrude has
recently reassessed out-of-pit dump alternatives and is currently planning on moving
ahead with an expanded FHD instead of constructing the Area 2 Dump as shown in this
plan. An application is planned to be submitted to the ERCB in Q4 2009.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 10 of 39
Figure 3.1 Mine Development Sequence
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 11 of 39
Table 3.1 Mine Plan Ore Summary
Ore
Grade
Water
Solid
Fines (<44μ m)
Coarse solids (>44μ m)
Year
Million Tonnes
% (weight)
% (weight)
% (weight)
% (weight)
% (weight)
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
122.0
126.0
121.0
121.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
126.0
94.9
11.3%
10.7%
11.2%
10.9%
11.6%
11.8%
11.3%
11.0%
11.2%
11.1%
11.1%
11.1%
10.9%
10.8%
10.9%
11.1%
10.8%
11.0%
11.2%
11.3%
11.3%
11.3%
11.4%
11.2%
10.7%
11.0%
10.9%
11.2%
10.9%
10.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
3.5%
85.2%
85.8%
85.3%
85.6%
84.9%
84.7%
85.2%
85.5%
85.3%
85.4%
85.4%
85.4%
85.6%
85.7%
85.6%
85.4%
85.7%
85.5%
85.3%
85.2%
85.2%
85.2%
85.1%
85.3%
85.8%
85.5%
85.6%
85.3%
85.6%
86.0%
21.8%
25.2%
25.1%
26.3%
23.4%
22.3%
22.3%
23.5%
23.3%
23.4%
23.7%
24.7%
23.3%
21.8%
20.9%
20.0%
26.7%
24.9%
24.5%
24.5%
20.7%
21.1%
21.1%
21.9%
25.0%
27.0%
25.6%
25.7%
24.5%
25.3%
78.2%
74.8%
74.9%
73.7%
76.6%
77.7%
77.7%
76.5%
76.7%
76.6%
76.3%
75.3%
76.7%
78.2%
79.1%
80.0%
73.3%
75.1%
75.5%
75.5%
79.3%
78.9%
78.9%
78.1%
75.0%
73.0%
74.4%
74.3%
75.5%
74.7%
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Recovered Bitumen
Million Barrels
(per ID 2001-7)
77.5
75.5
75.8
73.6
81.9
83.1
79.6
77.5
79.2
78.7
78.1
78.7
77.2
76.5
77.2
78.7
75.9
77.8
79.1
79.8
79.9
79.8
80.6
79.2
75.4
77.3
77.2
79.4
76.8
55.6
Page 12 of 39
Table 3.2 Mine Plan Waste Summary
Year
Overburden
Interburden
Total OBIB
Million BCM
Million BCM
Million BCM
47.7
21.2
14.8
16.3
23.0
12.7
18.4
23.1
19.2
19.0
26.5
51.1
59.5
56.9
51.4
37.0
6.5
6.7
9.3
20.4
24.9
20.9
14.4
24.9
26.1
35.7
64.0
35.2
31.9
13.3
16.3
16.9
19.0
8.3
5.9
7.8
6.4
6.1
5.2
5.0
9.2
14.5
22.2
12.2
12.1
21.4
9.8
11.4
11.8
27.9
26.5
14.6
7.8
10.1
14.5
10.3
13.3
14.0
29.3
13.4
64.0
38.1
33.8
24.6
28.9
20.4
24.7
29.3
24.3
24.0
35.7
65.7
81.6
69.1
63.6
58.4
16.3
18.1
21.1
48.3
51.4
35.5
22.3
35.0
40.6
46.0
77.3
49.2
61.2
26.6
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
3.2
Tailings
The tailings production schedule is shown in Table 3.3. The tailings volumes shown in
the table represent final deposit volumes.
The tailings disposal sequence at the Aurora North site balances fluid containment
needs and dyke construction, while supporting closure initiatives. The tailings disposal
schedule is closely integrated with the mine plan, in-pit tailings storage space being
utilized as soon as it becomes available. The tailings plan is based on the following key
assumptions:
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 13 of 39
o
Sand allocation consistent with the following priorities:
o
o
o
o
Containment construction,
Geotechnical beaching,
CT capping, and
Maximization of CT production with remaining sand.
o
Tailings placement in Aurora East Pit (AEPNE) starting in 2010;
o
Implementation of CT technology for fines management starting in 2013; and
o
Implementation of a supplementary fines management technology in 2018.
Tailings deposit types and volumes for each facility are included in Table 4.3.
3.2.1
Aurora Settling Basin:
The ASB is used primarily as a fluid storage facility. It currently provides storage for
coarse tailings (SCT), MFT and recycle water. ASB is planned to remain the primary
settling area and source of recycle water until closure. At closure, remaining fluid MFT
and water from the ASB will be transferred to the End Pit Lake (EPL).
3.2.2
Aurora North Future Storage:
The Aurora North in-pit tailings dykes will be constructed mainly using mine waste
material, including overburden and interburden. The construction of Dyke1E and 1N in
the East Pit will be completed in 2012. The north and east portions of this dyke will be
constructed to allow tailings deposition in Aurora East Pit North East (AEPNE) in 2010.
Dyke1 West is to be constructed between 2012 and 2015 with tailings deposition starting
in Aurora East Pit North West (AEPNW) in 2012. Dyke2 between East and Center Pit is
to be built for containment beginning in 2014 in the southern portion of Aurora East Pit
(AEP).
The Aurora East Pit Closure Dam (AEPCD) is to be constructed by 2018 to ensure
containment in the northeast portion of the AEP, above original ground.
Dyke3 (Center Pit) and Dyke4 are required for containment in Aurora Center Pit North
East (ACPNE) in 2022 and Aurora Center Pit North West (ACPNW) in 2026.
A Boundary Dyke along the lease boundary shared by Shell and Syncrude at the south
end of Center and West Pit is required for containment in Aurora Center Pit South
(ACPS) in 2030. Syncrude will continue to work with Shell on an integrated strategy to
manage the common pit boundary.
The West Dyke is required for containment in Aurora West Pit South (AWPS) in 2036.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 14 of 39
Table 3.3 Tailings Production Summary
Year
Aurora
Aurora
Aurora
AN
Froth
North
North Fines North
Froth
Fines
to
ML to
Production to Rejects
Fines
Million
Tonnes
Million
Tonnes
2010
122.0
2011
126.0
2012
121.0
2013
121.0
2014
126.0
2015
126.0
2016
126.0
2017
126.0
2018
126.0
2019
126.0
2020
126.0
2021
126.0
2022
126.0
2023
126.0
2024
126.0
2025
126.0
2026
126.0
2027
126.0
2028
126.0
2029
126.0
2030
126.0
2031
126.0
2032
126.0
2033
126.0
2034
126.0
2035
126.0
2036
126.0
2037
126.0
2038
126.0
2039
94.9
2040
2041
2042
2043
2044
2045
2046
Note: all tailings volumes
Million
Tonnes
1.2
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.2
1.6
1.2
1.5
1.2
1.7
1.2
1.7
1.3
1.7
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.7
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.7
1.3
1.7
1.3
1.7
1.3
1.7
1.2
1.7
1.3
1.7
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.7
1.3
1.6
1.0
1.2
shown represent deposit
Coarse Tailings
Cyclone
Overflow
CT
Thickened Flotation
Tailings
Tailings
Cell
Beach
Total
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
Mm3/y
51.6
52.9
50.4
45.8
13.6
13.6
13.7
13.7
13.5
13.5
13.5
13.4
43.8
44.3
44.5
33.9
13.3
13.4
13.4
13.4
13.7
44.2
44.1
13.6
13.5
13.2
13.4
13.3
43.6
44.2
-
58.0
59.2
56.5
45.8
13.6
13.6
13.7
13.7
13.5
13.5
13.5
13.4
43.8
44.3
44.5
33.9
13.3
13.4
13.4
13.4
13.7
44.2
44.1
13.6
13.5
13.2
13.4
13.3
43.6
44.2
-
2.2
10.2
10.8
10.9
10.2
1.0
1.0
1.0
0.9
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.6
0.9
0.9
1.0
1.0
1.0
0.4
0.4
1.1
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.3
-
9.0
39.0
38.9
39.0
39.1
46.1
46.0
45.6
44.4
15.6
15.9
16.1
27.5
42.3
44.2
44.5
44.6
47.8
16.0
16.0
46.9
44.2
41.8
43.4
43.1
15.1
-
4.4
4.6
5.2
6.8
1.5
1.5
1.4
2.3
9.9
7.1
6.5
6.4
4.2
1.4
1.4
4.4
7.5
10.4
8.3
8.4
2.2
-
2.8
2.9
2.8
2.3
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
2.1
2.1
2.1
1.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
2.1
2.1
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
2.1
2.2
-
6.4
6.4
6.1
volumes.
* Fines Capture = (Weight of fines in CT + Weight of fines in thickened tails) / (Weight of fines in ore - Weight of fines in rejects)
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Centrifuge
Cake
Mm3/y
-
MFT
Water
(Cumulative) (Cumulative)
Fines Capture *
(CT and Thicked Tails)
Annually
Cumulative
Mm3
Mm3
% of fines in
Feed
Million
Tonnes
73.9
87.3
99.8
112.8
117.8
121.0
124.5
130.2
132.1
134.1
136.3
139.0
147.9
154.8
160.5
162.1
166.0
168.8
171.5
174.1
171.4
177.3
183.2
182.7
185.7
189.7
193.4
197.1
207.1
218.1
218.1
218.1
218.1
218.1
218.1
218.1
218.1
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
35.0
30.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
55.0
10.9%
52.1%
54.7%
54.5%
51.5%
71.5%
71.5%
71.4%
70.9%
24.0%
26.1%
27.4%
48.7%
70.4%
70.9%
71.0%
71.0%
82.3%
27.1%
27.1%
77.0%
71.0%
70.2%
70.7%
70.5%
23.9%
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
#N/A
2.8
15.2
27.6
39.9
52.4
69.3
86.4
103.7
121.7
127.4
133.2
139.1
149.0
168.3
186.5
204.3
222.0
239.3
245.1
250.9
268.1
286.4
305.9
324.6
343.2
349.2
349.2
349.2
349.2
349.2
349.2
349.2
349.2
349.2
Page 15 of 39
3.3
Key Milestones
The integrated mining/tailings plan is illustrated for the years 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014,
2022, 2026, 2030, 2036, 2038, 2039 and 2046 in Figures 3.2 to 3.12. Fluid elevations
are posted at each relevant location.
In 2009 (Figure 3.2), tailings placement is confined to ASB. Dyke 1 is being constructed
in preparation for future tailings containment. The Fort Hills Dump (FHD) is the major
location for hauling non-construction mine waste.
The 2010 status map (Figure 3.3) shows progress in building Dyke 1 West. In-pit active
tailings placement starts in AEPNE. Tailings placement will be limited to coarse tailings
beaching until CT plant startup in 2013.
The 2012 status map (Figure 3.4) shows progress in building Dyke 1 and Dyke 2.
Coarse tailings beaching continues in AEPNE. The Area 2 out-of-pit dump footprint has
been established and it becomes the primary location for non-construction mine waste.
Note that Syncrude is currently planning on moving ahead with an expanded FHD
instead of constructing the Area 2 Dump as shown on in this plan.
The 2014 status map (Figure 3.5) assumes use of the AEPS as an active tailings
placement area. CT is the primary deposit in this DDA. Dyke2 is nearing completion.
By 2022 (Figure 3.6), Dyke 3 and Center Pit NS Dyke have progressed sufficiently to
allow CT and coarse tailings beach to be placed in Center Pit North East (ACPNE). The
Aurora East Pit Closure Dam (AEPCD) has been completed.
The 2026 status map (Figure 3.7) shows completion of the Dyke 3 footprint and
placement of tailings in Center Pit North West (ACPNW).
By 2030 (Figure 3.8), the Dyke 4 and Boundary Dyke footprints have been established
to provide tailings storage in the Aurora Center Pit South (ACPS).
The 2036 status map (Figure 3.9) notes that the West Dyke is in place for tailings
placement to begin in the Aurora West Pit South (AWPS).
Overburden stripping is complete in 2038 (Figure 3.10) and ore mining is complete in
2039 (Figure 3.11).
At closure, the ASB, East Pit, Center Pit and north portion of the West Pit are reclaimed
as dry landscape features, as shown in Figure 3.12. An EPL is established in the West
Pit area.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 16 of 39
4.0
Construction Details
Aurora North Mine Waste Specification by construction material type is as shown in
Table 4.1. Available High spec. is 50% of total Gr15 material. Gr15 is determined based
on very low clay content facies that provide high quality construction material.
Medium Spec. volume available is 50% of total Gr15 material plus 60% of Gr25 and
Gr50 material. Gr25 and Gr50 material contains facies that provide medium quality
construction material.
The difference between ‘available’ and ‘planned use’ volumes in Table 4.1 accounts for
weather and operational restrictions limiting 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
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
Medium Spec.
Low Spec.
TOTAL WASTE
Available
Planned use
Available
Planned use
Available
Planned use
Available
Planned use
MBCM
22.1
14.1
11.9
5.7
4.4
5.7
6.2
10.2
8.2
8.9
10.8
8.9
14.9
8.8
7.6
16.6
8.8
9.8
10.2
20.6
29.3
19.7
10.4
10.1
14.1
8.5
10.8
11.6
7.5
2.7
MBCM
16.0
10.1
10.5
4.6
3.1
4.0
4.3
7.2
5.8
6.2
7.6
6.2
10.4
6.1
5.3
11.6
7.4
6.8
7.1
16.6
23.5
17.0
7.3
8.7
9.8
6.0
7.5
8.1
5.3
2.1
MBCM
19.1
12.7
16.4
4.4
3.8
1.7
7.1
12.1
13.7
11.3
16.1
17.6
27.6
15.6
18.7
24.3
14.3
7.9
9.0
17.8
11.0
7.1
6.2
6.9
11.1
11.7
17.3
15.9
18.4
9.2
MBCM
14.5
5.9
7.3
3.3
0.4
1.2
5.0
7.9
7.4
7.5
9.8
6.1
15.0
10.6
13.1
13.8
6.8
5.5
6.3
14.6
7.8
4.3
4.3
4.8
4.7
3.1
8.3
8.1
3.6
0.0
MBCM
22.8
11.3
5.6
14.5
20.8
15.0
15.6
16.0
17.9
18.8
18.0
40.1
19.2
24.9
18.2
18.2
13.7
20.6
21.8
14.7
12.7
8.2
11.9
8.4
20.7
18.7
15.2
17.6
20.2
1.6
MBCM
8.5
2.6
3.7
3.5
0.8
1.8
3.6
5.9
4.9
5.6
7.1
3.0
9.3
7.5
8.0
9.5
0.0
2.7
5.6
5.0
7.5
5.6
6.0
4.5
3.1
0.0
5.8
5.6
0.9
0.0
MBCM
64.0
38.1
33.9
24.6
29.0
22.4
28.8
38.4
39.8
39.0
45.0
66.6
61.6
49.3
44.5
59.1
36.7
38.2
41.0
53.1
52.9
35.0
28.5
25.4
45.9
38.9
43.2
45.1
46.1
13.5
MBCM
39.0
18.6
21.5
11.4
4.3
7.0
12.9
20.9
18.0
19.3
24.5
15.2
34.8
24.3
26.4
34.9
14.2
15.1
19.1
36.2
38.9
26.9
17.6
18.0
17.5
9.0
21.6
21.8
9.8
2.1
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 28 of 39
The Waste Disposal Schedule by placement area is shown in Table 4.2.
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
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
Dyke 1
(E+N)
MBCM
8.7
5.7
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Dyke Construction (East pit , Center pit and West pit dykes)
Dyke 1
Dyke 2
Dyke3 E
Dyke3 NS
Dyke3 W
Dyke4
(west)
(west dyke) (CP dyke)
(CP dyke)
(CP dyke)
(CP dyke)
MBCM
MBCM
MBCM
MBCM
MBCM
MBCM
30.3
12.9
5.5
15.9
11.4
3.4
0.9
7.0
12.9
20.9
14.4
3.6
13.2
6.0
20.0
4.5
4.2
6.2
4.7
11.1
0.0
23.7
1.0
0.0
23.3
0.0
0.0
26.4
3.9
0.0
31.0
13.2
1.0
15.1
19.1
36.2
38.9
26.9
17.6
18.0
17.3
1.5
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
West Dyke
(WP dyke)
MBCM
0.2
7.5
21.6
21.8
9.8
2.1
Waste Dumps
Fort Hills
Area2
Inpit
Dump
dump
Dump
MBCM
MBCM
MBCM
14.3
9.9
0.8
14.2
4.9
0.4
1.7
8.7
2.0
10.8
1.2
1.2
0.0
24.6
0.0
0.0
15.4
0.0
0.0
15.1
0.9
0.0
17.5
0.0
20.7
1.1
0.0
19.8
0.0
19.6
0.9
50.6
0.9
26.9
0.0
25.0
0.0
18.1
0.0
24.2
0.0
21.6
0.9
13.1
10.1
8.2
13.7
4.3
12.6
14.1
8.0
10.9
7.4
28.4
29.9
21.7
23.3
36.8
11.3
Total
Waste
MBCM
64.0
38.1
33.9
24.6
28.9
22.4
28.8
38.4
39.8
39.0
45.0
66.6
61.6
49.3
44.5
59.1
36.7
38.2
41.0
53.1
52.9
35.0
28.5
25.4
45.9
38.9
43.2
45.1
46.6
13.5
Page 29 of 39
The Aurora North 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 2008 onward (MFT and water are net volumes).
Table 4.3 Tailings Disposal Schedule
Year
CT
SCT
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
-
38.3
14.8
5.7
4.6
0.3
-
Aurora Settling Basin (ASB)
Flotatio Thickene Cyclone
n tails
d tails
O/F
2.8
2.9
2.8
2.3
2.2
0.6
5.1
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
2.1
2.1
2.1
1.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
2.1
2.1
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
2.1
2.2
-
MFT
Water
CT
SCT
71.0
75.1
77.1
80.6
73.7
75.7
71.8
70.6
78.9
74.2
71.3
69.2
68.2
67.3
66.4
65.6
65.4
65.1
64.8
64.5
64.2
61.0
57.9
52.4
56.6
54.1
51.3
55.6
53.7
52.7
42.7
32.7
22.7
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
30.0
30.0
30.0
23.5
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
9.0
39.0
38.9
39.0
39.1
46.1
46.0
45.6
44.4
7.8
-
19.7
44.4
50.9
41.3
13.3
13.6
13.7
13.7
13.5
13.5
13.5
13.4
41.6
42.1
42.2
27.1
-
Aurora East Pit (AEP)
Flotatio Thickene Cyclone
n tails
d tails
O/F
5.1
10.8
10.9
10.2
4.4
1.0
4.6
1.0
5.2
1.0
6.8
0.9
0.7
-
MFT
Water
CT
SCT
2.9
12.3
22.8
32.2
44.2
45.4
52.7
59.6
53.2
60.0
65.0
69.9
52.9
34.7
16.0
-
10.0
10.0
10.0
16.5
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
3.0
3.0
-
7.8
15.9
16.1
27.5
42.3
44.2
44.5
44.6
47.8
16.0
16.0
46.9
44.2
41.8
43.4
43.1
15.1
-
2.2
2.2
2.2
6.8
13.3
13.4
13.4
13.4
13.7
44.2
44.1
13.6
13.5
13.2
13.4
13.3
43.6
44.2
-
Aurora Center Pit (ACP)
Flotatio Thickene Cyclone
n tails
d tails
O/F
0.7
0.3
1.5
0.4
1.4
0.4
2.3
0.6
9.9
0.9
7.1
0.9
6.5
1.0
6.4
1.0
4.2
1.0
1.4
0.4
1.4
0.4
4.4
1.1
7.5
0.9
10.4
0.9
8.3
0.9
8.4
0.9
2.2
0.3
-
MFT
Water
CT
26.9
52.8
78.2
96.6
100.7
103.8
106.8
109.7
107.3
116.4
125.4
130.4
129.2
135.8
112.2
61.6
23.5
-
12.0
12.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
10.0
10.0
5.0
-
-
SCT
-
Aurora West Pit (AWP)
Flotatio Thickene Cyclone
n tails
d tails
O/F
-
Note: all numbers are in million m3 and represent Incremental deposit volumes from 2008 onward (MFT and water are net volumes)
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 30 of 39
MFT
Water
30.0
80.0
130.0
165.5
175.5
185.5
195.5
213.2
213.2
213.2
213.2
5.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
20.0
20.0
22.0
22.0
22.0
52.0
4.1
Aurora Settling Basin
Construction of the ASB facility will be executed using conventional cell techniques. The
final dyke crest elevation of 350 masl will be complete in 2011.
4.2
Dyke 1E and N
Dyke 1E (East) and 1N (North) are now being constructed. They will be completed in
2011. Dyke 1N (North) partitions AEPNE and AEPNW and is partially built with tailings
sand. Dyke 1E Is built entirely of mine waste and allows for earlier tailings disposal in the
AEPNE area, while protecting mine equipment operating at the base of the pit.
Figure 4.1 shows the current asbuilt for Dyke 1E and N. The 2012 status map (Figure
3.4) provides an overview of the entire Dyke 1 configuration relative to other features. A
typical design cross section for Dyke 1 is illustrated in Figure 4.2. The construction
schedule for Dyke 1E and N is shown in Table 4.4 below.
4.3
Dyke 1W
Dyke 1W (West) allows containment in AEPNW and is to be completed in 2012. Dyke
1E Is built entirely of mine waste and protects mining equipment operating at pit bottom.
4.4
Dyke 2
Dyke 2 partitions the Center Pit from the East Pit. Table 4.4 has the yearly volume
placement to 2014 and top elevation(s) of the in-pit structures. Dyke 2 is scheduled for
completion in 2014 at 300 masl.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 31 of 39
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
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
AN Dyke1(E+N)
Volume
Elevation
MBCM
masl.
8.7
270
5.7
290
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
AN Dyke1(west)
Volume
Elevation
MBCM
masl.
30.3
255
12.9
275
5.5
290
AN Dyke2
Volume
Elevation
MBCM
masl.
15.9
11.4
3.4
254
287
300
AN Dyke3 E(CP)
Volume
Elevation
MBCM
masl.
0.9
7.0
12.9
20.9
14.4
13.2
20.0
4.2
11.1
1.0
0.0
3.9
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
209
219
226
235
239
246
262
265
281
283
283
295
AN Dyke3 NS(CP)
AN Dyke3 W(CP)
AN Dyke4(CP)
AN West Dyke(WP)
Volume Elevation Volume Elevation Volume Elevation Volume Elevation
MBCM
masl.
MBCM
masl.
MBCM
masl.
MBCM
masl.
3.6
6.0
4.5
6.2
220
230
235
265
4.7
23.7
23.3
26.4
31.0
13.2
213
224
232
247
268
295
1.0
15.1
19.1
36.2
38.9
26.9
17.6
18.0
17.3
1.5
204
215
224
240
248
259
268
280
293
300
0.2
7.5
21.6
21.8
9.8
2.1
Page 32 of 39
196
205
222
242
256
265
Figure 4.1 Dyke 1 Asbuilt (Year End 2008)
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 33 of 39
Figure 4.2 Typical Design Cross Section for Dyke 1
Gr. 15
Gr. 50
( - 50% clay content)
Gr. 25 Filter
( - 15% clay content)
Gr. 15
( -15% clay content)
2m Base Prep
– Gr. 15
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
PON
Dump
( --50% clay content)
( -15% clay content)
PON
Gr.
Gr. 25
( - 25% clay content)
Capped
Gr. 50
Tailings Sand
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
( -15% clay content)
Page 34 of 39
5.0 Site Wide Material Balance
A projected site wide material balance is provided in Tables 5.1 to 5.3. The table is
provided in three parts: Sand Management (> 44µm Solids Fraction), Fines
Management (< 44µm Solids Fraction and Aurora North Free (i.e. Recycle) Water
Management.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 35 of 39
Table 5.1 Site Wide Material Balance – Sand Management
Sand Management (> 44µ Solids Fraction)
Sand
Cycloned
Sand in
in Slurry
Slurry
Cycloned & Straight
Net Feed Sand
Streams
Coarse Tails
Tails Sand
Sand
Streams
Coarse
Sand to Deposits
Other Information
Sec.
NonSand
Thickener
Froth
Sec.
NonSand to
to
Sand to Pri.
Pri. Extract
Extract
Extract
Cycloned
CT
(U/F)
Extract
Cycloned
CT
SCT
Cyclone
CT (U/F)
U/F CT Thickened New MFT
Float /
Sand in
CT
% Total
Year Recovered Bit Sand in feed Rejects
ML
Sand
Sand
Sand
Cyclones SCT Cell Cell/Beach
Sand
Sand
Sand
Cyclones
O/F
Feedstock Feedstock
Tails
Solids Froth Tails Middlings MFT to CT Deposit sand to CT
(dry
(dry
(dry
(dry
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
MBBl bit
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
Mt)
2010
77.5
81.22
1.21
0.63
75.39
3.99
75.39
3.99
75.39
8.29
66.39
0.74
3.96
74.85
4.15
74.85
7.96
66.19
0.74
4.11
2011
75.5
80.86
1.26
0.60
74.85
4.15
2012
75.8
77.29
1.20
0.61
71.50
3.97
71.50
3.97
71.50
7.61
63.22
0.71
3.93
2013
73.6
76.35
1.21
0.59
71.35
3.20
13.91
71.35
3.20
57.44
13.91
56.90
2.67
11.21
0.59
3.17
0.18
11.40
19.5%
79.19
0.90
17.42
61.76
17.26
13.00
48.64
0.30
0.90
0.86
49.49
78.0%
2014
81.9
81.99
1.25
0.66
79.19
0.90
61.76
2015
83.1
83.00
1.24
0.66
80.18
0.90
62.54
80.18
0.90
17.64
62.54
17.48
13.89
48.52
0.31
0.89
0.82
49.34
78.0%
80.62
0.91
17.74
62.88
17.57
13.92
48.83
0.31
0.90
0.73
49.56
78.0%
2016
79.6
83.42
1.25
0.64
80.62
0.91
62.88
79.66
0.91
17.53
62.13
17.36
12.99
49.02
0.30
0.90
0.60
49.62
78.0%
2017
77.5
82.45
1.26
0.62
79.66
0.91
62.13
2018
79.2
82.43
1.25
0.64
79.63
0.91
62.11
79.63
0.91
17.52
62.11
17.35
1.31
48.87
9.48
2.42
0.21
0.90
0.12
58.47
78.0%
79.63
0.91
17.52
62.11
17.35
1.31
48.92
9.36
2.49
0.21
0.90
0.12
58.40
78.0%
2019
78.7
82.43
1.25
0.63
79.63
0.91
62.11
79.35
0.91
17.46
61.89
17.29
1.28
48.96
8.81
2.80
0.21
0.90
0.12
57.89
78.0%
2020
78.1
82.14
1.25
0.63
79.35
0.91
61.89
2021
78.7
81.00
1.25
0.63
78.20
0.91
61.00
78.20
0.91
17.20
61.00
17.04
1.20
48.90
7.30
3.55
0.21
0.90
0.11
56.31
78.0%
77.75
3.02
56.76
20.99
56.23
0.44
16.53
3.20
0.81
0.57
3.00
0.04
19.77
27.0%
2022
77.2
82.65
1.26
0.62
77.75
3.02
20.99
79.54
3.03
58.06
21.48
57.52
0.48
16.66
3.47
0.86
0.59
3.00
0.08
20.21
27.0%
2023
76.5
84.44
1.26
0.62
79.54
3.03
21.48
80.35
3.03
58.65
21.69
58.10
0.46
17.03
3.36
0.83
0.59
3.00
0.10
20.49
27.0%
2024
77.2
85.25
1.26
0.62
80.35
3.03
21.69
81.84
2.27
45.01
36.83
44.59
0.75
29.26
5.45
1.35
0.46
2.25
0.21
34.92
45.0%
2025
78.7
86.00
1.25
0.63
81.84
2.27
36.83
76.45
0.91
16.82
59.63
16.66
1.15
48.06
5.51
4.86
0.22
0.90
0.10
53.68
78.0%
2026
75.9
79.23
1.26
0.61
76.45
0.91
59.63
78.12
0.91
17.19
60.94
17.03
1.19
48.97
7.04
3.69
0.22
0.90
0.12
56.13
78.0%
2027
77.8
80.92
1.25
0.63
78.12
0.91
60.94
78.34
0.91
17.23
61.10
17.07
1.21
48.87
7.55
3.42
0.21
0.90
0.12
56.54
78.0%
2028
79.1
81.14
1.25
0.64
78.34
0.91
61.10
78.30
0.91
17.23
61.07
17.06
1.22
48.80
7.65
3.36
0.21
0.90
0.12
56.57
78.0%
2029
79.8
81.10
1.25
0.64
78.30
0.91
61.07
82.28
0.91
18.10
64.18
17.93
1.35
50.50
9.85
2.44
0.21
0.90
0.30
60.65
78.0%
2030
79.9
85.08
1.25
0.64
82.28
0.91
64.18
79.76
3.01
58.22
21.53
57.68
0.46
16.85
3.37
0.84
0.59
2.98
0.10
20.32
27.0%
2031
79.8
84.67
1.25
0.64
79.76
3.01
21.53
79.64
3.01
58.14
21.50
57.59
0.46
16.82
3.37
0.83
0.59
2.98
0.10
20.29
27.0%
2032
80.6
84.55
1.25
0.65
79.64
3.01
21.50
81.13
0.91
17.85
63.28
17.68
1.42
48.98
10.30
2.55
0.21
0.90
0.24
59.51
78.0%
2033
79.2
83.93
1.25
0.64
81.13
0.91
63.28
78.27
0.91
17.22
61.05
17.06
1.18
49.17
6.81
3.84
0.22
0.91
0.12
56.10
78.0%
2034
75.4
81.05
1.26
0.61
78.27
0.91
61.05
75.89
0.91
16.69
59.19
16.54
1.14
47.71
5.27
5.02
0.22
0.90
0.10
53.08
78.0%
2035
77.3
78.68
1.26
0.62
75.89
0.91
59.19
77.43
0.91
17.03
60.39
16.87
1.16
48.68
6.32
4.19
0.22
0.90
0.11
55.11
78.0%
2036
77.2
80.22
1.26
0.62
77.43
0.91
60.39
77.01
0.91
16.94
60.07
16.78
1.15
48.42
6.22
4.22
0.22
0.90
0.11
54.75
78.0%
2037
79.4
79.81
1.25
0.64
77.01
0.91
60.07
76.61
3.03
55.92
20.68
55.40
0.41
16.53
2.59
1.14
0.57
3.00
0.04
19.16
27.0%
2038
76.8
81.51
1.26
0.62
76.61
3.03
20.68
56.39
3.13
56.39
55.86
0.56
3.10
2039
55.6
60.92
0.95
0.45
56.39
3.13
--2040
--2041
--2042
--2043
--2044
--2045
--2046
h Sand
Sand to
to ML]
ML] == [Primary
[Primary Extraction
Extraction Sand]
Sand] ++ [Secondary
[Secondary Extraction
Extraction Sand]
Sand]
Net Sand Feed Balance: [Sand in Feed] - [Rejects] - [Froth
econdary Extraction
U/F (CT Feedstock)] + [Thickened Tails] +
Extraction Sand]
Sand] == [Cell]
[Cell] + [Beach]
[Beach] ++ [Cyclone O/F] + [Cyclone U/F
U/F (CT Feedstock)]
Feedstock)] ++ [Cyclone
[Cyclone U/F (CT Feedstock)] + [Thickener
[T
Complete Sand Balance: [Primary Extraction Sand] + [Secondary
[Sand to new MFT] + [Froth Tails] + [Float / Middlings Tails]
[Non-Cycloned Sand]
Sand] ++ [Sand
[Sand to
to CT
CT Cyclones]
Cyclones]
Construction Sand Balance: [Primary Extraction Sand] = [Non-Cycloned
ne Feedstock
Feedstock Sand
Sand (U/F)
(U/F) to
to CT]
CT] ++ [Sand
[Sand in
in MFT
MFT to
to CT]
CT] ++ [Thickener
[Thickener U/F
U/F (CT
(CT Feedstock)]
Feedstock)]
Sand in CT Deposit Balance: [CT Deposit Sand] = [Cyclone
ary Extraction
% Sand to CT Process = [Sand to CT Cyclones] ÷ [Primary
Extraction Sand]
Sand]
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 36 of 39
Table 5.2 Site Wide Material Balance – Fines Management
Fines Management (< 44µ Solids Fraction)
Fines in Net Feed
Fines in Suspension
Fines to Deposits
Froth
Site MFT
Site MFT
Cyclone Thickener
Float Tails
CT
New Fines
Rejects
Fines
Total Site
Inventory
New TFT Fines in Inventory Cell/Beach U/F CT
U/F CT Thickened
&
Deposit
CT SFR
Year Recovered Bit in Feed
Fines
to ML
MFT
(Start)
Fines
MFT to CT
(End)
Fines
Feedstock Feedstock
Tails
Cyc. O/F
Fines
Ratio
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
MBBl bit
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt)
(dry Mt) % solids by w t. (dry Mt)
2010
78.1
22.68
1.21
1.63
0.43
33.31
5.43
38.74
14.04
0.37
74.9
27.26
1.26
1.57
0.43
38.74
7.62
46.36
16.42
0.39
2011
77.3
25.95
1.20
1.60
0.44
46.36
7.20
53.55
15.59
0.37
2012
74.2
27.28
1.21
1.53
0.44
53.55
9.23
1.64
61.14
13.20
1.20
0.92
2.85
4.0
2013
83.5
24.99
1.25
1.70
0.44
61.14
12.27
8.84
64.58
3.52
3.54
2.71
12.37
4.0
2014
85.5
23.78
1.24
1.73
0.44
64.58
11.88
9.55
66.91
3.39
2.79
2.74
12.34
4.0
2015
81.9
23.98
1.25
1.65
0.44
66.91
12.03
9.53
69.41
3.42
2.86
2.77
12.39
4.0
2016
79.8
25.32
1.26
1.61
0.44
69.41
12.47
8.73
73.15
3.57
3.68
2.73
12.40
4.0
2017
81.6
25.03
1.25
1.66
0.44
73.15
3.23
1.77
74.61
3.33
3.51
9.33
2.38
0.33
14.62
4.0
2018
81.0
25.13
1.25
1.65
0.44
74.61
3.25
1.76
76.10
3.35
3.57
9.27
2.47
0.33
14.60
4.0
2019
80.4
25.51
1.25
1.63
0.44
76.10
3.31
1.71
77.69
3.39
3.82
8.94
2.84
0.33
14.47
4.0
2020
81.0
26.56
1.25
1.65
0.44
77.69
3.46
1.56
79.59
3.48
4.56
7.96
3.87
0.33
14.08
4.0
2021
79.5
25.16
1.26
1.62
0.44
79.59
5.98
0.60
84.97
10.80
1.20
3.15
0.80
0.37
4.94
4.0
2022
78.8
23.49
1.26
1.60
0.45
84.97
5.32
1.10
89.19
10.24
0.88
3.07
0.76
0.37
5.05
4.0
2023
79.6
22.56
1.26
1.62
0.45
89.19
4.95
1.36
92.79
9.89
0.84
2.93
0.72
0.36
5.12
4.0
2024
81.1
21.55
1.25
1.65
0.45
92.79
3.91
2.72
93.98
7.24
1.34
4.67
1.16
0.33
8.73
4.0
2025
78.2
28.81
1.26
1.59
0.45
93.98
3.91
1.38
96.52
3.69
5.26
6.78
5.97
0.34
13.42
4.0
2026
80.1
26.79
1.25
1.63
0.45
96.52
3.50
1.53
98.48
3.51
4.72
7.78
4.08
0.33
14.03
4.0
2027
81.4
26.35
1.25
1.65
0.45
98.48
3.43
1.59
100.32
3.46
4.42
8.13
3.68
0.33
14.14
4.0
2028
82.2
26.25
1.25
1.67
0.45
100.32
3.41
1.60
102.13
3.45
4.36
8.18
3.60
0.33
14.14
4.0
2029
82.3
22.26
1.25
1.67
0.45
102.13
2.78
4.09
100.83
3.04
2.47
8.60
2.13
0.31
15.16
4.0
2030
82.2
22.69
1.25
1.67
0.46
100.83
4.99
1.30
104.52
9.91
0.84
2.94
0.73
0.36
5.08
4.0
2031
82.9
22.67
1.25
1.68
0.46
104.52
4.98
1.30
108.21
9.89
0.84
2.93
0.73
0.36
5.07
4.0
2032
81.5
23.54
1.25
1.66
0.46
108.21
3.02
3.05
108.17
3.18
2.63
9.19
2.28
0.34
14.88
4.0
2033
77.7
27.08
1.26
1.58
0.46
108.17
3.55
1.51
110.21
3.54
4.88
7.63
4.30
0.33
14.02
4.0
2034
79.7
29.11
1.26
1.62
0.46
110.21
3.98
1.35
112.84
3.71
5.32
6.60
6.28
0.34
13.27
4.0
2035
79.5
27.60
1.26
1.62
0.46
112.84
3.65
1.46
115.04
3.58
5.01
7.31
4.84
0.33
13.78
4.0
2036
81.7
27.62
1.25
1.66
0.46
115.04
3.66
1.45
117.25
3.58
5.01
7.23
4.91
0.33
13.69
4.0
2037
79.1
26.39
1.26
1.61
0.46
117.25
6.49
0.54
123.20
11.20
1.48
2.77
1.22
0.37
4.79
4.0
2038
44.4
20.66
0.95
1.17
0.46
123.20
6.51
129.71
11.73
0.29
2039
0.46
129.71
129.71
2040
0.46
129.71
129.71
2041
0.46
129.71
129.71
2042
0.46
129.71
129.71
2043
0.46
129.71
129.71
2044
0.46
129.71
129.71
2045
0.46
129.71
129.71
2046
n Suspension (MFT) Balance: [Site MFT Inv. (Start)] + [New TFT Fines] - [Fines in MFT to CT Process] = [Net Site MFT Inventory (Ending)]
Fines in
nes Balance: [New Fines in Feed] - [Reject Fines] - [Froth Fines to ML] = [New TFT Fines] + [Cell/Beach Fines] + [Cyclone U/F Fines to CT] + [Thickener U/F Fines to CT] + [Thickened
[Thickene Tails
New Fines
Deposit] + [Cyc. O/F; Froth; & middlings Fines]
n CT Deposit Balance: [CT Deposit Fines] = [Fines in MFT to CT] + [Cyclone U/F Fines to CT] + [Thickener U/F Fines to CT]
Fines in
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 37 of 39
Table 5.3 Site Wide Material Balance – 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.
Aurora North Free (i.e. Recycle)
Water Management
Free
Free Water Net New
Water
Inventory
Free
Inventory
Recovered Bit
(start)
Water
(end)
3
3
(Mm )
(Mm )
(Mm3)
MBbl bit
78.1
35.00
5.00
40.00
74.9
40.00
40.00
77.3
40.00
40.00
74.2
40.00
40.00
83.5
40.00
40.00
85.5
40.00
40.00
81.9
40.00
40.00
79.8
40.00
40.00
81.6
40.00
40.00
81.0
40.00
40.00
80.4
40.00
40.00
81.0
40.00
40.00
79.5
40.00
40.00
78.8
40.00
40.00
79.6
40.00
40.00
81.1
40.00
40.00
78.2
40.00
40.00
80.1
40.00
40.00
81.4
40.00
40.00
82.2
40.00
40.00
82.3
40.00
40.00
82.2
40.00
40.00
82.9
40.00
40.00
81.5
40.00
40.00
77.7
40.00
40.00
79.7
40.00
40.00
79.5
40.00
40.00
81.7
40.00
40.00
79.1
40.00
40.00
44.4
40.00
40.00
40.00
40.00
40.00
(5.00)
35.00
35.00
(5.00)
30.00
30.00
(5.00)
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
30.00
55.00
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 38 of 39
6.0 Water Chemistry
A summary of the monitoring program in place in the vicinity of tailings disposal areas at
the Aurora North site has been prepared from the “2008 Groundwater Monitoring Report
– Syncrude Aurora North”, submitted to AENV on March 15, 2009.
The Aurora North monitoring program at the Aurora North site currently includes
seventy-three wells sitewide. The groundwater monitoring network focuses on the
tailings area, with particular emphasis on the north and east side.
An integral part of the external tailings pond design is the perimeter ditch, which is
designed to act as a hydraulic sink. The ditch was excavated below the local
groundwater table, to create a gradient towards the ditch from both the tailings pond and
the surrounding environment. The perimeter ditch flows into sumps at various locations,
from which water is pumped back into the tailings pond. The system has operated
effectively in most areas over the year and has reduced the import of significant volumes
of water from the environment.
There are four areas where contamination from process water has been identified
beyond the perimeter ditch. All other monitoring wells continue to indicate background
conditions.
Three wells in the South Seepage Area have shown chemistry similar with the type of
water influenced by process water. Despite these localized change in water chemistry,
Syncrude believes that the procedures are adequate to monitor and control seepage in
this area. South Seepage is to be operated with a maximum water elevation of 280m.
The 280 masl elevation is below the mean Muskeg River elevation and approximately
equal to the seasonal low river elevation. All other monitoring wells in the area exhibit
water chemistry typical of background conditions. Syncrude believes that the hydraulic
control provided by the sump combined with the limited aquifer thickness in the area;
provide reasonable containment of the process water.
In the East Tailings Area process water was identified migrating beyond the perimeter
ditch on the east side of the Aurora Settling Basin during 2001. The MR Sump was
constructed to intercept the seepage and return the water to the perimeter ditch.
In 2005 a cut-off wall was constructed south of Ramp 3. Syncrude is satisfied that the
cut-off wall is impeding the influx of clean water but is permitting the egress of processaffected waters. Pumping of the MR Sump to the perimeter ditch has commenced again
to mitigate the influence of process water in the area.
In the North Tailings Area groundwater contamination was identified north of the tailings
dyke in 2003. It is believed that the plume is still being influenced by additional process
water though the cut-off wall. The cut-off wall is slowing down the recharge but is not
completely preventing it. Syncrude will continue monitoring and tracking the movement
of process affected waters in the area. The area affected by the plume is within the
boundaries of the future Northeast Pit, planned to be mined out in the future.
The water chemistry along the Muskeg River continues to show seasonal variability that
corresponds with river flows. The water monitoring has not identified any impact from
the Aurora North site facilities.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Page 39 of 39
Appendix 1
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Appendix
Concordance Table: Directive 074 Appendix E – Aurora North 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
Table 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:
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
5
the amount projected for use in tailings
impoundment construction;
6
Section 4.0 and
Tables 4.1 and 4.2
a table that schedules the source and destination of
waste material by
mass and volume, classifying material type
by structure,
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Volume available:
Table 4.1
Volume to structures:
Table 4.2
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Appendix
Section
Description
the material types—overburden,
interburden, crusher rejects (or oversize),
and tailings—used for structures,
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;
Cross-Reference
(Section)
Tailings:
Table 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 3.12
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2009 Directive 074 Submission: Aurora North
Section 6
DDA Strategy:
Section 2.2
Table 2.1,
Sections 3.2,
and 4.0
Appendix