The Alberta government says it is launching a series of consultations to deal with a massive backlog of oilsands mine water and fluid tailings as storage capacity nears its limit.
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The province announced the engagement process will take place throughout the year to help implement nine recommendations brought forward by the Oil Sands Mine Water Steering Committee. The recommendations focus on water reuse, deep well disposal options, and establishing strict, science-based rules for treating and safely releasing the water back into the environment.
Alberta’s oilsands tailings ponds currently hold more than 1.5 billion cubic metres of fluid tailings and 380 million cubic metres of mine water. Officials noted that while operators have reduced freshwater use per barrel by 19 per cent over the last decade, multiple mines are reaching the end of their operational life, leaving storage capacity stretched to the brink.
“Albertans are counting on us to manage oilsands mine water responsibly, transparently and based on the best available science,” Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter said in a news release.
The province said the upcoming talks will include Indigenous communities, industry operators, technology providers, environmental non-profits, and federal and northern governments to shape future provincial policy.
Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney emphasized that meaningful partnerships with local communities downstream of the mining regions will be a critical pillar of the long-term planning strategy.
Stakeholder feedback sessions, which include technical roundtables and written submissions, will continue through the remainder of the year to establish a progressive reclamation roadmap.
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