Remediation progress at Canada's Britannia Mine

摘要

The abandoned Britannia Mine near Vancouver, British Columbia remains one of Canada's largest uncontrolled point sources of heavy metal pollution. It operated for over 70 years, and its very extensive underground workings range from below sea level to 1200 meters elevation. Acidic drainage of up to 50,000 m~3/d with toxic levels of copper, zinc and cadmium damages marine life along the shoreline. Current remediation efforts assess options for effluent neutralization. The results of pilot scale tests of hydrated lime comparcd to woodwaste ash will be summarized. Ash provided excellent metals removal at lower pH than lime, while meeting the regulatory target of a non-toxic overflow. Heavy expenditures needed for a treatment and site remediation require a partnership of government, industry and property development interests to realize the development potential of this site, near Canada's fastest-growing urban area.