A new approach to oil sand tailings management

摘要

This paper describes Suncor's operational scheme change from a Consolidated Tailings (CT) based operation to a Tailings Reduction Operation (TRO) which incorporates MFT drying as a fines capture technology. The risks associated with CT operations and the benefits of this new approach at Suncor will also be discussed. By adopting this new tailings management strategy Suncor believes it will not only address the challenges of a CT operation but will also satisfy the objectives of Directive 074 (D074) which was approved by the Energy Resource and Conservation Board (ERCB) of Alberta on February 3rd, 2009. The success of the TRO concept will prove beneficial for large scale, long term economic investment in the oil sands industry by reducing the impact on the environment associated with oil sand mining operations.