The Brewery Creek Mine, located in the Yukon Territory of Canada, is the highest latitude gold mine in the world.  As part of the closure and reclamation plan, the mine was required to stabilize the heap leach pad and treat drainage for cyanide and other dissolved contaminants.  ARCADIS was contracted to perform these services using patented in-situ bioremediation technology.  A performance guarantee for both water quality improvement and schedule completion was provided as a part of the fixed price contract.

The ARCADIS technology was optimized for sequential application to the heap leach and land-application infiltration field to immobilize and encapsulate metals.  Water license discharge standards were met in only 10 weeks after technology application.  ARCADIS also designed and demonstrated soil cover and phyto-cover synergy to produce organic carbon in-situ, ensuring the stability of the encapsulated metals.  ARCADIS presented the predicted results to the regulatory agencies and worked closely with the client to achieve technology acceptance through the Canada Environmental Assessment Act screening process.  The successful results were used to obtain release of the $8.1 million surety bond held by the mine to cover closure.

Project Accomplishments:

• The use of innovative technology saved the client $4.5 million by eliminating the need for rinsing or active water treatment
  
• Water license discharge standards were met in only 10 weeks
  
• Use of innovative in-situ technology resulted in mine winning the Robert E. Leckie Award for Outstanding Mining Reclamation Practices given annually by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs of Canada
  
• Successful results encouraged Premier of Canada to recommend release of $1.8 million closure and reclamation bond
  
• Project was completed successfully for a fixed price and included a performance guarantee