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Geology Matters 2013. MEKS – Their Beneficial Role in Environmental Assessments. Peter Oram Conestoga-Rovers & Associates. Overview – Industry Perspective. Who- Several providers – ask around (Protocol!!) Where- Any site where there is to be land disturbance
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Geology Matters 2013 MEKS – Their Beneficial Role in Environmental Assessments Peter Oram Conestoga-Rovers & Associates
Overview – Industry Perspective • Who- Several providers – ask around (Protocol!!) • Where- Any site where there is to be land disturbance • What- Read the Protocol, read CEAA, read NSE Guides • When- Early as possible….but not too early • Why- Top 3 Reasons 1. Helps you plan a better project 2. Builds value in a project 3. Sends a message
Project Examples - Black Bull Overview • Surface quartz project in SW NS • First MEKS on a mining project in NS? • 2 years of EBS data • Large initial exploration footprint • Provincial EA with some Federal involvement • Known potential but little “on the ground” info • Client wanted to know the “whole story” • Integrated archaeology, MEKS and ecology teams
Project Examples – Black Bull Beneficial Role in EA Process • Helped diminish anxiety using facts – locations of resources for example • Showed seriousness of client to know the whole picture • Credibility with investors of conscious • Leveled playing field with certain NGO groups • Community trust increased due to transparency
Project Examples - Moose River Overview • Near 600,000 ounce gold deposit • Larger footprint due to being a surface mine • A “different beast” in terms of deposit models • Long EBS period – close to 4 years • Historical component important to client and residents and local “communities” • Integrated field teams • Knew it would be a “hot and spicy one” – better get all the data we can
Project Examples – Moose River Beneficial Role in EA Process • Local knowledge base enhanced beyond historic mining related • All “communities” felt included • Open site for visitors • Used in planning for museum move • Used in reclamation planning • Moose Management Plan
Project Examples - Fundy Gypsum Overview • Extension to existing surface mine • Local area has over 200 years of gypsum extraction • Complex landscape – karst, 3 tidal rivers • High profile • Provincial EA with Federal involvement • Client and gypsum industry in general likes planning long term • Contradictory “baseline”data
Project Examples – Fundy Gypsum Beneficial Role in EA Process • Sent a message – ALL“communities” included • Dispelled myths – travel routes, plant ecology • Enhanced plants of importance database for Mi’kmaq (Wisqoq in particular) • Disturbance linkage for some healing plants • Helped with historic land use research programs • More data for long term planning • Shareholder credibility
Home stretch…….. Take Away Messages • Don’t do an MEKS unless you know why you are doing one • Know how they fit into the Made in Nova Scotia Process, NS EAs, CEAA • Use the data to show the whole story for a site • Document how you used the information • Work on mitigation with the MEKS provider
Thanks • Geology Matters Organizers • Michael Cox • Norma Prosper • Don Julian • Black Bull Resources • DDV Gold/Atlantic Gold • Fundy Gypsum (CGC Inc.)