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MEKS – Their Beneficial Role in Environmental Assessments

Learn how MEKS play a crucial role in environmental assessments, providing valuable data for project planning, value building, and transparency. Explore project examples like Black Bull and Moose River, showcasing the benefits of MEKS in EA processes.

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MEKS – Their Beneficial Role in Environmental Assessments

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  1. Geology Matters 2013 MEKS – Their Beneficial Role in Environmental Assessments Peter Oram Conestoga-Rovers & Associates

  2. 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

  3. Project Examples - Black Bull

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Project Examples - Moose River

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Project Examples - Fundy Gypsum

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. Thanks • Geology Matters Organizers • Michael Cox • Norma Prosper • Don Julian • Black Bull Resources • DDV Gold/Atlantic Gold • Fundy Gypsum (CGC Inc.)

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