MINING NEWS: NORTHERN NEIGHBORS: Independent board approves KSM tailings facility, water dam designs
Seabridge Gold April 11 reported that an independent geotechnical review board has completed its first review of the KSM project’s tailing management facility and water storage dam and concluded the designs are appropriate. The board, an eight-member panel established early in 2015, has unimpeded access to all technical data necessary to enable them to assess KSM’s proposed tailings facility and dam on an ongoing basis, and to ensure these structures meet internationally accepted standards and practices which effectively minimize risks. Andrew Robertson, chairman of the board, said, “We were impressed with the quantity and level of detail and information presented by Seabridge and its technical team on the project’s design, and we appreciated the insightful and frank discussions that occurred during our first meeting. We look forward to future meetings as we further develop the board’s oversight role in the project.” The initial review was developed to answer five questions: are dams and structures located appropriately; are dam sections, materials, construction methods and sequencing appropriate for the site; what are the greatest design, construction and operating risks; are the facilities designed to operate effectively, and are the facilities designed to be safe. The board concluded that it was satisfied with the project’s designs and responded favorably to all five questions. Additionally, the board presented a series of recommendations for Seabridge to consider during the engineering and development of the tailings facility and dam. Seabridge Gold Chairman and CEO Rudi Fronk said, “We are pleased that the board, which is a voluntary undertaking on our part, was impressed with the practical and robust solutions that have been selected for tailing and water management at KSM and have concluded that the designs are appropriate for the project. We look forward to the board’s continued involvement as they fulfil their important role in providing oversight of the KSM Project.” Over the next several weeks, the results of the board’s first report will be shared with the Canada, British Columbia and Alaska governments; aboriginal groups; and other stakeholders who participated in the environmental assessment of the project. - SHANE LASLEY
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