CP1 Discharge2022-10-04T18:49:23+00:00

CP1 DISCHARGE

Context

Agnico Eagle’s Meliadine mine is committed to protecting the aquatic environment of Meliadine Lake.  We closely monitor all discharges into the lake and we work closely with the Nunavut Water Board to ensure that we meet the discharge limits permitted by Meliadine’s Water License (TDS levels of 3,500 mg/l).

Surface contact water is rain or melted snow that has come into contact with the mine infrastructure.  Any rain that falls on the site or snow that melted and touched the outside of our buildings is collected, cleaned and then released at the bottom of Meliadine Lake via a diffuser.

We understand the importance of Meliadine Lake for Nunavummiut and we are confident that our discharge remains protective of the lake, of the environment, wildlife and surrounding communities and as such, we will keep the public informed as the discharge process continue to occur each year.

During the discharge period, Agnico Eagle is committed to keeping the community informed by providing regular updates on the progress of the discharge and results from the monitoring of the water quality in Meliadine Lake on our website.

We want to reassure the community members that monitoring programs are in place to ensure that the discharge is safe for the environment, fish or any other aquatic life and the water of Meliadine Lake remains safe. The successful management of water is integral to the Meliadine project and ensures mining operations can be carried out responsibly and sustainably.

Additionally, we have committed to develop and implement, in collaboration with Kangiqliniq Hunters and Trappers Organization (KHTO), a community-based monitoring program that will consider concerns from community members in regard to the discharge into Meliadine Lake such as taste of water and health of fish in the area, while including Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit values, Traditional Knowledge and Western Science in the monitoring process.

For more information, please visit the Frequently Asked Question section below.    

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via this email address tusaajugut@agnicoeagle.com, or call us toll-free at 1-844-323-3002.

2022 TDS Results
2021 TDS Results
2020 Discharge Results
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Tusaajugut

Discharge Progress 2022

Discharge to Meliadine Lake – Percentage of Completion 41%

Water Management Process

Current Surface Contact Water Management

ᐊᒡᓃᑯᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᖃᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᑦ ᔫᓇ ᐊᒥᑦᓈᖅ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕐᕕᖕᒥᑦ 8-ᒋᔭᖓᓂᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᓂᒃ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓕᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᖅ, ᐊᔪᙱᓐᓃᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓂᖃᕐᓂᖅ-ᒧᑦ (TASK) ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᕐᒥᑦ.

Meliadine Site Map

2020 Discharge Results

Glossary

Total dissolved solids is a measure of all dissolved salts and minerals in the water.  These salts and minerals include inorganic and organic forms of major ions (particles), nutrients and metals, each of which are found naturally in in the water.  Human activity can also increase the amount of solids (TDS).

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water treatment system that reduces the contaminants of water by using a membrane to filter out and flush away contaminants. The high-quality membrane used removes viruses, bacteria, and parasites in addition of TDS, heavy metals, fluoride, herbicides, pesticides, unpleasant odor and taste. 

Freshet is a term used to describe the thaw of snow and ice in the spring. At Agnico Eagle Nunavut sites, Freshet can result in a large flow of water in only a few weeks.

Did you know?

Water Management

Water Management

At Agnico Eagle, we are committed to operating in a socially responsible manner as we contribute to the prosperity of our people, their families and the communities in which we operate. We understand the importance of environmental protection, which is why we aim to minimize the environmental effects of our operations and maintain environmental viability and diversity.

The water management process involves a network of collection ponds, pumps, pipes, and treatment plants to appropriately manage the flow and quality of water that contacts the site prior to its release. Water management processes are specific to each Agnico Eagle Nunavut Site and are continuously evolving.

Water Monitoring

Water Monitoring

The water quality standard we must follow at Agnico Eagle Nunavut sites is called the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations (MDMER). Monitoring of discharge water at our mine sites is rigorous, and we continuously adjust the way we manage water based on the results of our monitoring.

Water quality testing is a crucial component in maintaining the environmental standards of our operations. Samples are collected at multiple points in the water cycle, including at all treatment plants at the mine site. We have scheduled testing programs to ensure the water is safe and meets local and international water standards.

Dike (Dam)

Dike (Dam)

A dike is an engineered barrier of rockfill and liners that is constructed to control or confine water – like a dam. At Agnico Eagle Nunavut sites, some dikes are used to control the runoff of rainfall or any other water that contacts the mine operations so it can be collected and then treated before being released back to the environment.

Collection Pond (CP1)

Collection Pond (CP1)

A collection pond is a man-made pond which collects and contains surface water. When there are heavy rains or melted snow runoff, the collection pond collects the water to prevent flooding and downstream erosion. It allows the eventual release of the water to the environment to happen in a controlled way, in order to ensure no impact occurs to any downstream river, lake or bay.

Committed to Answering your Questions

Has the Meliadine Extension been approved?2022-11-09T16:13:41+00:00

The extension of Meliadine has not yet been approved. Right now, we are in the permitting process to obtain the necessary approvals from the Nunavut Planning Commission, the Nunavut Impact Review Board, Nunavut Water Board, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada. The permitting process includes the Environment Assessment which outlines what the proposed Extension includes and what its benefits and potential impacts are. It also outlines consultation with communities and how we plan to monitor and mitigate the project’s effects.

Question #2 Meliadine Extension Page2022-11-09T16:10:28+00:00

Answer/descritpion here

Question #3 Meliadine Extension Page2022-11-09T16:10:46+00:00

Answer/descritpion here

Question #4 Meliadine Extension Page2022-11-09T16:10:59+00:00

Answer/descritpion here

Question #5 Meliadine Extension Page2022-11-09T16:11:16+00:00

Answer/descritpion here

Question #6 Meliadine Extension Page2022-11-09T16:11:30+00:00

Answer/descritpion here

How can we be sure what you are doing is really safe for the environment?2021-07-27T20:35:51+00:00

We understand the importance of Meliadine Lake for Nunavummiut and we are confident that our discharge remains protective of the lake, of the environment, wildlife and surrounding communities and as such, we will keep the public informed as the discharge process continue to occur each year. Regular updates on the progress of the discharges and results from the monitoring of the water quality in Meliadine Lake will be provided on our website.

We want to reassure community members that monitoring programs are in place to ensure that the discharge is safe for the environment, fish or any other aquatic life and the water of Meliadine Lake remains safe to drink for everyone.

Monitoring is an ongoing process. We closely monitor the water to make sure its quality is complying with standards and regulations before releasing it in the environment. Water is also monitored in the lake itself after discharge to ensure there are no environmental impacts from the water that is released.

To strengthen the monitoring process, we have committed to develop and implement, in collaboration with Kangiqliniq Hunters and Trappers Organization (KHTO), a community-based monitoring program that will consider concerns from community members in regard to the discharge into Meliadine Lake such as taste of water and health of fish in the area, while including Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit values, Traditional Knowledge and Western Science in the monitoring process.

Will the health of fishes and breeding of fish species be affected?2020-05-14T19:07:13+00:00

No, in fact, the effect of a diffuser on habitat in Meliadine Lake is negligible. First, the area where the diffuser is located is not used by fishes (it is of low value to them). It is a very small area (approximately 0.04% of the total surface of the lake) that will be impacted compared to the overall area of the lake. Lastly, the water quality will not be an issue for fishes and it will continue to be safe to eat fish from Meliadine Lake.

Is the water quality being discharged drinkable water?2021-07-12T20:18:53+00:00

The water quality downstream of the diffuser is expected to be drinkable and the quality of the water is not affected by TDS. In fact, we do drink the water from Meliadine Lake ourselves as the drinking water supply for the Meliadine mine is from Meliadine Lake.

Will there be any change in the taste of water?2020-05-14T19:07:25+00:00

The design of the diffuser makes sure that the discharged water is mixed quickly and effectively in the mixing zone so that target levels of TDS occur within a short distance from the diffuser.  Therefore, there is not expected to be any noticeable taste in the water downstream of the diffuser.

Corporate Profile

Agnico Eagle’s mission is to run a high quality, easy to understand business, that generates superior long-term per share returns for our shareholders, creates a great place to work for our employees, and that is a leading contributor to the well-being of the communities in which we operate.

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