ABANDONMENT AND RESTORATION PLAN
SABINA WINTER ROAD
linking
Hackett River Camp, D’Arcy Lake, George Lake Camp and
Goose Lake Camp
SABINA GOLD & SILVER CORP
Prepared Oct 2009
1st amendment Jan 2010
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Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 1
Sabina Social and Environmental Policy.................................................................................................... 1
Site Location and Description ........................................................................................................................ 2
Scope of Report .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Schedule of Abandonment and Reclamation.................................................................................................. 3
Infrastructure .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Progressive Reclamation ............................................................................................................................ 3
Final Abandonment and Restoration Plan .................................................................................................. 3
Abandonment and Restoration Cost Estimate ................................................................................................ 4
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Introduction
Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. (Sabina) is actively exploring the Hackett River area under
valid land use, mineral tenure and water permits.
Under the terms and conditions of INAC and KIA Land Use permits and the NWB Water
Licence, Sabina is obligated to rehabilitate the areas affected by activities.
The Sabina Winter Road Abandonment and Restoration (A&R) plan has been
developed to support permit and licence applications and renewals for operating a
winter road linking the three existing exploration camps and exploration activities along
the Hackett Greenstone Belt.
Sabina will implement this A&R Plan and will continue to look for opportunities to
minimize or eliminate negative impacts to the environment as a result of its activities,
products and services at the Hackett River and Back River Projects.
Sabina Social and Environmental Policy
Sabina is committed to environmentally responsible and socially acceptable exploration
and mining practices. We are dedicated to creating and maintaining a safe environment
for both the land we occupy and the people that drive its success. The company's
philosophy is to conduct its operations to protect not only the environment, but the
health and safety of its employees and the public as well.
Sabina also subscribes to the principles of sustainable development in mining. While
exploration and mining cannot occur without an impact on the surrounding natural
environment and communities, our responsibility is to limit negative environmental and
social impacts and to enhance positive impacts.
To achieve these goals, Sabina is committed to:
•
Seeking to be environmental leaders in the mining community by integrating
responsible environmental management as an essential component of all
business decisions;
•
Comply with all applicable laws, regulations and standards; uphold the spirit
of the law and where laws do not adequately protect the environment, apply
standards that minimize any adverse environmental impacts resulting from
its operations;
•
Communicate openly with employees, the regulatory community and the
public on environmental issues and address concerns pertaining to potential
hazards and impacts;
•
Assess the potential affects of operations and integrate protective measures
into the planning process to prevent or reduce impacts to the environment
and on public health and safety;
•
Take appropriate corrective actions should unexpected environmental
impacts occur. This will also include taking appropriate action to prevent
reoccurrence of these impacts.
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•
Provide adequate resources, personnel and training so that all employees
are aware of and able to support implementation of the environmental and
social policy;
•
Conduct and support research and programs that improve understanding of
the local environment, conserve resources, minimize waste, improve
processes, and protect the environment.
•
Working with the appropriate local regulators and agencies, maximize
benefits to the affected communities and residents;
•
Balance all decisions with best management practices, scientific principles
and traditional knowledge.
Site Location and Description
The Hackett River and Back River Projects are located in the West Kitikmeot Region of
Nunavut about 100 km south of Bathurst Inlet.
The Projects lie within the Takijuq Lake Uplands ecoregion, which covers the south
central portion of the West Kitikmeot region. This area is made up of broad, sloping
uplands, plateaus, and lowlands, along with the rugged ridges of the Bathurst Hills
(WKRLUP, 2005). Much of the area is largely composed of unvegetated rock outcrops
and boulder fields. The landscape is characterized by higher elevations, which are
moderated by open water during the late summer and early fall. The Projects lie within
the Bathurst Inlet-Burnside Watershed and the area is dotted by thousands of lakes,
collected by streams or by one of the major rivers in the area.
The Projects lie within two geological provinces; the Slave Province and the Bear
Province. The Slave Geological Province is underlain by granite and related gneisses,
as well as by sedimentary and volcanic rocks (more than 2.5 billion years old). The Bear
Geological Province contains mainly volcanic and sedimentary rocks ranging in age
from about two billion years.
The mean annual temperature is approximately -10.5ºC with a summer mean of 6ºC and
a winter mean of -26.5ºC. The mean annual precipitation range is 200-300 mm
(Environment Canada website). The region is characterized by long dark winters and
short summers. The ground is covered in snow from October to June most years. Lakes
are ice-covered from approximately October to June most years, with ice thickness
reaching depths of over 2.0 metres. The area is one of continuous permafrost, meaning
the ground is permanently frozen throughout the year.
Sabina sees an opportunity to continue exploration activities in the area and to support
proposed exploration programs will construct and operate a winter road to support
exploration activities at Hackett River, Wishbone and Goose Lake Properties.
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Scope of Report
Sabina sees an opportunity to continue exploration activities in the area and to support
proposed exploration programs will construct and operate a winter road to redistribute
the current inventory of equipment and material between the three camps – Hackett
River, George Lake and Goose Lake. Sections of the winter corridor will also support
annual resupply efforts of the Hackett River camp and Wishbone exploration property.
These camps/exploration projects operate under their own permits and associated
Abandonment and Restoration Plans. This plan will only address abandonment and
restoration of the winter road.
Schedule of Abandonment and Reclamation
Operation of the winter road corridor between the camps is anticipated to be over a
three month period approximately mid February to end of May. The use will depend on
operational requirements, environmental conditions and weather conditions. Once the
movement of equipment, fuel, supplies and materials is completed the winter road will
be abandoned.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure along the winter road will be limited to 1 to 2 tents with survival equipment
and supplies. No fuel storage is planned along the route.
Progressive Reclamation
Over the course of the winter road operation, litter or contamination will be removed by
camp personnel. Response to spills, cleanup and disposal is outlined in the Sabina
Winter Road Spill Contingency Plan.
The winter road will be built when environmental conditions are such that the ice is thick
enough to support equipment and snow coverage is a minimum of 15cm to minimize
damage to soil and vegetation. Snow will be moved as needed to ensure safe passage
along the route and to maintain the minimum thickness of snow. Construction will be
based on guidance provided by the “Northern Land Use Guidelines, Access: Roads and
Trails (Draft)”, published by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, October 2008.
Final Abandonment and Restoration Plan
When the winter road is ready to be shut down for the season, it will be inspected for
any remaining litter, contamination and then cleaned up, stakes removed, and snow
piled at the entrances to prevent further use of the route. Survival tents and equipment
will be returned to camp and/or supplier.
At break-up the winter road would melt. The route would then be inspected during the
summer season with a helicopter to identify any remaining litter/debris and any possible
damage or contamination along the route. Environmental monitoring, studies and
reclamation activities would be built into on-going reclamation activities occurring as part
of the exploration program and be developed dependant on the nature of the impact to
the environment.
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It is anticipated that any final closure of the winter road led by Sabina would be
completed with approval of the appropriate regulatory parties.
Abandonment and Restoration Cost Estimate
The winter road will pose no impact to the land and waters so minimal restoration will be
needed.
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