Environmental Impacts
The plan would take into consideration both waste prevention and minimization and the guiding principle of pollution prevention. That is, source reduction as the most preferred method, followed by reuse, recycle/recovery, treatment, and the least preferred method being disposal.
Drilling activities will be mostly helicopter-supported (i.e. transport of drill rig, fuel and personnel), and will cause minimum disturbance to the land use area. Each drill site will use a maximum area of 20 m x 20 m, or 400 m2, and upon the completion of each drill hole the metal casings will be removed or cut-off at ground level, and all materials (including garbage, lumber, empty fuel drums) will be removed from the drill site area. The exact number and location of drill sites is unknown at this time, but a reasonable estimate would be 3-4 locations within the property.
A winter program would finish before break-up (approx. April-June), with the potential to recommence once snow and ice have melted (July-August), if warranted.
During drilling operations, drill water and cuttings will be pumped into a natural depression or hand-dug sump a minimum of 31 m from the normal high-water mark of any nearby water body. All drill muds/greases used will be nontoxic and biodegradable.
Motor oil and drilling additives will be stored in their respective containers at camp and at the drill, along with the appropriate spill response equipment. Empty containers will be backhauled from the drill on a regular basis to town where they will be reused (i.e. refilled) or shipped south at the end of the program to be disposed of at an approved facility upon arrival.
Drill sites will be fully equipped with secondary containment of all fuels and hazardous materials, and spill contingency equipment will be present at all locations where fuel and hazardous materials are stored. Please see document “Spill Contingency Plan – Luxx Project” in the Documents section for further information regarding fuel handling and the storage of fuel and hazardous material for the Project.
Waste Management
Waste Type |
Quantity Generated |
Treatement Method |
Disposal Method |
Combustible wastes |
Minimal |
n/a |
With permission, disposal in local landfill; otherwise, shipped south on the annual sealift. |
Hazardous |
20 litres |
n/a |
Used engine oils will be sealed and shipped south on the annual sealift for proper disposal. |
Non-Combustible wastes |
Minimal |
n/a |
With permission, disposal in local landfill; otherwise, shipped south on the annual sealift. |
Greywater |
75cm2 per drill hole |
n/a |
Drill cuttings/greywater will be deposited in natural depressions or hand-dug sumps greater than 31m above the normal high water mark of nearby water bodies. |