nico project ited - registry.mvlwb.caregistry.mvlwb.ca/documents/w2008l2-0004/nico mine -...

October 2013

NICO PROJECT

Waste/Incineration Management Plan

FORT

UNE

MINE

RALS

LIM

ITED

Report Number: 12-1373-0057

Submitted to: Wek'eezhii Land and Water Board

WASTE/INCINERATION MANAGEMENT PLAN - NICO PROJECT

October 2013 i Report No. 12-1373-0057

REVISION HISTORY Version Date Notes/Revisions

1 May 2011 Developers Assessment Report (DAR) Appendix 3.IV: Waste/Incineration Management Plan and Appendix 3.V: Hazardous Substances Management Plan

2 October 2013

Submitted with Water Licence and Land Use applications to the Wek’eezhii Land and Water Board. Includes process for identifying, describing, classifying and storage of all waste streams at the NICO Project, including hazardous substances management protocols. Includes personnel training, documentation and reporting processes. Developed in accordance with applicable legislative requirements and territorial guidelines.

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October 2013 ii Report No. 12-1373-0057

DISTRIBUTION LIST Waste Management Distribution List Revision/Date Location Position

2/ XX 2013 Head Office, London ON Chief Executive Officer 2/ XX 2013 Fortune Minerals Limited

NICO Project, NT NICO Mine Manager

2/ XX 2013 Fortune Minerals Limited NICO Project, NT SHE Manager

2/ XX 2013 Fortune Minerals Limited NICO Project, NT Environmental Coordinator

2/ XX 2013 Fortune Minerals Limited NICO Project, NT Construction Manager

2/ XX 2013 GNWT, North Slave Region ENR Division 2/ XX 2013 Aboriginal Affairs and Northern

Development Inspector

2/ XX 2013 Wek’èezhìı Land and Water Board Regulator 2/ XX 2013 GNWT, Yellowknife Department of Environment and

Natural Resources 2/ XX 2013 Environment Canada, Quebec Regulator



October 2013 iii Report No. 12-1373-0057

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Fortune Minerals Limited’s (Fortune) is planning to build the NICO Project, a gold, cobalt, bismuth, and copper mine in the Tłįchǫ region of the Northwest Territories. The NICO Project also includes the NICO Project Access Road (NPAR). As part of the proposed mine, there will be waste from the various materials will be used for its’ construction. These wastes will be non-hazardous and hazardous. Fortune is responsible for all wastes that come from the mine and NPAR and has planned the mine to deal with these wastes so they do not enter the environment and either attract wildlife or impact the environment. How these wastes will be treated, disposed of or transported off-site is described in this Waste/Incineration Management Plan (WMP). Hazardous wastes will not stay and be disposed at the mine site, they will be packaged properly and transported to a facility that is authorized to take them and dispose of them safely.

Handling, transportation, and storage procedures of wastes described in the WMP follow all federal and territorial legislation and guidelines, as well as guidelines from the Wek’eezhii Land and Water Board.

The NICO site will change from construction to operation so this WMP will be updated on a minimum annual basis, unless significant raw materials and their subsequent wastes are changed from what is outlined in this plan (then the plan will be updated sooner).



October 2013 iv Report No. 12-1373-0057

GLOSSARY Term Definition

Blackwater Used water from sanitary appliances that contains human fecal matter or human urine

Chemicals A compound or substance that has been purified or prepared Co-disposal Facility Facility for the disposal of Mineral Wastes (mine rock and tailings) as well as

non-hazardous, non-mineral wastes in minimal quantities (similar to a landfill) Effluent Treatment Facility Facility in which all wastewater will be treated (contaminants removed) by

physical, chemical, and biological processes to meet site-specific water quality objectives to be recycled or released into the environment

Explosives means gunpowder, blasting powder, nitroglycerine, gun-cotton, dynamite, blasting gelatine, gelignite, fulminates of mercury or of other metals and every other substance made, manufactured or used with a view to producing a violent effect by explosion

Greywater Used water from sanitary appliances other than blackwater or from other appliances in a kitchen or laundry

Hazardous Biological Waste

Any waste generated that contains or came in contact with tissue that came from a living organism which may or may not be infected with disease

Hazardous Material Materials that are potentially harmful to human health and/or the environment due to their nature and quantity, and that require special handling techniques

Incinerator Equipment that uses fuel and oxygen to combust materials (wood, paper, cardboard, food waste & packaging, sewage sludge), resulting in ash, gas and heat

Laboratory Chemical Waste

Any compounds or substances that have been prepared for the laboratory purposes including period testing and sampling of environmental sources (soil, water, vegetation) and minerals

Landfarm Infrastructure that uses biological and physical processes to treat (remove contaminants) contaminated soil

Materials Sorting Facility Facility that is used to sort and store incoming materials as well as generated waste (including hazardous and non-hazardous waste), until it is transported off-site to approved waste disposal facility or disposed of in the Co-disposal facility (with or without incineration).

Mineral Waste Waste generated from the extraction of minerals from rocks. Mine rock (non-valuable rock separated from valuable minerals) and tailings (by-product of mineral processing)

Non-Mineral Waste Synonym for solid, domestic waste, including woods, plastics, scrap metals, rubber, food wastes & packaging, sewage, cardboard and paper

Petroleum Hydrocarbon Materials

Any number of solvents refined from petroleum product

Sewage Treatment Plant Facility that uses physical and biological processes to treat (remove contaminants) grey water and sewage so that the resulting water may be recycled or released into the environment without causing negative impacts to human or environmental health

Spill Discharge of contaminant in contravention of the Environmental Protection Act



October 2013 v Report No. 12-1373-0057

Term Definition

Wastewater

Includes a) blackwater; b) greywater; c) used water – other than blackwater or greywater- from an industrial, commercial or institutional facility that is mixed with blackwater; or d) surface runoff and stormwater that is mixed with blackwater

ACRONYMS Abbreviation Definition

CCME Canadian Council of the Minister of Environment’s CDF Co-disposal Facility Fortune Fortune Minerals Limited GNWT Government of the Northwest Territories HWTA Hazardous Waste Transfer Area MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets MSF Materials Sorting Facility NPAR NICO Project Access Road NWT Northwest Territories PHC Petroleum Hydrocarbon WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System WMP Waste/Incineration Management Plan



October 2013 vi Report No. 12-1373-0057

Table of Contents

REVISION HISTORY .................................................................................................................................................................. I

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................................. III

GLOSSARY .............................................................................................................................................................................. IV

ACRONYMS .............................................................................................................................................................................. V

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 NICO Project Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 1

1.2 Scope and Purpose ............................................................................................................................................. 3

1.3 Fortune Minerals Limited Environmental Policy ................................................................................................... 5

1.4 Applicable Regulatory Requirements ................................................................................................................... 5

1.5 Responsible Parties ............................................................................................................................................. 7

2.0 WASTE MANAGEMENT PROCESSES AND PRINCIPLES ............................................................................................ 8

2.1 Principles of Waste Management ........................................................................................................................ 8

2.2 Definition of Wastes ........................................................................................................................................... 10

2.3 Waste Sources .................................................................................................................................................. 10

3.0 IDENTIFICATION, DESCRIPTION, CLASSIFICATION, AND STORAGE PLAN .......................................................... 13

3.1 Hazardous/Potentially Hazardous Substances Management ............................................................................ 13

3.1.1 Petroleum Hydrocarbon Materials ................................................................................................................ 15

3.1.1.1 Used Oil .................................................................................................................................................... 17

3.1.1.2 Hydraulic Fluid .......................................................................................................................................... 17

3.1.1.3 Used Oil and Fuel Filters .......................................................................................................................... 17

3.1.1.4 Used Rags and Sorbents .......................................................................................................................... 17

3.1.1.5 Empty Petroleum Hydrocarbon Containers and Drums ............................................................................ 17

3.1.1.6 Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contamination .................................................................................................... 17

3.1.2 Chemicals .................................................................................................................................................... 18

3.1.2.1 Glycol ........................................................................................................................................................ 18

3.1.2.2 Solvents .................................................................................................................................................... 19

3.1.2.3 Waste Batteries ........................................................................................................................................ 19

3.1.2.4 Aerosol Cans ............................................................................................................................................ 20



October 2013 vii Report No. 12-1373-0057

3.1.2.5 Paints ........................................................................................................................................................ 20

3.1.2.6 Fluorescent Lamp Tubes .......................................................................................................................... 20

3.1.2.7 Waste Chemical Containers ..................................................................................................................... 20

3.1.3 Laboratory Chemical Wastes ....................................................................................................................... 21

3.1.4 Explosives .................................................................................................................................................... 21

3.1.4.1 Explosives Management ........................................................................................................................... 21

3.1.4.2 Environmental Management ..................................................................................................................... 23

3.1.5 Hazardous Biological Waste ........................................................................................................................ 24

3.2 Mineral Waste .................................................................................................................................................... 24

3.2.1 Mine Rock and Tailings ................................................................................................................................ 24

3.3 Non-Mineral Waste ............................................................................................................................................ 24

3.3.1 Conveyor Belts and Tires ............................................................................................................................. 24

3.3.2 Vehicles ....................................................................................................................................................... 24

3.3.3 Plastics ......................................................................................................................................................... 24

3.3.4 Scrap Metal .................................................................................................................................................. 24

3.3.5 Sandblasting Residues ................................................................................................................................ 24

3.3.6 Electronic and Electrical Equipment ............................................................................................................. 25

3.3.7 Cardboard, Paper and Waste Lumber ......................................................................................................... 25

3.3.8 Food Waste and Packaging ......................................................................................................................... 25

3.3.9 General Camp Waste ................................................................................................................................... 25

3.3.10 Sewage Sludge ............................................................................................................................................ 26

3.3.11 Miscellaneous Waste ................................................................................................................................... 26

4.0 WASTE INFRASTRUCTURE ......................................................................................................................................... 27

4.1 Materials Sorting Facility .................................................................................................................................... 27

4.2 Co-Disposal Facility ........................................................................................................................................... 28

4.3 Incinerator .......................................................................................................................................................... 28

4.4 Sewage Treatment Plant, Wastewater, and Effluent Treatment Facility ............................................................ 29

4.5 Landfarm ........................................................................................................................................................... 29

5.0 TRAINING ....................................................................................................................................................................... 31

6.0 HAZARDOUS WASTE TRANSFER AREA OPERATING PLAN ................................................................................... 32

6.1 Safety Procedures ............................................................................................................................................. 32



October 2013 viii Report No. 12-1373-0057

7.0 MONITORING, REPORTING, AND REVIEW ................................................................................................................. 33

8.0 CONTINGENCIES .......................................................................................................................................................... 34

9.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................................ 35

Tables

Table 1.1-1: Overview of the NICO Project Timelines and General Activities ............................................................................ 3

Table 2.3-1: Hazardous or Potentially Hazardous Waste Source and Potential Environmental Effects ................................... 11

Table 2.3-2: Solid Waste Source and Potential Environmental Effects .................................................................................... 11

Table 2.3-3: Mineral Waste Source and Potential Environmental Effects ................................................................................ 12

Table 3.1-1: Hazardous Materials Potentially Stored at Site for Mine Construction ................................................................. 13

Table 3.1-2: Petroleum Storage, Potential Impacts, and Proper Handling ............................................................................... 16

Table 3.1-3: Ethylene Glycol Storage, Potential Impacts and Proper Handling Procedures .................................................... 18

Table 3.1-4: Varsol Solvent Storage, Potential Impacts, and Proper Handling Procedures ..................................................... 19

Table 3.1-5: Explosives Storage, Potential Impacts, and Proper Handling Procedures ........................................................... 22

Table 4.1-1: General duties for Hazardous Waste Transfer Area Personnel ........................................................................... 27

Table 4.1-2: Daily Inspection Schedule for Hazardous Waste Transfer Area Personnel ......................................................... 28

Table 4.1-3: Inspection Schedule for Management .................................................................................................................. 28

FIGURES Figure 1.1-1: Location of NICO Project ...................................................................................................................................... 2

Figure 1.2-1: Waste Management Locations for NICO Project .................................................................................................. 4

Figure 2.1-1: Waste Minimization Hierarchy ............................................................................................................................... 8

APPENDICES APPENDIX A Waste Infrastructure Engineering Design Reports

Appendix B Incinerator Management Plan



October 2013 1 Report No. 12-1373-0057

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 NICO Project Overview Fortune Minerals Limited (Fortune) proposes to construct and operate the NICO Project, a Gold-Cobalt-Bismuth-Copper mine located approximately 160 kilometres (km) northwest of Yellowknife, 50 km northeast of Whatì and approximately 10 km east of Hislop Lake in the Northwest Territories (NWT). The NICO Project will take 12 to 20 months to build which includes time for building the NICO Project Access Road (NPAR) (see Figure 1.1-1). The mine will operate for approximately 18 to 20 years, dependent on reserves as an open pit mine; however, in the first two years underground mining will also occur.

The infrastructure proposed at the NICO Project includes:

an open pit and underground mine;

processing facilities, which include crushing, grinding, flotation, and service components;

a mine rock and tailings management area;

Effluent and Sewage Treatment Facilities;

camp and truck shop;

site services infrastructure, such as water lines, electrical distribution, site roads, and power plant;

NPAR; and

sewage waste treatment, incinerator, and material sorting facilities.

The mine will process ore at a rate of 4,650 metric tonnes (t) per day for 18 to 20 years, dependent on reserves. The mineral processing plant is expected to produce 185 t of bulk concentrate per day for a total of 67,500 t per year for shipment via truck and rail to a processing facility in Saskatchewan. Elimination of concentrate processing substantially reduces the amount of chemicals, including cyanide, required at the NICO Project. Rock from the mine containing minerals (the ore) will be crushed in three stages to very fine sand sized grains. This fine ore will be fed to the mineral processing plant where it will be further ground down, and then the valuable minerals will be separated from the fine rock in a three stage process (called flotation) to produce a concentrate. The rock material not containing valuable mineral (tailings) will be disposed of (along with other non-processed, non-valuable mine rock) in the Co-Disposal Facility (CDF). Floatation chemical, reviewed during the DAR, will be used to produce concentratate. The final concentrate will be shipped to a processing facility in Saskatchewan.

This Waste/Incineration Management Plan (WMP) is included in water license application to the Wek’eezhii Land and Water Board.

Upon issuance of a Water Licence, Fortune plans to begin construction of the site and NPAR commencing during non-frozen conditions of the same or consecutive year. All equipment required for construction would be brought to site during frozen conditions.

The conceptual NICO Project schedule is presented in Table 1.1-1.


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Base data obtained from Atlas of Canada, GeoGratis, and ESRI.Projection: UTM Zone 11 Datum: NAD 83

REFERENCE

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EXISTING ALL-WEATHER ROADEXISTING WINTER ROADHIGHWAY

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Table 1.1-1: Overview of the NICO Project Timelines and General Activities Schedule Phase General Activity

-1 to 0 Construction Building of NICO Project Access Road -1 to 0 Construction Site Preparation 0 to 1 Construction Building Co-Disposal Facility 0 to 2 Construction open pit mining; Pre-Stripping -1 to 1 Construction Building Site Infrastructure, including Plant 2 to 3.5 Operation Underground mining End of 1 Plant Commissioning Start-up of Plant Operations 1 to 20 Operation Open pit mining

2 to 20 Closure and Reclamation Progressive reclamation of the Co-Disposal Facility

21 to 22 Closure and Reclamation Active Closure- Interim closure and removal of most site infrastructure

22+ Closure and Reclamation Passive closure with active filling of the open pit starts

1.2 Scope and Purpose The governing objective of the WMP is to minimize the potential for adverse effects to the environment, including land, water, air, vegetation, wildlife, and habitats. The WMP has incorporated reduction of wildlife attraction practices to eliminate or reduce the effect of the NICO Project wastes on wildlife.

The WMP includes the following:

a summary of regulatory requirements;

guidelines and operating procedures for managing the different waste streams expected to occur at the NICO Project;

associated waste management infrastructure, including their management protocols;

employee and contractor’s training requirements; and

waste manifests and reporting procedures.

The scope of this plan is to cover waste management for the duration of the construction phase of the NICO Project. Prior to start-up of the mineral processing plant, the WMP will be revised to accommodate for changes during operations to waste management. Figure 1.2-1 shows the waste management locations for the NICO Project that will be described in the WIMP.


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Topographic mapping obtained from Eagle Mapping,Fortune Minerals Limited, 2006 (File: Basemapping FML, 20060718).dwg)

Open Pit Configuration - Provided by P & E Mining Consultants Inc. (File: End_of_year2031.dxf Received August 26, 2010)

Advanced Exploration Infrastructure - Provided by Aker Solutions (File: 0000g001D.dwg Received October 25, 2010)

Projection: UTM Zone11 Datum: NAD 83

REFERENCE

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FIGURE: 1.2-1PROJECT NO. 12-1373-0057 SCALE AS SHOWN

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1.3 Fortune Minerals Limited Environmental Policy Fortune is committed to conducting its business activities in an environmentally sound manner and takes responsibility to minimize effects on the environment at all stages of development. The organization seeks to continuously improve its environmental performance by establishing comprehensive environmental management programs to ensure: environmental effects are being adequately addressed, controls are in place to verify compliance with policies and procedures, environmental activities are supported by adequate resources, and plans are in place to protect the environment for future generations. To manage its business interests, Fortune will:

1) comply with all environmental laws and regulations and in absence of regulation, apply relevant best management practices;

2) establish and maintain clearly defined environmental management programs to guide its operations from exploration to final reclamation;

3) verify that its directors, officers, and employees understand and adhere to its environmental management programs;

4) provide its managers and supervisors at each operation with the authority and resources necessary to carry out applicable environmental management programs;

5) develop an adaptive management system that will periodically review environmental management programs as scientific knowledge and stakeholder expectations evolve;

6) openly communicate and work with government, indigenous peoples, employees, business partners, suppliers, and local communities to develop mutual understanding of environmental issues and awareness that may affect the NICO Project;

7) minimize and mitigate its environmental impacts and support environmental enhancement programs of common benefit;

8) continuously review environmental achievements and available technologies to seek and implement methods for further improvement;

9) Regularly review environmental response plans to verify compliance with the corporate policy and applicable regulations. Identify revisions or improvements to current practices in order to minimize environmental impacts; and

10) allocate sufficient resources to meet Fortunes’ environmental goals

1.4 Applicable Regulatory Requirements Waste management is regulated under the Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) Waste Reduction and Recovery Act, Mine Health and Safety Act, Public Health Act, Environmental Protection Act and the federal Environmental Protection Act. In addition to mandatory requirements, a number of waste management guidelines are used in the NWT. Both federal and territorial legislation regulates hazardous materials that may be used at the NICO Project. Those that have been referred to and principals of which have been adopted for the purpose of developing this plan are listed below:




Federal

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act 1992 (S.C. 1992, c. 34);

Explosives Act, 1985 (R.S.C., 1985, c. E-17);

National Fire Code (NRCan 2010);

Canadian Council of the Minister of Environment’s (CCME) Guidelines for Above-Ground Storage Tanks (CCME 2003);

CCME Environmental Quality Guidelines (contaminated soils remediation) (CCME 2002) ; and

Canada-Wide Standards for Dioxins and Furans (CCME 2001).

Territorial

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations (RSNWT 1990, c. 81 (Supp));

Explosive Use Act and Regulations (RSNWT, 1988 c. E-10 & 1990)

Fire Prevention Act and Regulations (RSNWT 1988, c. F-6)

Mine Health and Safety Act and Regulations (SNWT 1994, c. 25)

Work Site Hazardous Materials Information Systems Regulations (RRNWT 1990, c. S-2 (Safety Act))

NWT Guideline for the Management of Biomedical Waste (GNWT 1995)

NWT Guideline for Waste Asbestos (GNWT 2004)

NWT Guideline for Contaminated Site Remediation (GNWT 2003)

NWT Guideline for Industrial Waste Discharges (GNWT 2004)

NWT Guideline for General Management of Hazardous Waste (GNWT 1998)

NWT Guideline for Waste Lead and Lead Paint (GNWT 1998)

NWT Guideline for Waste Solvents (GNWT 1998)

NWT Guideline for Waste Antifreeze (GNWT 1998)

NWT Guideline for Waste Paint (GNWT 1998)

NWT Guideline for Waste Batteries (GNWT 1998)

Other guidance documents used in developing this WMP include those from the GNWT Municipal and Community Affairs and those referenced in the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board’s Guidelines for Developing a Waste Management Plan (2011).




1.5 Responsible Parties Fortune’s Safety, Health, and Environmental department staff (including SHE Manager, Environmental Coordinator etc.) will be responsible for implementing, reviewing, and updating the WMP. Each waste infrastructure identified in this WMP (Section 4.0) will have standard operating procedures, prior to construction, for waste management and an assigned manager for that area will be responsible for daily, weekly and monthly inspections. They will be required to sign-off and comment on deficiencies and effectiveness of the procedures and waste management resources available to them.

The Hazardous Waste Transfer Area (HWTA) operator will be responsible for waste manifest tracking for all hazardous materials entering and leaving the NICO Project. These documents will be reviewed by the SHE Manager on a weekly and monthly basis.




2.0 WASTE MANAGEMENT PROCESSES AND PRINCIPLES 2.1 Principles of Waste Management Following the guidance of federal and territorial waste management legislation and guidelines, Fortune strives to prevent potential impacts to personnel and environmental health of waste generated by the NICO Project by executing the following principles in all aspects of managing wastes from purchasing to disposal.

When technically and economically feasible, Fortune will implement the preferred waste hierarchy in Figure 2.1-1.

Figure 2.1-1: Waste Minimization Hierarchy Source: MVLWB (2011)

Reduce: Source reduction is a primary means of minimizing wastes. Where possible, the purchasing department will source supplies that minimize packaging (e.g., bulk purchasing) and involve packaging that is returnable, re-usable, or recyclable. In addition to packaging, non-hazardous materials will be preferred and purchased over those that might generate hazardous wastes.

Reuse: Where possible, the potential for reuse of materials that might otherwise be considered waste will be investigated. For instance, wood form-work may be useful for other construction, or containers used to bring in new materials could be used to contain similar materials being recovered for recycling (e.g., new oil and waste oil). A construction and plant parts laydown area will be established to use as a source of spare parts.

Recycle/Recover: Fortune will construct a MSF at the NICO Project to centralize and facilitate source separation and processing of waste streams. In this facility, plastics, metals, glass, e-waste (electrical/electronic materials), and paper products will be segregated and packaged for shipment to receivers for recycling off-site.




The recovery of energy from wastes is the fourth level of waste minimization. The mine site will be dependent on imported energy (primarily diesel) at substantial cost; therefore, energy generated from waste materials will be investigated by Fortune.

To facilitate the separation process at this centralized MSF, separation of waste classes will be practised at the sources of the waste (working and living areas) through the use of designated containers. Separate containers will be located in convenient locations in the accommodations complex, service complex, the mineral processing plant, underground shops, and other facilities for point-of-origin sorting of domestic waste. Large containers will be located at each major facility to separately collect burnable materials, and recyclable materials, such as scrap metal, timber, tires, and unsalvageable equipment.

In addition to the general recyclable waste types identified above, items that will be segregated for off-site removal include the following:

lead-acid batteries;

oil filters;

paint residues;

auto parts;

automotive fluids;

empty drums; and

alkaline and similar batteries.

Some of these are further discussed in Section 3.1 Hazardous/Potentially Hazardous Waste.

When sufficient quantities of separated materials are collected they will be compacted and/or bailed, put on pallets or in crates and shipped to the appropriate receiver.

The greatest potential for energy recovery from waste is from used oil and contaminated diesel. Fortune intends to use these fuel sources for heating fuel. Fortune may also recover heat from the incinerator and electrical generators to heat buildings and processes. These options will be explored through the development of the NICO Project.

Treatment: Treatment methods involve reducing the volume, mass and/or toxicity of a waste prior to disposal. The NICO Project will incorporate treatment methods as a fourth level of waste minimization in the forms of thermal, physical, chemical, and biological processes.

Thermal: Combustion in the form of incineration will transform waste into ash, whereby reducing the volume of waste to be disposed.

Physical: This process includes wastewater treatment through filtration, flotation, gravity separation, adsorption, and other techniques. It does not directly reduce the volume or toxicity of a waste but makes management of the waste more efficient and effective.




Chemical: Treatment of waste with chemicals will be used when required in order to reduce toxicity or transform the waste into a more manageable entity.

Biological: Biological treatment processes reduces toxicity and transforms waste materials into other, more desirable forms. Landfarming will be implemented at the NICO Project to treat hydrocarbon impacted soils.

Disposal: As a last resort, disposal of waste may be required when the other levels of waste minimization cannot be used. All waste to be disposed of will be separated and contained appropriately in the MSF until it is transported to approved disposal facilities.

2.2 Definition of Wastes The following three main types of waste will be generated at the NICO Project:

hazardous/potentially hazardous;

mineral; and

solid.

Hazardous/Potentially Hazardous Waste: A contaminant which is a dangerous good that is no longer used for its original purpose and is intended for recycling, treatment, disposal, or storage. A hazardous waste does not include a contaminant that is:

a) Household in origin;

b) Included in Class 1 explosives or Class 7 radioactive materials of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations;

c) An empty container; or

d) Intended for disposal in a sewage system or by landfilling that meet the applicable standards set out in Schedules I, III or IV of the Guideline for Industrial Waste Discharges in the NWT (1998).

Mineral Waste: Waste generated from mineral sources.

Solid Waste: All other wastes that do not fall under hazardous/potentially hazardous and/or mineral waste.

2.3 Waste Sources Tables 2.3-1 to 2.3-3 present estimated volumes/mass and potential environmental effects related to the waste source generated at the NICO Project. Mineral wastes are listed in Table 2.3-3; however, they will not be discussed further in the WMP. See the Mine Rock Waste Management Plan and the Co-Disposal Facility Management Plan for details.




Table 2.3-1: Hazardous or Potentially Hazardous Waste Source and Potential Environmental Effects

Waste Source Disposal Volume/Mass Potential Environmental Effects

Ash or incinerator residue

Minimal. 2-3 kg per person of solid waste feedstock will be incinerated, resulting in 90% volume reduction. The ash/incinerator residue is expected to be inert and will be disposed of in CDF.

Water, Soils, Wildlife, Air, Vegetation

Lead acid and alkaline batteries Minimal. These will be recovered and recycled off-site.

Equipment containing ozone depleting substances (e.g., refrigerators)

Minimal. These will be recovered and recycled off-site.

Chemical wastes – liquids and solids

Minimal. Most chemical wastes will be used up completely in the processes they are involved in.

Electrical equipment Minimal. These will be recovered and recycled off-site.

Sludges Minimal. Sewage sludge will be incinerated, reducing volume to at least 90%, resulting in an inert substance to be disposed in CDF.

Contaminated soils Minimal. This source will only be generated as a result of a spill. Contaminated soils will be treated in a landfarm to remediate and returned to the land.

Used oil, fuels, lubricants, greases, oil filters, and solvents

Minimal. These will be incinerated and/or recycled off-site. Incinerated ash will be disposed of in the CDF.

Table 2.3-2: Solid Waste Source and Potential Environmental Effects

Waste Source Disposal Volume/Mass Potential Environmental Effects

Domestic refuse

Minimal. 2-3 kg per person of solid waste feedstock will be incinerated, resulting in 90% volume reduction. The ash/incinerator residue is expected to be inert and will be disposed of in CDF.

Soils, Water, Air, Wildlife, Vegetation

Bulky metals (vehicles, equipment) Minimal. These will be recycled off-site.

Scrap metal Minimal. These will be recycled off-site.

Inert waste (brick, glass) Minimal. Inert waste will be managed through the 4R’s Principals and if disposal is necessary, it will be disposed of in the CDF.

Plastics Minimal. These will be recycled off-site.

Construction materials Minimal. These will be recycled and or disposed of in the Incinerator/ CDF.

Rubber products – tires and conveyor belts

Minimal. These will be recovered and recycled on-site or off-site.




Table 2.3-3: Mineral Waste Source and Potential Environmental Effects Waste Source Volume/Mass Potential Environmental Effects

Tailings 30 Mt Acid generation, hazardous leachate materials (contamination of soils, surface and groundwater, toxic effects on wildlife)

Mine rock 96.9 Mt Acid generation, hazardous leachate materials (contamination of soils, surface and groundwater, toxic effects on wildlife)




3.0 IDENTIFICATION, DESCRIPTION, CLASSIFICATION, AND STORAGE PLAN

3.1 Hazardous/Potentially Hazardous Substances Management Potentially hazardous materials at the NICO Project are classified and described in the following sections as such:

petroleum hydrocarbon materials;

chemicals;

laboratory chemicals;

explosives; and

hazardous biological materials.

Material safety data sheets (MSDSs) will be available for hazardous materials located on-site. Copies of pertinent MSDSs for products used at site will be available at the mine office and first aid stations. Pertinent subsets of the MSDSs will also be available in the designated work areas where the hazardous materials are to be used. In addition, a digital data base of MSDSs will be maintained. All NICO personnel will be required to complete the WHMIS training module.

Table 3.1-1 summarizes the hazardous materials that will be stored in bulk quantities. A full inventory of these materials will be maintained by Fortune and made available upon request. The waste storage and disposal locations can be found in Figure 1.2-1 and described in Section 4.0 Waste Infrastructure.

Table 3.1-1: Hazardous Materials Potentially Stored at Site for Mine Construction

Material Classification Category

Approximate Amount

Storage Location Waste Disposal Location

Diesel Fuel Petroleum hydrocarbon materials

4,000,000 litres

Fuel Storage areas, mobile tanks, day tanks for pumps, incinerator, and emergency generators

Hazardous Waste Transfer Area (HWTA); Transported off-site to approved disposal facility.

Gasoline Petroleum hydrocarbon materials

10,000 litres Enviro-tank in fuel storage area HWTA; Transported off-site

to approved disposal facility.

Gear Oils and Lubricants

Petroleum hydrocarbon materials

5,500 litres 205 L drums in cold storage warehouse and service complex

HWTA; Incinerator/CDF; Transported off-site to approved disposal facility.

Emulsion Explosives 40 tonnes Bulk silo; explosives storage area

HWTA; Transported off-site to approved disposal facility.

Ammonium Nitrate Explosives 130 tonnes Bulk silo; explosives

storage area HWTA; Transported off-site to approved disposal facility

Antifreeze/ Glycol Chemicals 1,000 litres

250 L drums in cold storage warehouse and maintenance areas

HWTA; Transported off-site to approved disposal facility



Table 3.1-1: Hazardous Materials Potentially Stored at Site for Mine Construction (continued)


Material Classification Category

Approximate Amount

Storage Location Waste Disposal Location

Propane Petroleum hydrocarbon materials

5,000 litres Camp kitchen cylinder storage HWTA; Transported off-site

to approved disposal facility

Cement Chemicals 10,000 tonnes

Bulk tote; cold storage warehouse

HWTA; Transported off-site to approved disposal facility

Concrete Additives Chemicals 2,000 litres 250 L drums in cold

storage warehouse HWTA; Transported off-site to approved disposal facility

Lead Acid Batteries Chemicals Max 1,000 kg Cold Storage warehouse HWTA; Transported off-site

to approved disposal facility

Life Cycle Management Life cycle management refers to the assessment and management of a particular product from the time a material need is identified to the time the product is fully consumed or disposed. It covers product supply, handling, recycling, and disposal. Fortune is committed to the proper life cycle management of potentially hazardous materials used at the NICO Project site. Fortune and its contractors will deal only with reputable, certified suppliers and carriers for the supply, delivery, and disposal of potentially hazardous materials.

Purchasing Purchase orders dealing with hazardous materials will require, as condition of payment, copies of applicable MSDSs with the shipments in protected envelopes marked as such, if a copy of the MSDS does not already exist on-site for the material or materials in the order. This procedure will verify that hazardous materials shipped to the NICO site come with written data on the recommended safe handling and storage procedures attached to each shipment. Copies of the MSDSs will be retained in the mine office where they will be available to employees.

In many cases, the potentially hazardous materials used on-site will have no substitutes in the process or for the intended use. However, when alternatives exist, substances with a lower potential hazard will be favoured, if suitable.

Where alternatives exist, preference will be given to suppliers that accept the return of used containers, and/or excess/obsolete materials. Minimization of waste is a priority for the NICO Project and will be taken into account during the purchasing stage of potentially hazardous material.

Delivery Hazardous materials will be delivered to site by commercial carriers in accordance with the requirements of the TDGA. Carriers will be licensed and inspected as required by the Department of Transportation. Required permits, licences, and certificates of compliance will be the responsibility of the carrier. Shipments will be properly identified and placarded. Shipping papers must be accessible and include information describing the substance, immediate health hazards, fire and explosion risks, immediate precautions, fire-fighting information, procedures for handling leaks or spills, first aid measures, and emergency response telephone numbers.




Each transportation company will be required to have a current spill prevention, control, and response plan to address the materials they are transporting to the NICO Project. In the event of a release during transport, the commercial transportation company will be responsible for first response and cleanup.

On-site Handling Once potentially hazardous materials are received at the workplace, additional regulations apply. Workplace hazardous materials identification system legislation requires the proper labelling of products, the availability of product information in the form of MSDSs, and employee education on how to identify and handle hazardous products. Hazardous materials will be stored in secured areas to prevent access by unauthorized personnel or tampering.

Although supplies will be shipped to site on a regular basis using the proposed all-weather road, inventory control and rotation will ensure that older stock is used ahead of newer stock to avoid shelf life expiry and minimize waste. Fortune will implement an inventory tracking and control system that documents items such as:

expiration dates;

quantities remaining in stock;

priority of usage;

rates of usage; and

projected dates for re-ordering of stock items.

Hazardous materials will be stored in permanent purpose-built designated facilities, such as fuel storage tanks, explosives magazines, steel shipping containers (sea cans), and within mill reagent storage containers. Tanks used for the storage of liquid materials will be installed within secondary containment sized to hold at least 110% of the volume of the largest tank. Tanks and vessels in the mineral processing plant will be installed on concrete surfaces sloping to interior sumps that will route spilled solutions to lined collection areas.

Hazardous materials released during handling have the potential to affect the environment, as well as the personnel using these substances. The Emergency Response Plan and Spill Contingency Plan outline the planned response protocols to address accidental spills or releases of potentially hazardous materials to minimize health risks and environmental effects. Included are procedures for initial response to halt and/or contain spilled material, evacuating personnel, cleanup activity, emergency contacts, internal and external notifications to regulatory authorities, and incident documentation. Site personnel involved in the handling of such hazardous materials will be trained in emergency response procedures.

3.1.1 Petroleum Hydrocarbon Materials These materials will be primarily transported to site during frozen conditions prior to the NICO Project proposed construction activity commences. The original materials will be stored in the following locations; fuel storage areas (temporary and/or permanent), site services complex/truck shop, mobile service vehicles, day tanks and any other areas requiring the use of these materials, providing they are equipped with the appropriate secondary containment, spill kits and first aid kits for the volume being stored. A summary of these materials and their storage, potential impacts and proper handling procedures are presented in Table 3.1-2.




Table 3.1-2: Petroleum Storage, Potential Impacts, and Proper Handling

Material TDG Class Potential Impact Product Handling Protective Equipment

Diesel 3 Snow, ice, water, vegetation, soil

Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Avoid breathing vapors, mist, fume, or dust. Do not swallow. May be aspirated into lungs. Wear protective equipment and/or garments if exposure conditions warrant. Wash thoroughly after handling. Launder contaminated clothing before reuse. Use with adequate ventilation. Keep away from heat, sparks, and flames. Store in a well-ventilated area. Store in a closed container. Bond and ground during transfer.

Chemical goggles

Neoprene or nitrile gloves, protective garments

Not usually required

Motor Oil 3 Snow, ice, water, vegetation, soil

Wear protective clothing and impervious gloves when working with used motor oils

Chemical goggles



Gasoline 3 Snow, ice, water, vegetation, soil

Avoid skin contact. Launder contaminated clothing before reuse. Store in a flammable liquids area. Store away from heat, ignition sources, and open flames. Gasoline will burn vigorously and can explode with the right fuel-air mixture (between lower explosives limit and upper explosives limit).

Chemical goggles


Not usually required, provide adequate ventilation

Hydraulic Fluid 3 Snow, ice, water,

vegetation, soil Keep container closed until ready for use Chemical goggles



Grease 3 Negligible

Minimize breathing vapour, mist, or fumes. Avoid prolonged or repeated contact with skin. Remove contaminated clothing; launder or dry-clean before re-use. Remove contaminated shoes and thoroughly clean before re-use; discard if oil-soaked. Cleanse skin thoroughly after contact, before breaks and meals, and at end of work period. Product is readily removed from skin by waterless hand cleaners followed by washing thoroughly with soap and water. To prevent fire or explosion risk from static accumulation and discharge, effectively ground product transfer system in accordance with the National Fire Code. Keep containers closed when not in use. Do not store near heat, sparks, flame, or strong oxidants.

Chemical goggles






If none of the 4R Principals can be used, disposal of petroleum hydrocarbon wastes will be initiated by segregation and temporary storage in HWTA followed by both incineration and disposal of ash in the CDF, or shipped off-site to an approved hazardous waste disposal facility. Details are provided below.

3.1.1.1 Used Oil Waste lubricating oils, generated from vehicles and mobile/stationary equipment, including generators and pumps will be collected and stored in empty bulk lubricant cubes. Used lubricating oil can be combusted in specially designed burners for heat generation in various facilities around site. Excess waste oil not fit for combustion; will be backhauled to the product supplier or to a registered hazardous waste disposal facility.

3.1.1.2 Hydraulic Fluid When possible, Fortune will filter and reprocess hydraulic fluid for reuse in site equipment. Hydraulic fluid that cannot be reprocessed can be combusted in the incinerator or should be transferred to clearly labeled, tightly sealed, sound containers, such as steel drums, for storage until it can be backhauled to the product supplier or to a registered hazardous waste disposal facility.

3.1.1.3 Used Oil and Fuel Filters Waste oil and fuel filters must be drained at temperatures above 15°C for a minimum 48 hours prior to disposal. The filters will then be crushed to release additional oil and reducing disposal volume in the HWTA. Once drained and crushed, the waste filters will be placed in clearly labelled, tightly sealed, sound containers such as steel drums located near the drainage area until it is transported to a petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) product supplier or registered hazardous waste disposal facility.

3.1.1.4 Used Rags and Sorbents Used rags and sorbents will be stored in a well-ventilated area in clearly labelled, tightly sealed, sound containers such as steel drums. Drums will be located in close proximity to the waste generating source such as the truck shop and other maintenance facilities. Rags and sorbent pads will be incinerated. Granular sorbent will be collected in drums and transported to a PHC products supplier or registered hazardous waste disposal facility.

3.1.1.5 Empty Petroleum Hydrocarbon Containers and Drums Empty PHC containers will be stored in a designated area within the HWTA and returned to the supplier, when there are enough for a truckload to be transported in bulk.

3.1.1.6 Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contamination Fortune will minimize the potential for PHC-impacted soils, snow and ice and rock by lining storage facilities, proactively maintaining and inspecting mobile/stationary equipment, using refuelling drip trays, and lining fuel loading and unloading zones. In spite of these measures, spills, leaks, or pipe ruptures can occur resulting in PHC contamination.

In the event of a spill, the contaminating materials will be cleaned up immediately in accordance with the NICO Project Spill Contingency Plan.

PHC-impacted sediments and soils should be isolated and handled as outlined in the Spill Contingency Plan. Impacted sediments and soils that meet landfarm acceptance criteria, as outlined in Section 4.6,




should be transported directly to the landfarm for placement in one of two graded areas as directed by the environment coordinator. Contaminated soils exceeding landfarm acceptance criteria, or those not approved for landfarm treatment, should be considered hazardous waste and packaged for off-site transport to a registered treatment facility. Packaged PHC-impacted sediments and soils can be stored at the HWTA until inventoried for backhaul.

Small volumes of PHC-impacted snow and ice should be collected immediately and transferred into designated drums, as discussed in the Spill Contingency Plan. Drums should be transported directly to the landfarm for placement in one of two sump areas, as directed by the Environment Coordinator. Larger volumes may require trucking of the snow to the MSF and decontamination of the truck box and tires. Snow and ice can be dumped on a soilless portion of the upstream landfarm area and pushed into the sump with a bulldozer, or other equipment. Meltwater, generated from the contaminated snow and ice, will be accommodated using the water management procedures outlined in the Landfarm Management Plan. Further description of the landfarm can be found in section 4.5.

3.1.2 Chemicals Chemicals required for construction of the NICO Project are listed below and the majority will be transported to the site cold storage warehouse during frozen conditions prior to commencement of construction activities. Chemicals may also be stored in daily, small quality volumes are; potable water treatment plant, site services complex/truck shop, camp and maintenance areas.

Chemicals that are expected to be on-site during construction are listed in tables throughout the following sections.

3.1.2.1 Glycol Table 3.1-3: Ethylene Glycol Storage, Potential Impacts and Proper Handling Procedures

Material TDG Class

Potential Impact Product Handling

Protective Equipment

Eyes Skin Garments

Ethylene Glycol 3 Negligible

Ensure adequate ventilation. Wear protective gloves and chemical safety goggles. Keep in tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Separate from acids and oxidizing materials. Empty containers of this product retain product residues and may be hazardous.

Chemical goggles

Neoprene, nitrile gloves, protective garments


Ethylene glycol is used as a coolant and antifreeze in mobile/stationary equipment. Waste glycol is stored in clearly labelled, tightly sealed drums, and placed in a secondary containment structure (such as a tray or lined area) within a designated area of the MSF.

Glycol has a sweet odour and taste that can attract and harm wildlife. Glycol spill clean-up procedures are outlined in the Spill Contingency Plan and discuss the immediate clean-up to prevent harm to wildlife.




Additionally, the MSF and all waste storage/containment areas are enclosed or fenced, capable of deterring wildlife. Waste glycol will be backhauled to a registered hazardous waste disposal facility.

3.1.2.2 Solvents Table 3.1-4: Varsol Solvent Storage, Potential Impacts, and Proper Handling Procedures

Material TDG Class

Potential Impact Product Handling

Protective Equipment

Eyes Skin Garments

Varsol 3

Snow, ice, water, vegetation, soil

Avoid eye contact. Use with adequate ventilation. Wash thoroughly after handling. Empty container retains residue. Follow label instructions. Avoid repeated skin contact. Store in cool, ventilated area, away from ignition sources and incompatibles. Keep container tightly closed.

Chemical goggles

Rubber gloves, protective garments


Solvents are used as degreasing agents in maintenance shops, in other service buildings and in small quantities around the site on mobile equipment. Where possible, Fortune will use non-toxic, citrus-based alternatives as substitutes as well as detergent and steam jets to minimize the use of toxic, petroleum-based solvents. Where non-toxic substitutes are not suitable, the use of petroleum-based solvents will be controlled to prevent harm to the user and release to the environment.

Excess of waste solvents will be packaged in clearly labelled, in original, tightly sealed, sound containers or manufactured containers designed for solvent transport and stored in the HWTA until backhauled to a registered hazardous waste disposal facility.

3.1.2.3 Waste Batteries Fortune reduces or eliminates the generation of waste batteries through:

maintaining and protecting batteries to prevent damage and charge loss,

testing batteries prior to disposal to confirm the battery is spent,

replacing non-rechargeable batteries with rechargeable batteries where possible, and

servicing batteries to extend life.

All batteries will eventually deteriorate and reach the end of their useful life. Where applicable, waste batteries must be properly handled and disposed of to minimize, if not eliminate, spillage of corrosive materials and release of metals.

Dry cell batteries are used in equipment such as hand-held radios and flashlights. General dry cell batteries include, but are not limited to, AAA to D cells, 6 or 9 volt consumer batteries, and button batteries. Specific containers are set up in offices and common rooms on site to collect dry cell batteries. These batteries will be further stored in the HWTA and shipped off-site to a recycling facility.




Waste lead acid batteries and rechargeable batteries should be deposited, sealed and temporarily stored in a 16 gauge (or lower) metal container or 205 L plastic drum in a designated area of the HWTA. Temporary storage of waste batteries is only acceptable as an interim measure for battery quantities totalling less than 1,000 kilograms (kg), and then only for periods less than 180 days, unless in a registered hazardous waste disposal facility.

3.1.2.4 Aerosol Cans Fortune discourages the use of aerosol cans on site due to high energy costs associated with transport and because they are not suitable for any of the three types of recovery. Wherever possible, aerosol cans will be substituted with refillable type pump or spray bottles.

Waste aerosol cans are collected in specific containers places around the site and in the accommodation complex. The cans may be stored in the HWTA for shipment to an off-site disposal facility; however, Fortune is investigating the feasibility of puncturing and draining the cans to allow on-site disposal.

3.1.2.5 Paints Fortune will reduce the quantity of waste paint generated by:

purchasing the correct paint volume for the job;

training staff in proper paint techniques to for efficient paint use;

using water-based paints instead of oil-based paints and specialty coatings, whenever possible;

using excess paint for touch-ups or as primer on future jobs; and

specifying durable coatings such as powder coatings when purchasing products to reduce on-site painting.

Excess and waste paint will be packaged in clearly labelled, original, tightly sealed, sound containers, or 16 gauge (or lower) or plastic drums. Containers should be labelled in accordance with WHMIS and TDG.

Unopened paint containers and waste paints should be stored in a designated area of the HWTA for return to the supplier or backhaul to a paint recycler, registered hazardous waste disposal facility.

3.1.2.6 Fluorescent Lamp Tubes Fortune will reduce the generation of fluorescent lamp tube waste through efficient lighting use and installation of motion sensors. Energy minimization and conservation will be presented in forms of training to personnel at the NICO Project to reduce the power usage of lights.

Flourescent lamp tubes will be packaged in their original shipping box (or equivalent), stored in a watertight enclosure at the HWTA for shipment to a registered hazardous waste disposal facility.

Flourescent lamp tubes are considered hazardous waste if broken and should be handled accordingly.

3.1.2.7 Waste Chemical Containers Many chemical containers are not safe to dispose of directly and must be recycled, or require handling precautions identical to full containers. This information is supplemental to training given to chemical handlers




through WHMIS. Chemical users must be familiar with safe handling and storage procedures provided by manufacturers in MSDSs.

3.1.3 Laboratory Chemical Wastes Any laboratory wastes that cannot be safely incinerated or placed in the CDF should be stored in appropriate containers at the HWTA and backhauled to a registered laboratory chemical waste disposal facility. Laboratory waste disposal information is supplemental to training given to chemical waste handlers through WHMIS. Chemical users must be familiar with safe handling and storage procedures provided by manufacturers in MSDS.

3.1.4 Explosives 3.1.4.1 Explosives Management Explosives will be used for blasting of the underground and open pit mine developments. Explosives will also be used during the construction phase of the NICO Project to level areas for surface operations and for construction of the site facilities (e.g., roads, building pads, co-disposal facility dams, etc.).

Table 3.1-5 summarizes explosive materials and their storage, potential impacts and proper handling procedures.

Explosives management for the NICO Project will focus on two important objectives: safety and environmental stewardship.

Only trained and qualified personnel will handle explosives. This activity will be conducted under an explosives plant licence from the Explosives Division of Natural Resources Canada under the Canadian Explosives Act. Some specialty packaged explosives will be used for specific blasting needs such as controlled wall blasting and wet conditions, as required. All explosives and detonators will be transported, stored, and used on-site in an approved manner by trained and licensed personnel.

All explosives mixing, storage, and product delivery systems will be approved and subject to regulatory inspection administered by Natural Resources Canada, Explosives Division.




Table 3.1-5: Explosives Storage, Potential Impacts, and Proper Handling Procedures

Material TDG Class

Potential Impact Product Handling Protective Equipment

Ammonium Nitrate 5.1 Water

Avoid eye and skin contact; avoid breathing dust. Do not swallow. Separate from all organic materials or other possible incompatible substances. Store in well-ventilated location, away from all sources of heat, fire, explosion.

Safety glasses or goggles

Non-absorbent rubber or equivalent gloves, protective garments

NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator, if required

Emulsion 1.5 Water

Avoid eye and skin contact; avoid inhalation. Do not swallow. Separate from all organic materials or other possible incompatible substances. Store in well-ventilated location, away from all sources of heat, fire, or explosion.

Safety Goggles



High Explosive Detonators

1 Negligible

Store under dry conditions in a well-ventilated magazine. Keep away from heat, sparks, and flames. Keep containers closed.

Safety goggles



Blasting Caps 1 Negligible

Store under dry conditions in a well-ventilated magazine. Keep away from heat, sparks, and flames. Keep containers closed.

Safety glasses or goggles

Rubber gloves, protective cotton garments

NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator

TDG Class (Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, RSNWT 1990)

Fortune will arrange for formal training and on-the-job training to comply with legislation. Training requirements will include (but will not necessarily be limited to):

specific fire procedures as per the federal Explosives Act;

first aid;

TDG; and

pump and hydraulics training.

Blasting personnel will be required to have a valid Blasting Certificate or Provisional Blasting Certificate that is issued in accordance with the Mine Health and Safety Act and Regulations.




Fortune will develop explosives storage and handling procedures that will detail frequencies of inspections and documentation procedures.

3.1.4.2 Environmental Management Ammonium Nitrate Ammonium nitrate is a stable, inorganic, solid compound. It is completely soluble in water and, due to its hygroscopic nature it must be kept dry to remain effective for its intended purpose by storage in silos or sheds. For blasting purposes, ammonium nitrate is in the form of porous prills to mix with and absorb diesel fuel oil to produce ammonium nitrate fuel oil. The prills are generally white or off-white, and shelf life in a tightly closed container is unlimited. The internal structure of the prills is temperature sensitive and changes below -18°C and above 32°C.

Hazardous and non-hazardous explosives blasting waste will be generated at the NICO Project. All blasting waste will be handled only by trained personnel. Excess ammonium nitrate, Emulsion and other refuse will be stored in a designated area within the explosives magazines and disposed of according to the supplier’s directions and supervision.

High Explosives and Blasting Caps The high explosives magazines will be designed to meet standards outlined in Storage Standards for Industrial Explosives (NRCan 2001). Where required, the magazines will be separated by berms that meet conditions of safe storage. Features of the magazines include the following:

steel exterior shell;

inside each magazine all walls and floors are covered with 20 millimetre plywood fastened with countersunk non-sparking fasteners;

interiors are marked with stacking limit lines; and

access is by a laminated door with high security locking hardware

The magazines will be dedicated to storing high energy explosives and blasting caps. Caps and high explosives will be stored in separate magazines as required by the regulations. Labelling will clearly identify the explosives stored in the magazines. Inventory will be used on a first-in, first-out basis, to prevent degradation due to storage time and cold weather. Construction will use a combination of high explosives and ammonium nitrate fuel oil.

Handling and Storage High explosives will be handled and managed by qualified personnel trained in safe handling procedures and in accordance with applicable legislation and regulations. All personnel exposed to it will wear suitable personal protective equipment.

Disposal Explosives identified as deteriorated or damaged will be destroyed. Fortune will develop procedures for the destruction of such material prior to the start of mining in consultation with, and under the direction of, the explosive supplier. Only qualified personnel holding valid blasting certificates will handle these materials. Typically, such explosives are either burned or detonated under controlled conditions. The destruction-site will




be dependent on the mining stage and will be chosen by the blasting supervisor in consultation with the mine manager. Normal safety precautions for blasting operations will apply.

3.1.5 Hazardous Biological Waste To reduce the transmission of communicable diseases, small amounts of hazardous biological waste and other medical materials, such as needles, syringes, scalpels, and blood and tissue contaminated items are properly contained, labelled as “BioHazard”, and stored in a secure area of the first aid centre within camp. Hazardous biological waste should remain under the direct supervision of medical staff until backhauled for disposal at a registered hazardous biological waste disposal facility. Biological waste should not be incinerated, as there is an increased risk of injury to the incinerator operator from needles or other sharp objects.

3.2 Mineral Waste 3.2.1 Mine Rock and Tailings Mine rock will be generated throughout the life of the NICO Project as rock is excavated from the above and below ground mine areas.

Handling, storage, and transportation procedures for mineral waste at the NICO Project are described in the Mine Rock Management Plan and Co-Disposal Facility Management Plan.

3.3 Non-Mineral Waste The following solid waste materials are expected during the construction phase of the NICO Project.

3.3.1 Conveyor Belts and Tires Rubber materials such as conveyor belts and tires will be recycled where possible at the NICO Project in the construction of berms and other infrastructure. When there is an excess or these materials cannot be recycled they will be disposed of in the CDF.

3.3.2 Vehicles Vehicles and equipment that are no longer useable at the NICO Project, will be stored in a designated area of the laydown area while awaiting to be driven or transported off site for refurbishment or recycling.

3.3.3 Plastics Waste plastic containers that originally contained non-hazardous materials, not including food products, should be disposed in the CDF. Fortune encourages the use of degradable dishes and beverage bottles in an effort to minimize plastic waste generation.

3.3.4 Scrap Metal Fortune promotes restocking and reusing scrap metal pieces for other projects where possible. The economic feasibility of recycling or resale of scrap metal will be investigated. If scrap metal is to be recycled, it will be stored in a designated part of the laydown area. Alternatively, waste metal will be disposed of in the CDF.

3.3.5 Sandblasting Residues Sandblasting residue will be collected in steel drums and may be disposed of in the CDF of shipped off site for disposal depending on the type of blasting media used. Silica-sand-based media will be disposed in the CDF.




Fortune will cover sandblasting residue with intermittent fill as soon as practicable to reduce wind redistribution of sandblast waste.

Blasting media derived from metal slags or the like that have potential to form leachate will be shipped to a registered disposal facility. Fortune will purchase and use the less harmful alternatives for blasting materials when practical.

3.3.6 Electronic and Electrical Equipment Electronic and electrical equipment that may contain polluting substances, such as heavy metals will not be disposed of on site. All electronics waste is to be collected and stored in watertight containers and placed in dry storage within the MSF for eventual shipment to a recycling or registered disposal facility. Where practicable, inert parts, such as computer enclosures will be stripped from the devices and disposed of in the CDF. Electrical waste and devices may or may not contain polluting substances will be assessed by the Environmental Coordinator prior to disposal.

3.3.7 Cardboard, Paper and Waste Lumber All paper based materials generated at the NICO Project will primarily be minimized through active monitoring of materials packaging, using electronic devices such as email, voicemail, telephone whenever possible, as well as conducting regular inventory of these materials to ensure excess materials are not present on site. These excess materials will be recycled and stored in the MSF and sent to a registered blue bin recycling station (located in Yellowknife, NWT), or stored in plastic bins and sent to the incinerator as a last resort.

3.3.8 Food Waste and Packaging Fortune will provide regular awareness programs on the negative effects of feeding wildlife to all personnel on site. Fortune has a zero-tolerance attitude and policy towards the feeding of wildlife and anyone who is caught feeding wildlife will be removed from site. Littering, particularly of food waste, will also be prohibited. Dedicated steel bins and dumpsters for the collection of food waste and packaging are provided where people eat, including the camp kitchen and in remote offices and lunchroom trailers. Separate containers will be provided for food waste and non-food waste at all such areas to separate these at the source. All food waste containers will be clearly labelled as such.

Storage containers for food waste that are outside will be wildlife-proof. Bag lunches and kitchen food waste and packaging will be stored in plastic bags within wildlife-proof, containers and collected and incinerated daily to minimize the attraction of wildlife.

Fortune understands that minimizing the storage time of food waste also reduces the likelihood of wildlife being attracted to the site, and so food waste should be incinerated as soon as possible. Following incineration, ash from food waste is deposited in the CDF and promptly covered with intermittent fill to reduce wind redistribution.

Oil and grease collected from the kitchen is to remain stored in the kitchen until transferred to the incinerator for immediate disposal.

3.3.9 General Camp Waste General camp wastes are defined as those collected from offices, camp rooms, and leisure and recreation areas. Site personnel are oriented to sort general waste into specific containers provided for recyclables or for substances requiring additional processing prior to incineration. Fortune will provide regular awareness




programs on the effects of disposing hazardous or polluting personal waste items. An education program on the on the negative effects of feeding wildlife will also include the importance of segregating food wastes from the general camp waste stream so it can be incinerated. Food wastes that enter the general camp waste stream will likely be incinerated but could inadvertently end up in the CDF which would attract wildlife. The use of clear trash bags will allow cleaning staff to perform cursory inspections of camp waste regularly and confirm sorting. Additional audits may be performed from time to time by the Environment Department to ensure compliance with waste sorting procedures. General camp waste will be incinerated and the ash deposited in the landfill; ash will be promptly covered with intermittent fill to reduce wind redistribution.

3.3.10 Sewage Sludge Sewage sludge is the thickened biodegradable organic components removed by settling in the waste water treatment plant. Fortune will incinerate all sewage sludge appropriately and ash produced will be disposed of in the CDF.

3.3.11 Miscellaneous Waste All other wastes not described in this plan which are discovered throughout the NICO Project will be classified, characterized and handled by the Environmental Coordinator or designate in accordance with territorial and federal legislation and guidelines.




4.0 WASTE INFRASTRUCTURE All waste infrastructures have been designed to address the health and safety of personnel, wildlife, and the environment. Detailed design plans for waste infrastructure will be provided as the design of the site facilities evolves and will be included in updates to the WMP. Updates to the WMP will be circulated to the external distribution list. A list of the design plans that will be completed prior to construction can be found in Appendix A.

4.1 Materials Sorting Facility The MSF will be constructed southeast of the permanent fuel storage area. The MSF will allow for the separation and storage of waste materials generated at the NICO Project.

The MSF will be enclosed by 2 m high, slatted fencing and secure entrances/gateways to provide safety to wildlife and personnel. It will be built on a concrete pad, divided into separate areas for designated waste storage. Only trained personnel will be granted permission to work in the MSF.

Hazardous waste materials will also be temporarily stored in the MSF between collection and transportation off site to a registered hazardous waste facility. This HWTA (within the MSF) will be further segregated from other stored wastes and only qualified personnel will have access. These personnel will be trained on hazardous materials handling, storage and transportation in accordance with federal and territorial legislation and guidelines. The HWTA will be specifically designed to be well ventilated and cells for liquid or spillable wastes will have secondary containment. Toxic materials and petroleum products will be stored in sealed steel or plastic drums or larger 1000 L bulk containers. Chemicals, such as glycols, solvents, paints, are to be stored in marked steel or plastic drums.

No food-based products or wastes are to be stored in the HWTA.

A HWTA operating manager will be responsible for inspecting the integrity of the HWTA structure on a regular scheduled basis and perform maintenance on an as-need basis. The HWTA operator will also keep inventory on a daily basis of materials entering and exiting the HWTA.

General duties of personnel working in the HWTA are identified in Table 4.1-1. Daily inspection schedules are provided in Table 4.1-2 and 4.1-3.

Table 4.1-1: General duties for Hazardous Waste Transfer Area Personnel Item Inspection

HWTA Control access to the HWTA. Waste Collection Collect and transport waste storage containers from site to the HWTA. Inventory Waste Identify, inventory, and log all incoming waste, including volume or weight. Sort incoming Waste Sort and package waste for storage in segregated HWTA. Label and Prepare Waste Label and prepare waste for transport to approved disposal facilities. Housekeeping Maintain housekeeping of the HWTA




Table 4.1-2: Daily Inspection Schedule for Hazardous Waste Transfer Area Personnel Item Inspection

HWTA Inspect for evidence of unauthorized access by personnel. Storage Ensure waste collected is stored within appropriate segregated areas. Waste Packaging Ensure no leaks or damage of waste packaged within the HWTA.

Table 4.1-3: Inspection Schedule for Management Item Inspection

HWTA including Secondary Containment

Monthly by the HWTA operating manager; weekly by the environmental manager to ensure compliance.

Spill Kits Monthly by the HWTA operating manager; weekly by environmental health and safety manager

Hazardous Materials Storage Monthly by HWTA operating manager; weekly by the environmental manager

In the site orientation, all personnel will be educated on the importance of hazardous waste management and the protocols of the HWTA.

4.2 Co-Disposal Facility The CDF will be constructed for the primary disposal of mineral waste but will also function as a landfill for solid, non-hazardous wastes to eliminate the need for additional land impacts.

Conveyor belts and tires, plastics, scrap metal, sandblasting residue, and incinerator ash will be disposed of in the CDF in designated sanitary landfill cells.

Landfill type wastes disposed of in the CDF will be tracked according to volume/mass and type. The environmental coordinator and health & safety manager/coordinator will have shared responsibility for keeping records and annual reporting of landfill waste disposal.

Further information on CDF design, construction, and operations can be found in the Co-Disposal Facility Management Plan.

4.3 Incinerator Dual-chamber, diesel-fired incinerators will be used to burn combustible waste, including kitchen waste and other non-recyclable, non-hazardous, combustible waste materials (soiled paper and cardboard, oily rags, plastic films). The incinerators may also be used to burn used oil. Incinerator ash will be collected and transported to the CDF for disposal. Sewage sludge will also be incinerated.

Incinerator feed waste materials will be collected each day and processed as a mixture. The characteristics of this waste have been assumed as follows:

moisture content up to 30%;

density of 160 to 240 kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m3); and




average heat value of 9,900 to 14,300 BTU/kg.

Based on 2 to 3 kg of solid waste generated per person daily, the incinerator will need to handle up to 838 kg/day during construction and 420 kg/day of waste during operations. The proposed incinerator model can handle 340 to 500 kg per batch; therefore, during construction the incinerator will have to process more than one batch per day.

The incinerator will operate in two stages. The first stage is the general burn of the waste materials and the second stage completes the burn of the combustion gases to yield carbon dioxide and water. In the first stage, a diesel fired burner elevates the temperature of a primary combustion chamber to ignite the waste. Once the chamber reaches a temperature of 650 to 850°C, the burn process will be self-fuelling and the burner will shut off. The burner will turn on periodically, and as necessary when the temperature drops. In the second stage, combustion gases from the first stage are cleansed by further combustion at 1,000°C using a separate high output burner to maintain the required temperature. This stage is augmented by use of a blower that creates turbulence in the chamber to mix the gases and oxygenate them. The gases are not scrubbed before venting through the exhaust stack.

Incineration of the solid waste should reduce the volume by 90% and residual ash will be non-hazardous, non-leaching and essentially inert. Entrained metals and glass (which will have been separated from the incinerator feed to the extent possible prior to combustion) will remain intact after incineration and will either be recycled (if possible) or sent for disposal in the CDF.

For more details on the incineration process, see Appendix B Incineration Management Plan.

4.4 Sewage Treatment Plant, Wastewater, and Effluent Treatment Facility

The camp and infrastructure sewage will be treated in the Sewage Treatment Plant located adjacent to the mine incinerator. Sewage will be treated using rotating biologic contactors. For the construction phase, two Biodisk BJ-250 units will be used. Following the completion of construction, one of the modular units will be dismantled and sold due to decrease in personnel and subsequent sewage volumes.

Sewage sludge will be filtered from the Sewage Treatment Plant, incinerated and the ashes will be disposed of in the CDF. The remaining treated effluent, upon meeting discharge criteria (to be determined) in the Water Licence, will be discharged into Peanut Lake.

All site surface run off water from the NICO Project will be directed to water management ponds, then treated (if required) to meet the discharge criteria (to be determined) in the Water Licence, eventually discharging into Peanut Lake (refer to Water Management Plan).

For more details on the design, construction, and operation of wastewater infrastructure; see the Water Management Plan.

4.5 Landfarm Landfarming is an ex-situ bioremediation treatment that uses naturally-occurring microorganisms (predominantly aerobic) to metabolize or breakdown PHC in impacted sediments or soils. Remediation is achieved by spreading impacted soils in a thin layer across the landfarm area. Stimulation of microbial growth and activity for PHC




removal is accomplished primarily through the addition of air and nutrients. End products of bioremediation are microorganism protein, carbon dioxide, and water.

PHC-impacted sediments and soils will be placed in the landfarm area, with the potential addition of waste ammonium nitrate, for soil treatment. PHC impacted snow, ice, and subsequent meltwater, along with PHC-impacted rock wash water will collect in the landfarm sump areas and treated to meet discharge criteria in the Water Licence.

An oil-water separator and discharge water polishing system will be created to handle excess runoff and remove free phase petroleum. The separated water may be used as a moisture source for the landfarm during the summer. Excess water will be directed to the process water or effluent treatment system streams, as appropriate. It will not be released directly to the environment.

Hydrocarbon spills can affect snow as well as soil. Contaminated snow will be taken to the landfarm for storage.

The Environmental Coordinator, or designate, will be responsible for conducting regular monitoring and inspection of the landfarm. Once there is a need for the landfarm, Fortune will develop a detailed Landfarm Management Plan prior to construction of the landfarm outlining operating procedures.




5.0 TRAINING Fortune will ensure that personnel working in relation to specific waste management infrastructure will be trained/qualified for each specific facility in compliance with federal and territorial legislation, as well as Fortune’s Health and Safety Procedures.

All NICO personnel will be trained on waste management procedures to enforce the principles and guidelines provided in this document and other waste management related plans & programs, with particular focus on the proper management of food waste.




6.0 HAZARDOUS WASTE TRANSFER AREA OPERATING PLAN The Fortune HWTA Operating Plan has been developed to provide operating guidelines, in compliance with federal and territorial legislation, for collecting, sorting, packaging and storing hazardous and non-hazardous waste at the HWTA for transport and off-site disposal. The HWTA is a short-term waste management area and should not be used for long-term waste storage.

The primary objective of the plan is to provide Fortune and their designated contractors with operational guidelines to minimize physical and biological impacts at the NICO Project through:

appropriate inventory control, storage, handling and transport procedures of hazardous waste within the HWTA; and

transportation prioritization of hazardous waste to a registered hazardous waste disposal facility.

The entire MSF (including the HWTA) will be secured at all times to prevent wildlife access and to prevent improper handling and placement of hazardous wastes by unqualified personnel.

6.1 Safety Procedures In addition to adherence to the NICO Project Health and Safety Plan, personnel in charge of operating the HWTA must have valid Transportation of Dangerous Goods training. They must be trained in the procedures associated with waste management, including the use of safety equipment (first aid supplies, eyewash station, fire extinguisher, spill response materials, etc.), emergency response procedures, safe waste storage and handling procedures, safe solid and liquid waste sampling and characterization procedures, and record-keeping. It is recommended that activities involving hazardous waste be conducted under the supervision of site personnel having a 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) or Canadian Hazardous Waste Workers Program certificate.

Prior to handling wastes, personnel will be provided with a clear explanation as to the nature of the contamination at the facility and the site-specific personal protective equipment required to complete the assigned tasks. If the nature or degree of contamination is such that respiratory equipment is required, personnel must be provided with task-appropriate respiratory protection and properly fit-tested prior to starting work at both the HWTA and landfarm locations. The selection of PPE is the joint responsibility of the site health, safety & environment manager and the mine manager.

Personnel will also be trained in how to decontaminate equipment and personal protective equipment. Washing hands prior to eating, smoking etc., and showering at the end of the work day is mandatory after handling any type of waste.

Personnel are encouraged to watch for and immediately report any unsafe conditions or damages to the HWTA, especially tears in secondary containment structures and leaking storage containers.

Annually, NICO emergency response team staff will carry out spill response drills at the HWTA. Results of emergency response drills are recorded and forwarded to the mine and plant managers, and the Health and Safety Committee. Drill results may indicate additional, or refresher, training is required. Safety Committee recommendations will be enacted.




7.0 MONITORING, REPORTING, AND REVIEW As part of Fortune’s due diligence program, an internal monitoring and reporting process is to be put in place at the NICO Project. The program actively promotes the interrelationship between HWTA personnel and management so that information, resources and finances can be directed effectively.

Records of daily waste inventory and inspection should be filed in the Environmental Department office. Weekly inspections of the food waste stream and the general camp waste stream will be completed to confirm that food wastes are collected and incinerated appropriately. Fortune understands that proper handling and disposal of food wastes will reduce help to reduce wildlife being attracted to the mine site.

Any accidental damage to containment structures and/or waste packaging will be inspected immediately and appropriate repairs undertaken. The extent of damage will be reported in writing to the Environmental Manager, or designate, along with remedial repairs affected together with the date of repairs and any follow up inspection.

Hazardous waste manifests for tracking the hazardous waste will be ordered from the ENR Division from the GNWT. The NICO Project’s Hazardous Waste Registration number #000384 will be used. Copies of the manifests will be kept on site for mine inspections, and will be included in the annual report. A site specific standard operating procedure for hazardous waste handling, storage, and shipment will also be developed prior to construction.

The WMP will be updated as required due to changes in waste management facilities or procedures described in the WMP. Or as required in future licences or permits for the NICO Project.




8.0 CONTINGENCIES Contingencies refer to actions taken to manage unforeseen circumstances or non-compliance issues. Each waste infrastructure identified in Section 4.0 will have Standard Operating Procedures surrounding specific waste management for the handling, storage and transportation of waste and raw hazardous materials. Included in these standard operating procedures will be inspection and monitoring schedules/sign-off sheets for the manager of that area to conduct on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. The SHE Manager will also conduct weekly and monthly review of these inspection/sign-off sheets to ensure completeness and effectiveness of the standard operating procedures in place for that waste management area.




9.0 REFERENCES CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment). 2001. Canada-Wide Standards for Dioxins and

Furans.

CCME. 2003. Environmental Code of Practice for Aboveground Storage Tank Systems Containing Petroleum Products. https://www.ec.gc.ca/lcpe-cepa/default.asp?lang=En&n=61B26EE8-1

Federal-Provincial-Territorial Subcommittee on Drinking Water and the Water Quality Task Group of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). 2002. From Source to Tap – The Multi-Barrier Approach to Safe Drinking Water. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/tap-source-robinet/index_e.html

Fortune (Fortune Minerals Limited). 2011. Developer’s Assessment Report. Fortune Minerals Ltd. NICO Project. EA 0809-004. Submitted to the Mackenzie Valley Review Board.

GNWT (Government of the Northwest Territories). 1995. Guideline for the Management of Biomedical Waste.

GNWT. 1998. Guideline for General Management of Hazardous Waste.

GNWT. 1998. Guideline for Waste Lead and Lead Paint.

GNWT. 1998. Guidelines for Waste Solvents.

GNWT. 1998. Guideline for Waste Antifreeze.

GNWT. 1998. Guideline for the Management of Waste Paint.

GNWT. 1998. Guideline for the Management of Waste Batteries.

GNWT. 2003. Guidelines for Contaminated Site Remediation.

GNWT. 2004. Guideline for the Management of Waste Asbestos.

GNWT. 2004. Guideline for Industrial Waste Discharges.

MLVWB. 2011. Guidelines for Developing a Waste Management Plan.

Natural Resources Canada. R.S.C., 1985, c. E-17. Explosives Act.

Natural Resource Council of Canada. 2010. National Fire Code of Canada.

Natural Resources Canada, Minerals and Metals Sector. Ottawa. 2001. Storage Standards for Industrial Explosives.

RSNWT. 1988, c. E-10. Explosives Use Act.

RRNWT. 1990, c. E-27. Explosives Use Regulations.

SNWT. 1994, c. 25. Mine Health & Safety Act and Regulations.

RSNWT. 1988, c. F-6. Fire Prevention Act and Regulations.




RRNWT. 1990, c. S-2 (Safety Act). Work Site Hazardous Materials Information System Regulations.

RSNWT. 1990, c. 81 (Supp). Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations.

Transportation Canada. 1992. Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations (S.C. 1992, c. 34).



October 2013 Report No. 12-1373-0057

APPENDIX A Waste Infrastructure Engineering Design Reports

Materials Sorting Facility, including Hazardous Waste Transfer Area

Co-disposal Facility

Sewage Treatment Plant

Effluent Treatment Plant

Landfarm



October 2013 Report No. 12-1373-0057

APPENDIX B Incinerator Management Plan



October 2013 B-1 Report No. 12-1373-0057

B.1 INCINERATOR MANAGEMENT PLAN B.1.1 Introduction Fortune Minerals Limited (Fortune) proposes to develop and operate the proposed NICO Project as an open pit metal mine. The NICO Project is located in the Northwest Territories, approximately 160 kilometres (km) northwest of Yellowknife.

The Incinerator Management Plan (IMP) has been prepared to address the management of the incinerator at the NICO Project. The incinerator is intended to use thermal treatment to reduce the volume of domestic waste associated with the operation of the NICO Project operations. The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the activities involved in the operation of the incinerator at the NICO Project. This includes the operation of the incinerator and collection of data that will be used in the annual air quality monitoring report. The plan has been developed in consideration of the Environment Canada Technical Document on Batch Waste Incineration (EC 2009), and consistent with incineration management plans being produced for other developments in the north. This is a living document subject to ongoing review and revision.

B.1.2 Legislation, Regulatory, and Policy Requirements The goal of the IMP is to comply with the applicable legislation and related corporate environmental policies and commitments that apply to the NICO Project. In addition to the ambient air quality criteria for common combustion compounds (i.e., sulphur dioxide [SO2], nitrous oxides [NOX], and suspended particulates), there also exist Canada-Wide Standards for other combustion by-products, such as dioxins, furans, and mercury that may be released during on-site waste incineration. Documents that pertain to the incinerator include the Canada–Wide Standards for Dioxins and Furans (CCME 2001), the Canada-Wide Standards for Mercury Emissions (CCME 2000) and the Technical Document for Batch Waste Incineration (Environment Canada 2009).

A summary of the Canada-Wide Standards for dioxins, furans, and mercury is presented in Table B1-1 and these apply to waste incineration at new facilities such as the NICO Project. Compliance with the Canada-Wide Standards requires that the best economically achievable and available control techniques and equipment be used. This will include modern incineration equipment and an intentional waste management program.

Table B1-1: Canada-Wide Standards for Waste Incineration Emissions Municipal Waste Incineration Compound Emission Limit

Dioxins and Furansa 80 picograms of International Toxic Equivalents (I-TEQ) per cubic metre (pg/m3) Mercuryb 20 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3)

a CCME (2001). b CCME (2000).

B.1.3 Objectives This IMP has been developed to address the following objectives with specific relevance to emissions as they apply to the use of a waste incinerator:

demonstrate compliance with applicable Federal and Territorial ambient air quality standards;




track trends in ambient air quality and emissions;

outline operational practices for the incinerator;

reduce the amount of waste incinerated;

document fuel use as it relates to air quality management;

document frequency and operating parameters of the incinerator including the quantity and type of waste incinerated; and

outline reporting requirements.

By calculating and reporting annual incinerator combustion emissions, Fortune can determine whether operational emissions are at, or below, these standards, and track changes in the use of the incinerator.

B.1.4 Strategies and Procedures for Waste Incineration B.1.4.1 Mitigation and Waste Reduction An initial waste audit will be conducted at the NICO Project to identify areas where the volume of waste that is generally incinerated can be reduced. When it is appropriate, materials will be reused and/or recycled to minimize the amount of waste sent to the incinerator. Sewage sludge will be incinerated. Fortune will incorporate mitigation that will be integrated into the operations phase of the NICO Project to minimize dioxins, furans, and mercury emissions. These will include, but are not limited to, the following:

selection of highly-efficient combustion equipment;

operation of the incinerator at optimal conditions (e.g., manufacturer recommended temperature, pressure);

waste segregation policies;

worker education;

waste diversion methods to minimize dioxins, furans, and mercury emissions from the incinerator;

on-site recycling programs; and

development of management plans to guide actions and documentation needs around air quality.

Implementation of these policies and practices demonstrates Fortune’s ongoing commitment to reducing emissions through the use of the best available, economically feasible, technology and systems.

B.1.4.2 Equipment and Installation Fortune will select an incinerator that is capable of reducing camp wastes satisfactorily while producing emissions that are compliant with the Canadian standards for batch waste incineration. Air will be provided in sufficient supply and the incinerator will be operated so that low-temperature operating problems do not occur. In addition, combustible materials will be located away from the incinerator.

The incinerator will be a dual-chamber controlled air incinerator with a two-second retention time in the secondary chamber at a temperature of at least 1,000 degree Celsius (ºC). When proper operating procedures are followed, the incinerator will be capable of meeting the Canada-wide Standards for dioxins/furans (CCME




2001) and mercury (CCME 2000). Stack testing will be carried out as required to demonstrate that the regulatory limits are being met.

A scale will be used to measure the weight of all material that will be placed in the incinerator. Weights and waste types will be recorded and mixed appropriately to maximize combustion efficiency. The incinerator will also be equipped with an internal computerized process control and data acquisition system to monitor the operating parameters of the incinerator.

B.1.4.3 Training Operators will be trained in the following areas before they can operate the incinerator:

hazard recognition;

waste types and how waste composition affects operation;

load limitations;

normal incinerator start-up and operating procedures;

normal operating parameters and adjustment procedures to maximize incinerator performance;

clean-out procedures;

troubleshooting procedures;

maintenance schedule; and

record keeping and reporting.

B.1.4.4 Operation Wastes will be separated according to their heating values. Heating value refers to the amount of energy that will be released as the waste is combusted. To facilitate this separation, all wastes will be collected in bags that indicate the bag’s contents. Waste bags will be selected and mixed to achieve the manufacturer’s specified input calorific value. Verification of correct mixing procedures will be assured through spot checks by appropriate, trained personnel from the NICO Project’s management team.

As per Environment Canada (2009), the typical operation of the incinerator is expected to be as follows:

The incinerator will be loaded and the burn cycle started.

The start cycle will be observed for at least 15 minutes after ignition of the primary chamber burner to verify the primary and secondary chambers operate in the temperature range specified by the manufacturer.

When the run is completed and the unit has cooled, the ash will be removed from the incinerator before reloading the incinerator for the next burn cycle.

Any unburned materials found in the ash will be added back into the incinerator after the air ports are cleaned.




B.1.4.5 Handling and Disposal of Incinerator Residues Protective equipment will be used when handling the ash from the incinerator. The ash will be removed from the incinerator and placed in covered metal containers for transport to the disposal site. The ash will be weighed and recorded prior to disposal.

B.1.5 Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures Quality Assurance (QA) refers to plans or programs that encompass a wide range of internal and external management and technical practices designed to verify that the collection of data of known quality matches the intended use of the data. Quality Control (QC) is a specific aspect of QA that refers to the internal techniques used to measure and assess data quality (American Public Health Association et al. 1989). Since QC procedures implemented as part of the IMP are variable and program-specific, the procedures have been summarized in this section on a program-component basis.

QA/QC procedures for incineration include the following:

an accredited laboratory will be used for analysis of sampled emissions during monitoring;

samples will be collected consistent with detailed written operating instructions from qualified personnel;

qualified personnel will calculate emission concentrations for monitored air quality parameters based on laboratory results; and

incinerator operational data including temperature, differential pressure in the primary chamber, auxiliary burner operation, fan amperage and interlocks status during start-up, operation and cool-down for every cycle at one-minute resolution will be recorded continuously at a one-minute frequency consistent with detailed written operating instructions from qualified personnel.

B.1.6 Emission Estimate Methods This section describes three methods that can be used to estimate emissions (depending on the compounds). The methods are:

1) using a mass balance approach;

2) using an emission factor approach (published or calculated); or

3) using available intermittent source stack testing data.

The mass balance approach is based on the law of conservation of mass in a system. Essentially, if there is no accumulation within the system, all the materials that go into the system must come out. Fuel analysis data is a good example of the mass balance approach in predicting emissions. For example, if the sulphur content of a fuel is known, then the emissions of sulphur (in the form of SO2) can be calculated by assuming that all of the sulphur in the gas is emitted from the system.

The second approach proposed for estimating emissions is the use of emission factors. Emission factors are available for many emission source categories and are based on the results of source tests performed at one or more facilities within an industry. An emission factor is the contaminant emission rate relative to the level of




source activity. Generic emission factors are commonly used when site-specific source monitoring data are unavailable.

The use of source-specific stack testing data is appropriate for emission sources or compounds that may be difficult to characterize using either mass balance or emission factors. A stack test measures the amounts of specific compounds present in the stack exhaust gas.

B.1.6.1 Dioxins, Furans, and Mercury Calculation Methods The emissions of dioxins, furans, and mercury in the NICO Project incinerator will be highly dependent on the quantities and types of waste that will be burned. For this reason, emission estimates based on mass balance or emission factors are difficult to calculate. The proposed approach for estimating emissions from the incinerator is to use intermittent stack sampling.

B.1.6.2 Fuel Use and Waste Summary Fuel use for the NICO Project combustion sources will be documented monthly and presented in the annual air quality monitoring report. In addition to fuel use at the site, the amount of waste burned in the incinerator will be provided in the annual report. A summary table for tracking waste tonnage and liquid fuel use in the incinerator is presented as Table B1-2.

Table B1-2: Summary Table for Tracking Monthly Waste Tonnage Burned (tonnes) and Liquid Fuel Usage (cubic metres [m³])

Month Waste Tonnage Burned Liquid Fuel Usage Total 201* Total

January February March April May June July August September October November December Total

B.1.7 Reporting and Record Keeping A maintenance log is required to be kept for regulatory review. The maintenance log should record routine maintenance activities, date completed, and by whom, any problems encountered, and any other relevant information. Any upsets or equipment failures should also be recorded. The maintenance log should also include a description of any maintenance or operational changes, the date the work was completed, and who performed




the work. As part of the maintenance, operators/maintenance personnel should determine the cause of any failure to help avoid or reduce similar failures.

Operational data will be collected by a data logger and stored, at a minimum, every minute, even when the incinerator is not operating. The data is used to monitor operating conditions to verify that normal operating parameters are not exceeded. In the event that normal operating conditions are not met, the data will be used to identify causes of failure and to optimize the system.

Prior to incineration, the type of waste in each bag will be determined, weighed and the source noted. The total weight of each type of waste will be recorded before the burn cycle is started. After the cool-down period, the ash will be removed and weighed before it is sent for disposal. This information will be stored electronically with the operational data from the incinerator. This data will also assist Fortune in determining incinerator waste generation rates at the facility, and in turn, provide data on the effectiveness of waste diversion, reduction, and recycling programs.

Fortune will be required to submit an annual air quality monitoring report. To facilitate the reporting requirements for the incinerator, the incinerator reporting will be included as a component of this report. The following information will be included in the annual air quality report:

a summary of waste incinerated, including the monthly quantity and type of waste;

a summary of operational data that is continuously recorded all year regardless of the operational status of the incinerator. Important operational data includes temperature, carbon monoxide and oxygen levels, differential pressures, and auxiliary burner operating times;

a summary of ash disposal, including weights, where the ash was disposed, and the name of the operator for any particular load along with notes on observations or problems experienced with the load;

a record of any use of auxiliary fuel, (the fuel log book and the receipts for fuel shipments should be kept for verification by regulators);

a record of staff that have been trained for use of the incinerator, including the specific training that was provided, when the training was conducted, and who conducted the training;

any major changes to the operation of the incinerator; and

the results of any testing undertaken on the stack emissions or ash.

All raw data records from the operation of the incinerator will be retained for at least two years in electronic format.

B.1.8 Incinerator Management Plan Review The IMP will be reviewed annually and updated as agreed upon with the Board.




B.1.9 References American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Pollution Control

Federation (APHA). 1989. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (17th Edition). Edited by L.S. Clesceri, A.E. Greenberg, R.R. Trussell.

CCME (Canadian Council of the Ministers of the Environment. 2000. Canada-Wide Standards for Mercury Emissions. June 2000.

CCME. 2001. Canada-Wide Standards for Dioxins and Furans. Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

EC (Environment Canada). 2009. Technical Document for Batch Waste Incineration. Waste Reduction and Management Division. March 2009.

B.1.10 Acronyms & Definitions CCME Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment

IMP Incinerator Monitoring and Management Plan

NOX oxides of nitrogen

QA quality assurance

QC quality control

B.1.11 Units °C degrees Celsius

I-TEQ International Toxic Equivalents

Km kilometre

m3 cubic metres

pg/m3 picograms per cubic metres

μg/m3 micrograms per cubic metres


http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/d_and_f_standard_e.pdf