Faro Mine: News Archives

Metafina Site scheduled for Assessment
April 18, 2008

Beginning in late May, you may notice a flurry of activity next door to the Fire Department in the Town of Faro. This is the location of the former Metafina Chemicals plant, and the action is related to environmental assessment work that will be carried out this summer.

For those who are not familiar with the history of the site, from 1987 to 1990 Metafina Chemicals manufactured chemicals for use at the Faro Mine. These chemicals were xanthates used as flotation agents for separating minerals in the milling process. The plant was mothballed in 1990.

Shortly thereafter, there were concerns about the storage of chemicals on the site. In the early 1990s, some actions were taken to lessen any risks that might be posed by snowmelt and seasonal flooding. Due to continuing concerns, the Yukon Government ordered a cleanup in 1996 and paid for 25,000 litres of xanthates to be removed from the site.

But even after the chemicals were removed, some concerns about potential contamination of the site remained. This is due in part to information from former employees about practices at the plant, which included reports of numerous spills. In 2007, the Yukon Government, Assessment and Abandoned Mines branch, with the support of the Town of Faro, made an application to the $40 million Northern Strategy Trust to obtain the funds necessary to undertake an environmental assessment of the property. More than $49,000 was approved for work to begin in the 2008 field season.

The Metafina project consists of two phases. Phase 1: Site Assessment consists of a Level II environmental assessment of the property, which will be completed this year. Work will include sampling and laboratory testing of soils, surface water and groundwater to determine the nature, extent and amount of any residual contamination. Pending the findings of Phase 1, and dependant on funding availability, Phase 2 of the work would then consist of cleanup of any remaining contaminants. Once the site is confirmed to be clean, it can then safely be used for future development.

The Metafina Chemicals site has been highlighted as a key area of concern by the Town of Faro in ongoing consultations regarding the closure and remediation of the Faro Mine Complex. The work to be completed this summer is the first step in the final remediation of the Metafina site, and another step forward in ensuring a safer environment for everyone.

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