MEKS – Their Beneficial Role in

Environmental Assessments

Peter OramConestoga-Rovers & Associates

Geology Matters 2013

Overview – Industry Perspective Who- Several providers – ask around

(Protocol!!) Where- Any site where there is to be land

disturbance What- Read the Protocol, read CEAA, read

NSE Guides When- Early as possible….but not too early Why- Top 3 Reasons1. Helps you plan a better project2. Builds value in a project3. Sends a message

Project Examples - Black Bull

Project Examples - Black Bull

Overview

Surface quartz project in SW NS First MEKS on a mining project in NS? 2 years of EBS data Large initial exploration footprint Provincial EA with some Federal involvement Known potential but little “on the ground” info Client wanted to know the “whole story” Integrated archaeology, MEKS and ecology teams

Project Examples – Black Bull

Beneficial Role in EA Process Helped diminish anxiety using facts –

locations of resources for example Showed seriousness of client to know the

whole picture Credibility with investors of conscious Leveled playing field with certain NGO

groups Community trust increased due to

transparency

Project Examples - Moose River

Project Examples - Moose River

Overview

Near 600,000 ounce gold deposit Larger footprint due to being a surface mine A “different beast” in terms of deposit models Long EBS period – close to 4 years Historical component important to client and

residents and local “communities” Integrated field teams Knew it would be a “hot and spicy one” – better

get all the data we can

Project Examples – Moose River

Beneficial Role in EA Process

Local knowledge base enhanced beyond historic mining related

All “communities” felt included Open site for visitors Used in planning for museum move Used in reclamation planning Moose Management Plan

Project Examples - Fundy Gypsum

Project Examples - Fundy Gypsum

Overview

Extension to existing surface mine Local area has over 200 years of gypsum

extraction Complex landscape – karst, 3 tidal rivers High profile Provincial EA with Federal involvement Client and gypsum industry in general likes

planning long term Contradictory “baseline”data

Project Examples – Fundy Gypsum

Beneficial Role in EA Process

Sent a message – ALL“communities” included Dispelled myths – travel routes, plant ecology Enhanced plants of importance database for

Mi’kmaq (Wisqoq in particular) Disturbance linkage for some healing plants Helped with historic land use research programs More data for long term planning Shareholder credibility

Home stretch……..

Take Away Messages Don’t do an MEKS unless you know why

you are doing one Know how they fit into the Made in Nova

Scotia Process, NS EAs, CEAA Use the data to show the whole story for a

site Document how you used the information Work on mitigation with the MEKS

provider

Thanks

Geology Matters Organizers Michael Cox Norma Prosper Don Julian Black Bull Resources DDV Gold/Atlantic Gold Fundy Gypsum (CGC Inc.)