Jackpine Mine Detailed Design of External Tailings Facility
| Client: | Shell Canada Ltd. / Albian Sands Energy Inc. |
| Location: | Fort McMurray, Alberta |
| Completion Date: | 2005 - 2007 |
| Project Highlights: | Feasibility level design, detailed design, and regulatory approval of external tailings facility. Construction supervision |
KCB completed feasibility level and detailed designs for the Jackpine Mine Expansion 1 External Tailings Facility (ETF) for Shell Canada Ltd. and Albian Sands Energy Inc. The Jackpine Mine is an expansion to the existing Muskeg River Mine.
The ETF is up to 67 m in height, occupies an area of approximately 15 km2, and is situated on a buried meltwater channel system. The design considered dyke stability and seepage issues resulting from the complex foundation conditions. Surface water management included design of a temporary sedimentation pond, and the closed-circuit perimeter collection system, which consists of a perimeter ditch and collection pond.
The detailed design report was submitted for regulatory approval in 2007 to allow construction of the ETF to begin in 2008.
KCB also provided engineering construction supervision to support construction of a small pond within the footprint of the starter dyke and will provide engineering construction supervision to support construction of the starter dyke in 2008.
Services:
- Site investigations
- Hydrogeological modelling
- Muskeg probing
- Groundwater management system design
- Tailings dyke design
- Regulatory support
- Surface water management design
- Engineering construction support
- Borrow pit characterization for starter dyke construction
