Oil Sands Mining Development and Reclamation

Indicator Type: Pressure Indicator

This indicator shows the extent of the active area (including forest clearing, site preparation, mining, plant sites, tailing ponds, roads, etc.) and the progress in reclaiming Athabasca oil sands mines near Fort McMurray from 1987 to the end of 2006. Reclaimed area includes lands that are currently undergoing reclamation.

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Trend: The area being reclaimed is increasing slowly as lands become available for reclamation. Large increases in active area reflect the development of new mines or new mining and processing areas within an existing mine.

What does the indicator show?

The indicator shows that an area of almost 42,000 hectares is currently active for oil sands mining and almost 6,500 hectares of land area was undergoing reclamation by the end of 2006. The bulk of the reclamation work has been done by the two senior operations in the region, Suncor Energy Inc. and Syncrude Canada Ltd.

Operators can apply for a reclamation certificate once they are satisfied that the reclaimed land will meet the determined reclamation certification criteria for that landform. Reclamation certificates have not been issued for any lands in the area to date. However, one application for a certificate has been received and is under review.

The current status of approved developments, current active area, area being reclaimed and certified sites is shown here.

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Why is this indicator important?

Oil sands mining development in northeastern Alberta has increased rapidly during the last decade in response to technological improvements, changes in royalty and tax structure, and higher oil prices. Development will continue to have major impacts on regional landscapes for a long period of time. This indicator provides a tool for identifying the progress made in land reclamation following mining.

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What actions are being taken?

Extensive research is underway on reclaiming oil sands areas. This includes dealing with overburden, tailings, end pit lakes and other features related to oil sands mining. These projects have identified a number of challenges facing successful reclamation that are being addressed through cooperative efforts in research (e.g., Canadian Oil Sands Network for Research and Development - CONRAD) and the Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA). CEMA's Reclamation Working Group has a mandate to provide recommendations to government to ensure that reclaimed landscapes within the region meet regulatory requirements, satisfy the needs and values of stakeholders, and are environmentally sustainable. Existing and new conservation and reclamation techniques are being applied to reclamation areas as research continues.

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Links to additional information

Land reclamation (Alberta Environment)

Alberta's Oil Sands (Alberta Energy)

Oil Sands Discovery Centre

CEMA Reclamation Working Group

Canadian Oil Sands Network for Research and Development (CONRAD)

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Feedback

E-mail the SOE Coordinator: SOE.Coordinator@gov.ab.ca or complete this short on-line questionnaire to provide your feedback: http://www.zoomerang.com/
survey.zgi?p=WEB224DW6P3E2K.

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