Environment

Mining projects have been transformed by the adoption of more stringent laws and regulations aimed at enhancing and protecting the environment, as well as by growing community concerns pertaining to sustainable development. GENIVAR provides its clients with environmental services during all project stages, ranging from exploration and operation to site closures. Our multi-disciplinary team is made up of seasoned professionals and technicians with proven track records in the following areas:

• Environmental/human impact studies
• Biodiversity studies
• Noise/air quality studies
• Industrial hygiene
• Habitat offsets
• Strategic and socioeconomic planning
• Environmental testing and audits
• Emergency planning
• Environmental management systems implementation and maintenance
• Water, air and soil characterizations
• Environmental monitoring
• Permit/authorization applications
• Carbon footprint management
• Surface/groundwater management
• Waste management
• Site closures and restoration plans
• Vegetation restoration programs
• Tailings facility design

Fetured Project: Selbaie site rehabilitation, Joutel, Qc, Canada
BHP Billiton

• Manage the site/infrastructure rehabilitation on an EPCM basis (engineering, procurement and construction management).
• Meet the challenge in a northern climate.
• Carry out a voluntary environmental closure to meet the client’s health, safety, environment and community (HSEC) requirements.

''GENIVAR’s team, which included engineers, hydrogeologists and biologists, successfully met the requirements of the client (BHP Billiton), which places priority emphasis on social responsibility, health/safety and work quality. Drawing on the full range of our expertise and our strong local presence, GENIVAR demonstrated its leadership skills in the area of mining site rehabilitation.''

Yves Bouchard, Director, Industrial Mining, Abitibi-Temiscamingue & Northern Quebec.
 

GENIVAR was hired to manage all project aspects involving the closure of the Selbaie gold and silver mine. Drawing on its in-depth northern project experience, GENIVAR applied a forward-looking risk management analysis in order to anticipate challenges and to take prior corrective action. The project primarily consisted of carrying out soil rehabilitations, groundwater characterizations and risk assessments (to be able to leave some of the metal contamination in place), excavating the on-site bioremediation area (containing more than 33,000 m3 of contaminated soil), draining the water, excavating pits, restoring vegetation for the entire site and managing the acid content of contaminated soils using heavy materials/metals (zinc, copper and cadmium). We also demolished the infrastructure and designed and built the water treatment facilities.