CANADIAN REPORT
During its heyday in the first half of the 20th century, Britannia Mine on Canada’s Pacific Ocean shore was the largest-producing copper mine in the British Empire. After mining operations ceased in 1974, the property became better known for another record—as one of the biggest point-sources of metal pollution in North America.

Much of this contamination came from the 180 million cubic feet of water that flows through the mine each year. Before the recent installation of treatment systems, an average of almost 700 pounds per day of copper and a similar amount of zinc flowed into Howe Sound, a fjord-like arm of the Pacific. Mine-waste dumps containing metals added to the contamination of surface and groundwater flowing into Howe Sound.

Remediation of the Britannia Mine property required much more than water cleanup, however. An understanding of the social, economic and political issues was needed to turn this derelict mine property into a success.

As the closing of mine properties becomes an issue for mining company executives, financiers, regulators, and politicians worldwide, it is important to heed the lessons learned at Britannia.

Who Pays?
For most of the history of mining, little attention was paid to environmental effects after ore was exhausted. Only recently have mining companies been required to remediate their properties after closure.

This often involves large long-term—sometimes perpetual—capital expenditures and operating costs. While the mining company may be held responsible for remediation costs, it is not always that straightforward. For example, the last mining company to own the Britannia property closed the mine in 1974, generally in accordance with the requirements of the Province of British Columbia at the time.

However, times and laws change.

By the 1990s, the remedies proposed in the 1970s were woefully inadequate and the contamination levels in the mine discharge were significantly in violation of current legislation.

When the Province began remediation in 2001, it used the legal principle of joint and several liability recently  enacted into provincial law to determine responsibility for remediation costs. After researching the vast web of prior ownership for Britannia Mine over the previous century, the province approached the modern descendents of each company. A settlement absolved the mining companies of future environmental liability in exchange for about $30 million in U.S. funds, which would cover some of the environmental remediation and operating costs.

Britannia’s desirable location helped solve several other issues. While many mines are in remote areas, limiting their potential for residential development, the area’s geography offers features that are attractive to developers and residents. Located near the ocean, it has a spectacular view of snow-capped mountains and is just an hour’s drive north of Vancouver.

Solving the Social Issues
A good financial base and a solid social plan were important to the success of this former mining town.

For most of the last century, Britannia Beach was a company town, its residents mine employees or support-service providers. After the mine closed, the remaining community of about 100 households was bought by a property developer. The town did not thrive. The British Columbia Museum of Mining was its only anchor to the outside world and, in part, a lifeline that focused attention on the need for change.

Community spirit was low when the current developer, Macdonald Development Corp., bought the site in 2003. After meeting with residents to determine their needs and expectations, the company made improvements that included new roads, power distribution, and water and sanitary systems. They also offered residents the option to buy their properties at a reduced rate with financial assistance.  

The result has been a significant improvement in community spirit, with residents investing significant time and money to improve their properties.

Environmental Cleanup
Community issues were solved concurrently with environmental issues: mine, surface and groundwater management and treatment; contaminated soil management; mine access; and safety-related work programs.

One of the first steps was reducing the scope of the problem. Much of the water in the mine enters through one of the highest points of the property—the excavations linked to an underground area of open pits known as “Jane Basin.” Filling in the excavations was not feasible, so three surface water diversions were installed to reduce the flow of water entering the mine.

In 2001, the provincial government of British Columbia retained the environmental and geotechnical firm Golder Associates Ltd. as project manager to oversee the mine remediation project. This included the cleanup of mine waste and issues beyond mine-water.

The province chose a design-build-finance-operate contract for procuring the water treatment plant and its operation, using a public-private partnership in which the province pays a pro-rated fee when the plant’s discharge is within permitted limits. The initial contract called for the contracting company, EPCOR Water Services Ltd., to operate the facility for 20 years.

The firm chose the well-proven high density sludge (HDS) water treatment technology developed in the mid-1970s. The treatment adds lime to the mine water, which adjusts pH to precipitate dissolved metals. The water is clarified before being discharged as treated effluent into a deep outfall and diffuser system in Howe Sound. 

As one of the sustainable aspects of the operation, about half of the electrical power needed to operate the mine-water treatment facility is made by two hydroelectric generators powered by the head of water developed inside the mine reservoir.

Long-term environmental monitoring and risk assessment is underway at the mine to assess the environmental improvement and to assist in planning any additional measures that may be implemented. Future development will include additions to the BC Museum of Mining, with a new $8 million interpretive center and plans for a research center that develops and implements technologies for mine remediation work.  

Macdonald Development Corp. plans to revitalize the Britannia Beach commercial center to improve the mine as a tourist destination. The mine also covers over 9,000 acres of back country that could be used for recreation.  

Success at Britannia required a wide range of disciplines and skills, used with imagination and foresight to achieve a positive outcome for the environment and the community.  

Gerry O’Hara, professional engineer, is senior project manager/director, division manager with Golder Associates Ltd. in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada; Barry Azevedo, professional engineer, is managing engineer in the Britannia Mine Remediation Project with the Crown Contaminated Sites Branch, Crown Land Administration Division of the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.