JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – After reviewing the impact of oil sands mining operations by Canadian Natural Resources, Suncor Energy and Syncrude on the waterfowl population at the Athabasca oil sands area, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has determined companies are “in full compliance” with waterfowl protection requirements.
The investigation was initiated following the death of 196 waterfowl earlier this month, after the birds landed on toxic tailings ponds during poor weather conditions.
AER said in a statement that, at each site, waterfowl deterrent systems were in place and functioning at the time of the incident. Oil sands mining operators in the area used a variety of audio and visual means to deter waterfowl from landing on tailings ponds.
“Unfortunately, the intense weather conditions on November 4 forced the waterfowl to land on the ponds in spite of the deterrents,” said the regulator.