Lunch and Learn Event: New Ammonia Discharge Regulation for Metal and Diamond Mines
Mining in Canada is a foundational industry and contributes billions to our economy through taxes and spending. Mining is subject to strict environmental regulations and is gaining global recognition for ethical mining. On June 1st, 2021, amendments to the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER) under the title of Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations (MDMER) came into force. Of particular significance is the ammonia discharge limit.
Several activities in a mining operation introduce ammonia to the wastewaters. Two major sources are the cyanidation of gold ore and the use of ammonium nitrate-based explosives. Untreated ammonia in mine-contacted water is harmful to aquatic life if discharged to the environment. To limit the risks of the negative effects of mines on fish and fish habitat, the discharge of unionized ammonia from mines is now required to comply with a monthly mean concentration limit of 0.5 mg-N/L as per the latest criteria under MDMER.
To treat elevated ammonia levels in mine-contacted water before discharge, existing mine water treatment systems will have to be upgraded and/or new systems designed per the new criteria for ammonia discharge. An overview of ammonia removal technologies will be provided during the presentation.
Kareena Gill, MEng, EIT (Project Engineer) – McCue Engineering Contractors. Kareena Gill has a Master’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia and is registered as an Engineer-in-Training in BC. She works as a Project Engineer at McCue Engineering Contractors where she contributes to the engineering team with the process design of wastewater treatment plants, project management, and bench scale testing for various projects. McCue Engineering Contractors is an award-winning engineering and construction company which specializes in mine water treatment and is a proud supplier to the Canadian mining industry.
Zoom meeting link will be provided 24 hours in advance of event.
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