Montague Mines in Dartmouth is one of the contaminated sites in Nova Scotia that the province is financially liable for. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentCleanup of the contaminated Montague mines site near Dartmouth is likely to begin later this year with $33.4 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentAn environmental site assessment confirmed the soil at the mines site, which was mined for gold from 1865 to 1940, is contaminated with mercury and arsenic.Article contentArticle contentThe site is on the Montague Road in the community of Montague Gold Mines, some three kilometres north of Dartmouth and off Highway 107. Article contentArticle content“The start of remediation at the historic gold mine site in Montague mines marks a major step forward in protecting both the environment and public health,” provincial Public Works Minister Fred Tilley said Thursday. Article content“This work reflects our dedication to responsible environmental stewardship and our commitment to addressing the legacy of past industrial activity.”Article contentThat legacy is one of contamination and possible health concerns attributed to potential arsenic exposure at the Montague mines, one of 68 former mine locations identified by the province to be remediated.Article contentThe contamination at the Montague site is primarily found in an area of about 147 hectares (363 acres) where mine tailings were disposed. Article contentThe goal of the project is to return the land and wetlands to a productive habitat similar to what it was before mining activities.Article contentArticle contentThe cleanup will include excavating contaminated soil to a depth of two metres and placing the soil in impermeable containment cells that will be constructed on site.Article contentThe estimated volume of material expected to be contained within the cells is 120,000 cubic metres.Article contentA treatment system will also be required to collect and treat any leachate from the constructed containment cells. Clean backfill will replace removed soil.Article content The tailings pond of the former Montague gold mine is seen near Dartmouth on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Photo by Tim Krochak /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentA low-permeability cover will be placed on areas of the site with lower levels of contamination to keep precipitation from creating contaminated runoff. Article contentThese areas will also be covered with clean backfill.Article contentThe government of Nova Scotia is spending $18,480,000 on the project and the federal government is kicking in $15 million through the green infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
Funding announced to clean up Montague gold mines site near Dartmouth
