Government of Canada awards new contracts to advance clean-up of Faro Mine

From: Public Services and Procurement Canada

News release

August 17, 2022 - Whitehorse, Yukon - Public Services and Procurement Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

The health and safety of Canadians, environmental protection and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples are priorities for the Government of Canada.

Following 4 open and competitive processes, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, has awarded 3 new contracts and 1 standing offer for the Faro Mine Remediation Project, totalling more than $57 million.

These contracts and the standing offer will significantly advance remediation design planning; environmental and geotechnical monitoring, including the assessment of the quality and flow of water on site, meteorological monitoring and engineering inspections of earthen structures. They will also advance regulatory support for the project, including addressing the application and review process of a Water Licence and the Fisheries Act Authorization.

Together, these awards build upon efforts already taken at the Faro Mine Complex, and will create and sustain long-term northern jobs while improving the environment for First Nations and local communities.

Quotes

“Our government is taking action to protect the environment, advance reconciliation and strengthen the economy in Canada’s North. These contracts and the standing offer provide the necessary, crucial next steps towards the full remediation of the Faro Mine Complex in Yukon. At the same time, they will provide opportunities for socio-economic development and capacity-building for local First Nations.”

The Honourable Filomena Tassi
Minister of Public Services and Procurement

“Protecting the environment, advancing reconciliation and creating economic opportunity for Indigenous and Northern communities are top priorities for our government. These contracts and the standing offer will create employment for local First Nations and Northerners while advancing the remediation of the abandoned Faro Mine. Our government will continue to work in partnership with Indigenous and Northern communities in identifying opportunities and ensuring that local First Nations and neighbouring communities benefit from the Faro Mine Remediation Project.”

The Honourable Dan Vandal
Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and for Prairies Economic Development Canada

“The Faro Mine Complex was a fixture of Yukon mineral development for decades. I am pleased to see progress in the remediation of this mine through 3 new contracts and 1 standing offer. Environmental sustainability and collaboration with local First Nations, including job opportunities, continue to be vital components of this project. I look forward to the efforts of these contracted organizations to improve the long-term revitalization of the area.”

Brendan Hanley
Member of Parliament for Yukon

Quick facts

The Faro Mine Remediation Project is one of the largest and most complex abandoned mine clean-up projects underway in Canada.
Once the largest open-pit lead-zinc mine in the world, Faro Mine was a major economic driver for Yukon and Canada from its opening in 1969 to its abandonment in 1998.
Nearly 30 years of processing materials at the mine has left behind 70 million tonnes of tailings and 320 million tonnes of waste rock.
The mine spans 25 square kilometres, an area roughly the size of the city of Victoria, British Columbia.
The contracts have been awarded as follows:
- Environmental Monitoring Services (EMS) awarded to Ensero Solutions Canada Inc. for $18,157,561.40
- Remediation Plan Design and Support Services (RPDSS) awarded to AECOM Canada Ltd. for $31,705,000
- Regulatory Support Services awarded to Golder Associates Ltd. for $3,150,000
The standing offer for Geotechnical Support Services was awarded to Tetra Tech Canada Inc. for $4,500,000.
As part of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation, the RPDSS and EMS contracts include firm commitments by the contractor to ensure employment and training opportunities for Kaska Dena citizens and subcontracting to Kaska Dena-owned businesses.
First Nations, the Town of Faro, and other partners are members of the collaborative team that will deliver this project. Affected First Nations include the Kaska Dena First Nations and Selkirk First Nation.
Remediation of the mine is expected to take 15 years to complete, followed by testing, monitoring and care, and maintenance into the long term.

Associated links

Contacts

Olivier Pilon
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Filomena Tassi
613-323-6621
olivier.pilon@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca

Kyle Allen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
819-953-1153
kyle.allen@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Media Relations
Public Services and Procurement Canada
819-420-5501
media@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
819-934-2302
rcaanc.media.cirnac@canada.ca

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Date modified:: 2022-08-17