Alexco Resource Corp’s wholly-owned US subsidiary, Alexco Water and Environment (AWE) has entered into a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Colorado Legacy Land LLC (CLL) to become the Operator of Responsible Charge for the Schwartzwalder mine and the former Cañon City uranium mill reclamation and clean-up projects located approximately 45 miles northwest and 115 miles south of Denver, respectively. The two projects comprise a total of approximately 3,300 acres of freehold land which are subject to a mine reclamation permit and radiation materials licenses.
As part of the MSA, AWE, on a fee-for-service basis, will be responsible for all work to complete the reclamation obligations assumed by CLL associated with the regulatory closure, environmental compliance, investigation and clean-up for the Schwartzwalder and Cañon City properties. The scope of services to be performed by AWE will be jointly developed by CLL and AWE through annual work plans to meet regulatory and clean-up requirements under the Schwartzwalder mining reclamation permit and radiation materials licenses, and the clean-up plan that is being developed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) process for the former Canon City mill site. AWE will be responsible for the implementation and execution of all the components within those work plans.
Paul Newman, Managing Director of CLL, commented “Alexco’s experience in mine closure, water treatment, radiation management and clean-up services, and brownfields remediation provides CLL with a partner that can achieve the best remediation outcomes for these sites, and support the best possible reuses that will benefit our neighbouring communities. We are pleased to have this expertise to energize these clean-up and reuse projects.”
Clynt Nauman, Alexco CEO and Chairman commented, “We are very pleased to be working with CLL to actively clean up these long standing and relatively high profile contaminated areas. This long-term agreement is expected to take more than ten years to complete and generate revenue in excess of $20 million for AWE while underpinning the ongoing growth of our US environmental group. We remain committed to growing our environmental business by providing a range and quality of services to clients across North America, which is complementary to our mining business and clean up of legacy environmental issues at our Keno Hill Silver District in Yukon, Canada.”
With ongoing growth in both its environmental and mine-related business units, Alexco has strengthened its management structure through the appointment of James Harrington to the position of President of Alexco Environmental Group (AEG) where he will be responsible for executive, strategic and technical leadership of AEG and its various subsidiaries. In a related management change, Linda Broughton, currently Vice President, Projects for AEG, will be appointed Vice President, Technical Services for Alexco in support of mining operations at the Keno Hill Silver District. Ms. Broughton will also be appointed to the position of President of Alexco’s subsidiary, Elsa Reclamation and Development Company, where she will lead the implementation of the reclamation and closure plan for the legacy environmental liabilities in the Keno Hill Silver District.