BluMetric Environmental Inc, a full-service environmental consulting and engineering cleantech firm has announced that it has been awarded a C$1.6 million contract over five months for the operation and maintenance of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) at the now closed Giant gold mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, in collaboration with Det’on Cho Management LP (Det’on Cho), the economic development arm of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. The ETP is a crucial component of the Giant Mine Remediation Project (GMRP), a Government funded initiative.

BluMetric will provide extensive technical expertise and skill in water remediation to operate the Giant Mine ETP in partnership with Det’on Cho. The contract was awarded by Parsons, the GMRP’s Main Construction Manager, after the successful conclusion of a joint submission through a competitive process.

“Our team leveraged our extensive experience, including that gained from having recently completed similar engineering projects at comparable mining-related facilities, to develop a winning proposal that accommodates not only the usual operating complexities associated with Canada’s remote north, but also addresses the unprecedented challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Scott MacFabe, CEO of BluMetric.

The company said the contract highlights BluMetric’s versatility and adaptability, particularly valuable assets when dealing with operating conditions in the Northwest Territories under stringent and controlled conditions required by the ETP and the current pandemic, including additional isolation measures taken for incoming workers, as per the Chief Public Health Officer’s guidance, to ensure the safety of other workers on site and local community members.

Operation of the ETP involves the treatment of water that is pumped from the mine and all surface water that is directed to and collected in the tailings ponds – with crews treating water continuously throughout the day and night. The treatment involves the addition of chemicals to remove contaminants from the tailings water through a settling process prior to environmental release. Water discharged to the environment must meet stringent criteria established by the regulatory authorities for the protection of human health and the environment.

“BluMetric’s strengths in water management, engineering and treatment system design, construction and operation for clients in a range of sectors, including mining and Government-led environmental remediation and rehabilitation, has established the organisation as a leader in this area. The company has completed similar projects internationally and is very familiar operating in remote and northern settings of the Canadian Arctic, a niche market in which it is establishing leadership positioning.”