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2004 Robert E. Leckie Award Recipients
Quartz Mining Reclamation - Honourable Mention
PLACER MINING RECLAMATION Industry and government would like to recognize and congratulate John Alton and Martin Knutson of Henry Gulch Placers for outstanding placer mining reclamation practices at Last Chance Creek. Martin Knutson and John Alton have been mining together for 22 years throughout the Klondike area. They have consistently maintained high standards of reclamation. In July 2000 they moved to Last Chance Creek. The mine was in a serious state of disrepair with large areas unable to support vegetation and a hillside which had slumped into the creek. The condition of the creek was contributing to sedimentation of Hunker Creek. Through their reclamation work the pair treated large sections of the property to ensure swift revegetation. They reclaimed and stabilized some old mine pits, and built a pond to catch ongoing degradation from old workings above the site, to further protect the creek. The creek has now been stabilized, and a new, safer road system is in place. This work represents an immense effort to restore old mine works that could not have successfully recovered without the dedication of these two partners. John and Martin are true community leaders and their work is worthy of the award for outstanding placer mining reclamation practices.
QUARTZ MINING RECLAMATION Industry and government would like to recognize and congratulate NovaGold Resources Inc. for Outstanding Quartz Mining Reclamation Practices at McQuesten. NovaGold Resources Inc. is an international company with interests in Yukon, British Columbia and Alaska. Reclamation work at its McQuesten property in the Mayo mining district is an award winning example of decommissioning or closing a mining property. The company began their reclamation in November 2003. In September 2004, the company returned to complete the decommissioning of the property. NovaGold re-assessed the results of the work completed in 2003 and felt that more could be done. The work undertaken created areas where moisture could collect, shade for seedlings, and habitat for small animals. This type of reclamation also prevents access by small terrain vehicles and snow machines. It is anticipated that the area will be more pristine than when began working the site. This company shows a dedication to reclamation that is exemplary. They are good corporate citizens and very worthy of this award.
QUARTZ MINING RECLAMATION - HONOURABLE MENTION Industry and government would like to recognize and congratulate Newmont Exploration of Canada Ltd. for innovation and leadership in reclamation technology at Aurex. Newmont Exploration of Canada Ltd. is part of an international company operating in five continents. In the fall of 2001 this company completed extensive reclamation of trenches on the Aurex property in the Mayo mining district. Trenches were backfilled, contoured, and a drag-back technique was used to replace the vegetation. This gave the area a consistent and rough finish of soil, scattered brush, and trees. Redistribution of the organic material over re-contoured trenches contributes largely to the re-vegetation success of a disturbed site by providing capture areas where moisture could collect, shade for seedlings, and habitat for small animals. This type of reclamation also prevents access by small terrain vehicles and snow machines. Newmont Exploration of Canada Ltd. is commended for excellent reclamation in an area of ongoing exploration.
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Last Updated 07-09-2005