Suncor expects to reduce the number of ponds at its present oil sands mine site from eight to one, shrinking total land area covered by the ponds by about 80 per cent.
Responsible Canadian Energy™
2011 President's Award
Length: 3:00 - March, 2011
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President’s Award
Suncor Energy
Tailings Management and Wapisiw Lookout
Suncor is investing $1.2 billion to implement its new TRO™ tailings management process, expected to reduce tailings reclamation time by up to two decades when compared to current methods. In June 2010, Suncor secured regulatory approval to use the TRO™ process commercially and has accelerated implementation of the technology across its existing operations.
Suncor expects to reduce the number of ponds at its present oil sands mine site from eight to one, shrinking total land area covered by the ponds by about 80 per cent.
In September 2010, Suncor completed surface reclamation of a tailings pond, a key step in reclamation. Located north of Fort McMurray, the 220-hectare Wapisiw Lookout, formerly known as Pond 1, was transformed into a surface solid enough to be actively revegetated and reclaimed.
Over the next two decades, Suncor will maintain and monitor progress on site, including the growth of 630,000 shrubs and trees planted in 2010. Ongoing soil, water and vegetation assessments will help ensure the site remains on course for return to a self-sustaining ecosystem.
Read about Suncor's TRO™ Tailings Management Process and Wapisiw Lookout