Atikokan Progess articles about the rehabilitation of the Caland mine site

Atikokan Progress, September 11, 2000
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

Ontario invests $5 million to enhance safety and value of former mine sites

The Ontario government will invest $5 million this year to rehabilitate former mine sites and return them to productive use as recreational, community, business or mineral exploration lands.

Northern Development and Mines Minister Tim Hudak announced August 31 the funding for the second year of the four-year Abandoned Mine Hazard Abatement Program. The $27 million program, announced last year, supports Ontario's rich natural heritage by rehabilitating former mine sites and enhances public safety by minimizing hazards throughout the province. Hudak held a news conference at the former Coldstream Mine site, west of Thunder Bay, to report on the program's first-year success and announce sites specifically targeted during the second year of the program.

"Improvements made at the Coldstream Mine site demonstrate the benefits of our investment", said Hudak. "The rehabilitation work we have done here clearly shows how this program can restore an important part of our natural heritage for the use and enjoyment of our children and future generations."

A total of 37 sites were rehabilitated in the program's first year, at a cost of about $2 million. This year, $5 million will be spent on site assessments, capping and backfilling at various sites across the province, including rehabilitation work at the former Kam Kotia Mine and other sites in the Timmins area.

"During the next three years of our abandoned mine rehabilitation initiative, my ministry will endeavor to further reduce potential public and environmental mine hazards", said Hudak. "In doing so, we will enhance the economic potential of these lands by returning them to productive use."

Atikokan Progress, September 11, 2000 Caland site eyed in rehab program / M. McKinnon

The Caland mine site has been targeted for rehabilitation under the province's Abandoned Mine Hazard Abatement Program, Minister of Northern Development and Mines Tim Hudak announced August 31.

Hudak was in Thunder Bay to make the announcement, where he pointed to the successful rehabilitation efforts at the Coldstream mine site. The Caland job will be similar to, but larger than that $653,000.00 project.

Chris Hanlon, coordinator of the mine hazard abatement program, said completing the demolition of the pelletizing plant would likely be the first priority of the efforts at Caland. He toured the site August 8th with local officials; there are also a headframe, an open shaft, and various other buildings at the site which will have to get some attention.

Before work can start, one major question has to be answered: Who owns the site? It is not Crown Land, and Caland and Quetico Wood Industries are both long gon from the scene. The Township has steadfastly refused to accept ownership of the site or the associated facilities.

Caland was one of a dozen sites specifically identified for action in the coming year under the program. Another 178 abandoned mine sites in the Thunder Bay District will be assessed by DST Consulting Engineers Inc as part of the program.