Restoration of the Barvue mine

Located about 50 km from Val-d’Or, the Barvue mine was a major source of economic activity in the region, operating mainly for zinc and silver between 1952 and 1957. However, mining activities have left a significant environmental impact, including a 30-hectare tailings facility classified as Category 1 (GERLED) due to the high risk of acidification and release of metals into the environment. In addition, a major spill of mine tailings into Marcotte Creek and the Laflamme River had an adverse impact on water quality and the local ecosystem.

Our eco-engineering team was therefore commissioned to carry out the Barvue mine site restoration project, undertaking a series of essential actions including consolidating the tailings pond dikes, relocating a 150-metre section of the Marcotte stream and excavating the tailings discharged into this stream, then confining them in a specific cell. Our team was involved in every stage of the project, from environmental characterization, to a study of the stability of the tailings pond, the development of the restoration plan, the design of the structures, the preparation of plans and specifications, including obtaining environmental authorizations for the various phases of the project, as well as monitoring and controlling the quality of the work to ensure effective management of the project as a whole.