FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Removal of Environmental Hazards at Two Abandoned Mineral Exploration Sites in Okak Bay, Labrador St. John’s, NL – 13 October 2015 Last week, the Restoration of Labrador Exploration Sites (ROLES) Inc. successfully removed 151 abandoned fuel drums, 320 litres of fuel, and a propane cylinder from two former remote exploration sites in Okak Bay, Nunatsiavut. Okak Bay is 110 kilometres north of Nain. This work was completed by Aivek Holdings Inc. who worked with CJ Webb Inc. and Universal Helicopters Newfoundland and Labrador LP, to recover these materials to a long liner where it was shipped to Vale’s operation at Voisey’s Bay for appropriate disposal. Persistent high winds and waves presented unsafe conditions to completely clean up the site. A single fuel drum and five propane cylinders will be recovered at a later date. The ROLES Project is an industry-driven not for profit organization that was initiated by Altius Minerals in 2012. The ROLES project aims to identify, inspect and restore priority abandoned mineral exploration sites throughout Labrador. The ROLES Project has removed hazardous material from 13 high priority sites; that included more than 14,000 litres of diesel and gasoline, 411 fuel drums, and 25 large propane cylinders. The recovered hazardous material was delivered to the Voisey's Bay Mine, where Vale agreed to incorporate it into their waste management program for hazardous materials. The ROLES Project board is currently represented by: Kaylen Janes (Altius Minerals), Lela Evans, Brad King (Vale), Perry Trimper (Provincial Liberal Candidate), Ernie Ford (Nunatsiavut Government), Brigitte Masella (New Millennium Iron Corp.), and George Russell Jr. (NunatuKavut Community Council). “The Nunatsiavut Government is pleased to be a partner in the ROLES Project,” says Nunatsiavut’s Minister of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Sean Lyall. “The removal of these hazards from such a significant historical and cultural location such as Okak demonstrates the commitment of all partners involved in this initiative in protecting and preserving the environment for future generations of Labrador Inuit.” The Nunatsiavut Government is an important Partner of the ROLES Project, particularly as so many of the priority sites for cleanup are within the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area. Other funding and in-kind support partners include: Altius Minerals, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Vale, Aurora Energy, Universal Helicopters NL, Innu Mikun
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Airlines, Stantec Consulting Ltd., PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), TATA Steel Minerals Canada, Air Labrador, New Millennium Iron Corp, and Mining Petroleum Services. Recognition should also be given to the many community members throughout Labrador and northern QuĂŠbec that participated in interviews during the data collection stage of the ROLES project. The ROLES Project has identified many other legacy abandoned mineral exploration sites in Labrador. The ROLES Project hopes to attract additional funding to address remaining abandoned sites, particularly in the Central Mineral Belt (central Labrador) and Labrador West. This initiative is a great example of industry, Aboriginal governments and the Provincial Government working together to address a legacy environmental issue. The ROLES Project was the recipient of the 2015 Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Award in the category of Community Group or Organization. If you would like to learn more or become involved please visit www.altiusminerals.com/environmental or email kaylen@altiusminerals.com.
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