From the Canadian Energy Centre

By Deborah Jaremko

New standards to build on rules already in place for other mining sectors

In what the former Chief of the Fort McKay First Nation calls “a critical step in the right direction,” the Alberta government is moving to accelerate reclamation of more than 1.3 trillion litres of water stored in oil sands tailings ponds.

On Sept. 5, the province announced it will expedite setting standards that allow for “mine water” to be treated and released into the environment, building on the rules that are already in place for other mining operations across Canada.

“We cannot ignore this challenge, we need to keep working together to find practical and effective solutions that protect Indigenous rights, people and the environment,” said Chief Jim Boucher, a member of Alberta’s Oil Sands Mine Water Steering Committee.

That committee is behind a suite of nine recommendations that Alberta is putting into action to improve mine water management and tailings pond reclamation.

The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) says decades of research give the industry confidence that mine water can be safely treated and released once regulations are in place.

But that will take the federal government moving faster too.

Both the federal and provincial governments play a role in potential regulations for the treatment and release of oil sands mine water.

“Alberta is proposing science-based parameters to ensure the safe return of treated water used in oil sands mining, just as other provincial governments do for their respective mining sectors,” MAC CEO Pierre Gratton said in a statement.

“We are hopeful that this will accelerate the development of federal regulations – which we requested almost 15 years ago – to be similarly advanced.”

Gratton said setting standards for safe mine water release could unlock “significant investments” in oil sands reclamation and water treatment.

What are tailings ponds?

Tailings are a byproduct of mining operations around the world.

Oil sands tailings ponds are engineered basins holding a mix of mine water, sand, silt, clay and residual bitumen generated during the extraction process. There are eight operating oil sands mines with tailings ponds in northern Alberta.

Recycling water held in these basins helps operators reduce the amount of fresh water withdrawn from the Athabasca River.

In 2023, 79 per cent of the water used for oil sands mining was recycled, according to the Alberta Energy Regulator.

What is oil sands mine water?

Oil sands mine water is water that comes into contact with the various stages of oil sands mining operations, including bitumen extraction and processing.

Tailings ponds in the oil sands also hold water from significant amounts of rain and snow collected in the decades since the first mines began operating.

While the oil sands mining sector has reduced the amount of fresh water it uses per barrel of oil produced by nearly one-third since 2013, the total volume of mine water in tailings storage has grown as production has increased.

What’s in oil sands mine water? 

The constituents of oil sands mine water requiring treatment for safe release are both typical of water in other industrial processes and unique to the oil sands sector.

MAC says common materials are suspended solids like sand, silt and clay, as well as a range of metals. These can be treated by a wide range of proven technologies already in use in Canada and globally.

Unique to oil sands mine water are organic compounds such as naphthenic acids. According to MAC, operators have demonstrated and continue to invest in processes to treat these to levels safe for environmental release.

How does mine water impact reclamation? 

At the end of an oil sands mine’s life, operators must remove all infrastructure and restore the land to features of a self-sustaining boreal forest similar to what was there before.

Addressing the challenge of tailings ponds and the mine water stored in them is critical to the overall success of oil sands mining reclamation.

Why is mine water release important?

MAC says the only way to remove mine water in tailings ponds is to treat it for safe release to the environment.

Strict regulations allow for this process across Canadian copper, nickel, gold, iron ore, and diamond mining operations. But it is prohibited in the oil sands.

The safe release of treated oil sands mine water into the environment can reduce the need to store it, minimize further land disturbance and help reclamation happen faster.

MAC says operators have shown they can treat mine water to safe release levels, using processes that include innovative technologies developed through Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance.

What is Alberta doing? 

Alberta has accepted the Oil Sands Mine Water Steering Committee’s nine recommendations aimed at speeding up solutions for safe mine water release.

The province says the recommendations, developed with input from industry, technology providers, Indigenous communities and scientists, will now be evaluated to determine how they can be put into practice.

Read the full recommendations here.

Premier Smith has issued new mandate letters to several ministers. Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow will push for Alberta to set its own immigration levels and expand youth job programs. Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen will strengthen wildfire protections and open more recreation opportunities. Minister of Tourism and Sport Andrew Boitchenko will expand year-round tourism and implement the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act to ensure women and girls have the opportunity to compete in biological female-only divisions. Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir will expand Alberta Day, showcase the provincial flag more prominently, and improve supports for survivors of domestic violence.

Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow, Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen, Minister of Tourism and Sport Andrew Boitchenko and Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir have been tasked with promoting Alberta’s industries, driving investment, creating jobs and increasing prosperity for people who live in Alberta.

The new mandate letters are focused on delivering the programs and supports that matter to Albertans, Alberta companies, workers and the economy, while maintaining Alberta as the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Through the commitments outlined in each mandate letter, Alberta’s ministers will deliver results, strengthen communities and build a future rooted in prosperity, opportunity and responsible governance.

“A resilient and diversified economy is one of our top priorities and what Albertans expect from their government. We are creating the conditions for workers and industries in Alberta to keep growing – by supporting investments where they are needed and reducing barriers that stifle innovation and expansion.”

Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration

The Premier tasks Minister Joseph Schow with:

• Using every legal and policy tool to gain greater provincial authority over immigration, setting sustainable levels that prioritize economic migrants, and ensuring young Albertans have access to jobs. Expanding programs to reduce youth unemployment, developing talent pipelines and helping newcomers integrate successfully.
• Attracting major domestic and international investment by coordinating with partners, reviewing and improving incentive programs, increasing the Investment and Growth Fund and aligning investment attraction agencies with Alberta’s long-term economic goals.
• Defending Alberta’s interests in federal trade negotiations, implementing and managing trade agreements and supporting Alberta businesses to expand into new global markets through trade missions and services.
• Collaborating with ministries and partners to expand airport capacity and connectivity, supporting value-added forestry initiatives, growing Alberta’s cultural industries and securing public and private investment in defense-related and other strategic infrastructure projects.

“Alberta continues to stand out as the best place to do business. Our government’s work is leading to a stronger economy, more jobs and more opportunity for those who call Alberta home. I am honoured to accept this mandate given to me by Premier Smith to continue this growth for Alberta, keeping our province strong and free.”

Forestry and Parks

The Premier tasks Minister Todd Loewen with:

• Securing a federal partnership for wildfire mitigation on federal lands, especially in national parks, and advancing proactive fire management through strategic harvesting, fuel reduction, expanded FireSmart programs, new technology and modern firefighting equipment.
• Finalizing and implementing the new strategy to expand public access to natural spaces responsibly, while continuing to add new campsites, trails and recreation opportunities, and upgrading infrastructure in high-traffic areas like Kananaskis, Canmore and Crowsnest Pass.
• Remaining committed to a common-sense approach to maintain healthy wildlife populations and guide ministry practices related to fish and game management.
• Proposing a value-added tax incentive for forestry products and enabling more public land use opportunities through private and community partnerships.

“The beautiful outdoors of our province feels like home for many Albertans. Our government is continuing its work to make sure that the land we have all grown up loving will stay strong for Albertans today and for future generations”

Tourism and Sport

The Premier tasks Minister Andrew Boitchenko with:

• Maintaining progress on expanding opportunities for sustainable year-round tourism in the Alberta Rockies with all-season resorts.
• Ensuring the full implementation of the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, using every legal and constitutional tool available to defend Alberta athletes and guarantee a level playing field.
• Respecting taxpayer dollars by creating a new provincial bidding policy to oversee future bids to host international and national sport events and working with Treasury Board and Finance to ensure visitors contribute fairly to taxes and fees.
• Continuing to work with Travel Alberta to unleash Alberta’s potential and reach the ambitious goal of $25 billion in visitor spending.

“Premier Danielle Smith has made my mandate clear; grow Alberta’s visitor economy and ensure our province continues to be the best place to live, work, visit and play. We have already had great success, and I am excited to keep that ball rolling as we work to strengthen Alberta’s tourism and sport sectors. Albertans elected us to get the job done and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”

Arts, Culture and Status of Women

The Premier tasks Minister Tanya Fir with:

• Continuing to work with the Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration to grow Alberta’s cultural industries including music, television, film and other performing arts.
• Maintaining progress on promoting and celebrating Alberta’s unique cultural identity and heritage, including identifying opportunities to more prominently display our provincial flag and motto across the province while significantly growing the size and scope of Alberta Day celebrations.
• Remaining committed to collaborating with First Nations throughout the province that wish to repatriate items identified as belonging to their nations, including the implementation of the new repatriation framework.
• In cooperation with the Minister of Children and Family Services, pushing forward on developing and implementing supports for victims of domestic violence.

“Our government has a clear vision for Alberta’s arts, culture and heritage sectors to ensure they remain central to our economy, identity and communities. Through this mandate, I will continue leading initiatives that celebrate who we are, create more opportunities in cultural industries, collaborate with First Nations partners and support survivors of gender-based violence.”