In an era where the mining industry is actively reshaping its reputation, Mount Milligan Mine, located within Tsay Keh Dene Territory in Northern BC, stands as a precedent-setting example of responsible and proactive environmental stewardship. Gone are the days when mines would extract resources without regard for the future. Today, Mount Milligan Mine is committed to progressively reclaiming and restoring the land it operates on, aiming to create wildlife habitat and foster traditional land use opportunities. Through innovative techniques and implemented by a dedicated team, Mount Milligan Mine is spearheading a new era of mining reclamation.

Before the advent of modern technologies, mines often left behind barren wastelands, leaving closure as someone else's problem. Mount Milligan Mine is challenging this paradigm. As Travis Desormeaux, the Environmental Superintendent, puts it "the end goals of our Reclamation program are to restore wildlife habitat and promote traditional land use opportunities." Progressive Reclamation has become a cornerstone of their operations, fostering credibility within local communities, improving business prospects, and setting an example for the industry as a whole.

At Mount Milligan Mine, an exceptional and diverse team comprising Environmental Coordinators, Advisors, and Technicians is working tirelessly to uphold the company's commitment to environmental stewardship and progressive reclamation. Daphne Hall, an Environmental Coordinator, emphasizes the importance of building consensus through community engagement. With a shared vision, the team strives to maximize the potential opportunities for land use after mining, ensuring a harmonious relationship between industry and the community.

Mount Milligan Mine, a 60,000-ton-per-day conventional truck and shovel mine, serves as a living laboratory for reclamation trials. Sean Rapai, a Restoration Ecologist from Chu Cho Environmental, describes the implementation of three key treatments: hydroseeding, rough and loose soil contouring, and water bars. Drawing from the successes of reclamation programs at other mines, such as Kemess and Endako, the team is tailoring their approach to the site-specific factors and conditions at Mount Milligan Mine.

The chosen treatments serve as catalysts for transforming the mine's landscapes. Vincent Chinji, an Environmental Advisor from Centerra Gold, explains how rough and loose soil contouring helps stabilize the slopes, creating favorable microsites for plant growth. Water bars, installed through meticulous back blading, enhance infiltration and reduce soil erosion. Meanwhile, hydroseeding, a common practice in land reclamation, promotes vegetation establishment and mitigates erosion risks. Native plant species, carefully selected and meticulously planted, play a vital role in restoring the ecological balance.

Morgan Husereau, a Land Reclamation Supervisor at Chu Cho Environmental, highlights the collaborative efforts between ecologists and machine operators, ensuring that the environmental vision is effectively translated into practical actions. With precise soil contouring and effective communication, the team establishes the foundation for successful reclamation. By sharing knowledge and fostering a learning environment, the team aspires to empower all workers at Mount Milligan Mine to contribute to their long-term land use objectives.

In 2020 we began working with the Mt. Milligan Mine Environment Team to implement a large scale reclamation trial. This video was completed a year later in 2021 and it was submitted to the Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation (TRCR) for the Jake McDonald award. This project won the competition and both Centerra Gold and Chu Cho Environmental were awarded the Jake McDonald Annual Reclamation Award.

As collaborators, both Chu Cho Environmental and Mount Milligan Mine are proud to be at the forefront of progressive reclamation efforts in the mining industry. By implementing innovative techniques and working closely with local communities, we strive to improve the restoration of wildlife habitat, promote traditional land use opportunities, and set new standards for responsible mining practices. The ongoing trials and meticulous monitoring at Mount Milligan Mine provide invaluable insights that will shape the future of reclamation efforts, not just within our organizations, but across the industry as a whole. We extend our gratitude to DWB, Duz Cho, our team members and collaborators for their collective contributions to these ambitious goals. Together, we are building a path towards more sustainable and environmentally conscious mining practices.