In the question and answer session, Marathon PGM was asked, in light of public opposition to the use of Bamoos Lake as a tailings dump, if they would remove the Bamoos option from their formal submission to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA). Eric Zakrewksi, of True Grit Consulting Ltd., replied that they would not remove the option. The Bamoos option will be included as part of the formal proposal to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.
Ray Mason of Marathon PGM estimated that the South Option for managing tailings will cost approximately 17 million dollars more than the North/Bamoos option.
Marathon PGM has thoroughly analysed many different tailings management options with their own system of weighing the environmental, economic and social consequences of each option. If the project is assigned a panel review, the public is allowed to access government funds to hire independent, expert advice. Citizens for a Responsible Mine believes that the scale and the irreversibility of the consequences of both of Marathon PGM’s preferred tailings management options as well as the potential for future costs to tax payers suggest the need for an analysis by an independent expert who can weigh the tailings management options in a manner consistent with the public’s priorities.
Eric Zakrewksi of True Grit Consulting Ltd. stated that moving the CEAA review to a more rigorous panel review rather than a comprehensive review does not slow down the review process. He stated that it may, in fact, speed up the process.
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