Progressive reclamation utilizing biosolids at the Hedley Gold Tailings Project, Hedley, British Columbia, Canada

The Hedley Gold Tailings Project was a heap leach gold extraction mine that operated between 1988 and 1995 beside Hedley, British Columbia. Tailings from the historic Mascot and Giant Nickel mines were deposited to the north and southeast of Hedley between 1904 and 1955. These tailings were mined, agglomerated, stacked into a heap and leached for gold, most recently by Candorado Operating Company Ltd. The Greater Vancouver Regional District progressively reclaimed some of the disturbed tailings areas in three phases during 1996, 1997 and 2000 utilizing biosolids. Forage establishment with biosolids was successful for all reclaimed tailings areas, improving their aesthetics and dust control. Public consultation was integral to each reclamation phase that utilized biosolids. Effective collaboration between public agencies enabled successful execution of the third phase. Continued reclamation progress at this site has demonstrated the value of public consultation and the capacity for collaboration between public agencies to enable progressive reclamation for the common good at a financially constrained mine site.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe