Mine Environment Neutral Drainage

Through the Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) Program, Canadian mining companies and provincial/territorial and federal departments have reduced the liability due to acidic drainage by at least $400 million. This is an impressive return on an investment of $17.5 million over eight years.

Acidic drainage is recognized as the largest environmental liability facing the mining industry and, to a lesser extent, the public through abandoned mines. MEND was implemented to develop and apply new technologies to prevent and control acidic drainage. Tremendous progress has been made. The target is for new mines to open without long-term concerns about acidic drainage upon closure.

The following quote received at ICARD summarizes the MEND program very well:

"MEND has focussed the acidic drainage effort, so that now we have a whole series of good options in our toolbox. Without you guys, we would be all over the place."

Funding for the MEND Secretariat is shared by Natural Resources Canada and The Mining Association of Canada.

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