Environmental footprints: Tackling the impacts of historical mines
May 21, 2025
{
"description": "",
"ideasArticleShareLabel": "Share",
"networks": [
"linkedin",
"twitter",
"email"
]
}
Canada has more than 14,000 historical mine sites. Michelle Fraser writes in Environment Journal about mitigating their environmental impacts.
{
"text": "
Canada has more than 14,000 historical mine sites in care and maintenance or closure, according to the Canadian Institute of Mining. Most of these sites were developed in the early to mid-1900s prior to the establishment of environmental standards and permits—and as a result, many have legacy environmental impacts.
The increasing price of metal commodities and technology advancements has made the redevelopment of historical mine sites economically achievable. More mining companies are investing in these former sites and deploying state-of-the-art technology to recover minerals that remain.
This trend raises two questions: How do we redevelop these historical mine sites in an environmentally and socially responsible manner? How do we address legacy impacts while also minimizing environmental risks associated with new mining activity?
Michelle Fraser discusses how collaboration and new innovations hold the answers to these questions in her article in Environment Journal.
" }
{
"as": "a",
"children": "Read Full Article",
"href": "https:\/\/environmentjournal.ca\/tackling\u002Dthe\u002Denvironmental\u002Dimpacts\u002Dof\u002Dhistorical\u002Dmines\/",
"target": "_blank",
"variant": "big-button"
}
Share
{
"description": "",
"ideasArticleShareLabel": "Share",
"networks": [
"linkedin",
"twitter",
"email"
]
}
-
Michelle is a senior hydrogeologist and national technical leader with over 15 years of experience focusing on groundwater supply development and protection, contaminant hydrogeology, and impact assessment related to resource development projects.
Contact Michelle
{
"headline": "Related Ideas",
"link": {
"text":"View More Ideas",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/market\/mining.html"
},
"newTab": false,
"uuid": "0a10c2b4\u002D095c\u002D499d\u002D89c8\u002De2921f7f1c51",
"themeClass": "home-related-items-2",
"tabs": [
{
"headline": "",
"active": true,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 0 - Silica dust: Mining’s invisible concern and the next test of leadership",
"link": {
"text":"Silica dust: Mining’s invisible concern and the next test of leadership",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/silica\u002Ddust\u002Dminings\u002Dinvisible\u002Dconcern\u002Dnext\u002Dtest\u002Dof\u002Dleadership.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/029\/stone\u002Dcrusher\u002Dadobestock\u002D1849531453.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Silica dust: Mining’s invisible concern and the next test of leadership",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 1 - Tailings management north of parallel 60",
"link": {
"text":"Tailings management north of parallel 60",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/tailings\u002Dmanagement\u002Dnorth\u002Dparallel\u002D60.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/004\/grise\u002Dfiord\u002Dnunavut\u002Dadobestock\u002D653495458.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Tailings management north of parallel 60",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 2 - Managing mine water",
"link": {
"text":"Managing mine water",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/managing\u002Dmine\u002Dwater.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/huntly\u002Dquarries\u002Dadobestock\u002D978496401.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Managing mine water",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 3 - Engineering the future: Building resilient supply chains and talent pipelines",
"link": {
"text":"Engineering the future: Building resilient supply chains and talent pipelines",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/engineering\u002Dthe\u002Dfuture\u002Dbuilding\u002Dresilient\u002Dsupply\u002Dchains\u002Dtalent\u002Dpipelines.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/underground\u002Dmining\u002Dadobestock\u002D583759748.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Engineering the future: Building resilient supply chains and talent pipelines",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 4 - From data to decisions: How real-time monitoring helps achieve GISTM compliance",
"link": {
"text":"From data to decisions: How real\u002Dtime monitoring helps achieve GISTM compliance",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/from\u002Ddata\u002Dto\u002Ddecisions\u002Dhow\u002Dreal\u002Dtime\u002Dmonitoring\u002Dhelps\u002Dachieve\u002Dgistm\u002Dcompliance.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/cyprus\u002Dcopper\u002Dmine\u002Dadobestock\u002D507351600.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "From data to decisions: How real\u002Dtime monitoring helps achieve GISTM compliance",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 5 - Demystifying water management: Finding a balance",
"link": {
"text":"Demystifying water management: Finding a balance",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/demystifying\u002Dwater\u002Dmanagement\u002Dfinding\u002Da\u002Dbalance.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/004\/mine\u002Dwater\u002Dtreatment\u002Dadobestock\u002D563017578.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Demystifying water management: Finding a balance",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 6 - Transforming a Colorado mine into community green space",
"link": {
"text":"Transforming a Colorado mine into community green space",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/transforming\u002Dcolorado\u002Dmine\u002Dinto\u002Dcommunity\u002Dgreen\u002Dspace.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/pikeview\u002Dmine\u002Dgreen\u002Dspace.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Transforming a Colorado mine into community green space",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 7 - A shifting landscape in the mining industry",
"link": {
"text":"A shifting landscape in the mining industry",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/a\u002Dshifting\u002Dlandscape\u002Dmining\u002Dindustry.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/004\/mine\u002Dworkers\u002Dadobestock\u002D1083901078.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "A shifting landscape in the mining industry",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 8 - Powering the future: Canada’s role in the critical minerals race",
"link": {
"text":"Powering the future: Canada’s role in the critical minerals race",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/powering\u002Dthe\u002Dfuture\u002Dcanadas\u002Drole\u002Dcritical\u002Dminerals\u002Drace.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/rare\u002Dearth\u002Delements\u002Dadobestock\u002D682161069.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Powering the future: Canada’s role in the critical minerals race",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 9 - Environmental footprints: Tackling the impacts of historical mines",
"link": {
"text":"Environmental footprints: Tackling the impacts of historical mines",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/environmental\u002Dfootprints\u002Dtackling\u002Dimpacts\u002Dof\u002Dhistorical\u002Dmines.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/historic\u002Dmine\u002Dadobestock\u002D410510158.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Environmental footprints: Tackling the impacts of historical mines",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 10 - Renewable energy and electrification rely on critical minerals and metals",
"link": {
"text":"Renewable energy and electrification rely on critical minerals and metals",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/renewable\u002Denergy\u002Delectrification\u002Drely\u002Don\u002Dcritical\u002Dminerals\u002Dmetals.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/solar\u002Dpanels\u002Dadobestock\u002Dhr\u002D278469750.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Renewable energy and electrification rely on critical minerals and metals",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 11 - An energy conservation mindset",
"link": {
"text":"An energy conservation mindset",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/an\u002Denergy\u002Dconservation\u002Dmindset.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/004\/copper\u002Dmine\u002Dadobestock\u002D508304764.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "An energy conservation mindset",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 12 - Developing sustainable mine-closure plans for legacy tailings-storage facility management",
"link": {
"text":"Developing sustainable mine\u002Dclosure plans for legacy tailings\u002Dstorage facility management",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/developing\u002Dsustainable\u002Dmine\u002Dclosure\u002Dplans\u002Dlegacy\u002Dtailings\u002Dstorage\u002Dfacility\u002Dmanagement.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/026\/iron\u002Dore\u002Dmine\u002Dadobestock\u002D430995381.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Developing sustainable mine\u002Dclosure plans for legacy tailings\u002Dstorage facility management",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": false,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 13 - ",
"link": {
"text":"",
"url":""
},
"promoImage": "",
"overwriteHeadline": "",
"overwriteSubhead": "",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 14 - Mine reclamation planning: Q & A",
"link": {
"text":"Mine reclamation planning: Q \x26 A",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/mine\u002Dreclamation\u002Dplanning\u002Dq\u002Da.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0002\/tailings\u002Dpond\u002Dbc\u002Dadobestock\u002D220033736.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Mine reclamation planning: Q \x26 A",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 15 - In tune with nature: Nature-based mine reclamation",
"link": {
"text":"In tune with nature: Nature\u002Dbased mine reclamation",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/in\u002Dtune\u002Dwith\u002Dnature\u002Dnature\u002Dbased\u002Dmine\u002Dreclamation.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/023\/clear\u002Dlake\u002Dfalls\u002Dadobestock\u002D311109151.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "In tune with nature: Nature\u002Dbased mine reclamation",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": false,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 16 - ",
"link": {
"text":"",
"url":""
},
"promoImage": "",
"overwriteHeadline": "",
"overwriteSubhead": "",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 17 - From scar to a community resource—Pikeview Quarry’s reclamation journey",
"link": {
"text":"From scar to a community resource—Pikeview Quarry’s reclamation journey",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/from\u002Dscar\u002Dto\u002Dcommunity\u002Dresource\u002Dpikeview\u002Dquarrys\u002Dreclamation\u002Djourney.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0024\/pikeview\u002Dquarry\u002D200539.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "From scar to a community resource—Pikeview Quarry’s reclamation journey",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 18 - Mine by design",
"link": {
"text":"Mine by design",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/mine\u002Dby\u002Ddesign.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/004\/mining\u002Dtruck\u002Dadobestock\u002D126272490.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Mine by design",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 19 - Canada PFAS in the mining industry: Potential impacts, risks, and challenges",
"link": {
"text":"Canada PFAS in the mining industry: Potential impacts, risks, and challenges",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/canada\u002Dpfas\u002Dmining\u002Dindustry\u002Dpotential\u002Dimpacts\u002Drisks\u002Dchallenges.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/025\/open\u002Dpit\u002Dmining\u002Dadobestock\u002D424615785.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Canada PFAS in the mining industry: Potential impacts, risks, and challenges",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 20 - Sustainable mining finances: Exploring costs and liabilities",
"link": {
"text":"Sustainable mining finances: Exploring costs and liabilities",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/sustainable\u002Dmining\u002Dfinances\u002Dexploring\u002Dcosts\u002Dliabilities.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/025\/mine\u002Dsite\u002Dadobestock\u002D433891459.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Sustainable mining finances: Exploring costs and liabilities",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 21 - Stantec on mining’s quest for healthy closure",
"link": {
"text":"Stantec on mining’s quest for healthy closure",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2023\/stantec\u002Don\u002Dminings\u002Dquest\u002Dfor\u002Dhealthy\u002Dclosure.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/004\/mining\u002Dcrater\u002Dadobestock\u002D194607812.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Stantec on mining’s quest for healthy closure",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 22 - Canadian funding to advance mining’s ESG projects",
"link": {
"text":"Canadian funding to advance mining’s ESG projects",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2023\/canadian\u002Dfunding\u002Dadvance\u002Dminings\u002Desg\u002Dprojects.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/023\/lithium\u002Dbattery\u002Dadobestock\u002D198400062.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Canadian funding to advance mining’s ESG projects",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 23 - Stream restoration is critical for mine reclamation",
"link": {
"text":"Stream restoration is critical for mine reclamation",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2023\/stream\u002Drestoration\u002Dcritical\u002Dfor\u002Dmine\u002Dreclamation.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0130\/alamosa\u002Driver\u002D202556.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Stream restoration is critical for mine reclamation",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
}
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
}
]
}