As part of the Manitoba government’s commitment to protect the environment and expedite work to clean up orphaned and abandoned mine sites the 45 million dollars multi-year remediation project at the Ruttan Mine is now complete.

         The mine, located near Leaf Rapids, has been closed since 2002. Remediation work began in 2006 and diverts clean water away from tailings and diverts impacted water to an open collection pit so contaminants can be removed before the water is discharged. The work also included covering exposed materials in tailings management areas with clay, peat, and grass to reduce the risk of contaminants entering the air and water. The province will continue to treat water and monitor the site to ensure environmental standards are maintained at this location.

          Environment Minister Jeff Wharton noted the government has made a strong commitment to expedite the cleanup of orphaned and abandoned mine sites to help protect our environment and the completion of this major initiative at the Ruttan Mine is another significant step toward that goal.  He added at its peak this multi-year project at the Ruttan Mine created more than 50 local jobs in northern Manitoba.