Yellowknife (Dec 05/03) - Con mine's general manager says everything is being done by the book and complaints from a government agency about the company's underground closure plans are unfounded.

Malcolm Green, a miner who watched as Con Mine closed last week, stands on the top floor of Robertson Shaft. The mine is being flooded but the hoist is still operational. - NNSL file photo

John Stard reacted angrily to a story in last Friday's Yellowknifer that reported Miramar was ignoring an appeal from the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board's not to flood the mine until the company's closure plans have been approved.

The mine manager said while it's unlikely he will respond to the board's letter, the company nonetheless has a good working relationship with the board. He said they have been in constant communication on the closure plans.

"Everybody knew what we were doing with the flooding of the mine," said Stard.

"Everybody was aware the pumps would stop, and we've given them that information that they required."

The underground pumps at the mine were turned off last Friday, although the hoist on Robertson Shaft remains operational. It's expected to take about four years to fully flood the mine.

Some environmental groups are worried that heavy hydrocarbons and other contaminants built up over decades of mining may leak out after the mine floods.

Stard said he is confident Miramar has taken the necessary steps to ensure its closure practices are sound and no threat to the environment.

"Miramar has done everything it needs to do," said Stard. "We've looked at PCBs, we've looked at oil contamination, we've looked at the equipment and everything is in order."

Board executive director Bob Wooley did not return phone calls, but Annette McRobert, director of operations with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, said no one from the board has approached them about concerns over Con Mine yet.

She said a mine inspector went underground at Con before the pumps shut down last week to confirm that mining equipment was properly cleaned. "When a mine does shuts down, and is allowed to flood, this is pretty much a standard procedure for mine closings," said McRobert.

She said Miramar has agreed to submit a mine water monitoring plan to the board by the end of January.

The board is responsible for issuing land use permits and water licences and approve mine closures, but it's up to the department to ensure the rules are followed.