Abandoned mines focus of program

A $10-million abandoned mines program is being set up by the Ontario government. The money for the Abandoned Mine Hazards Abatement Program was allocated in the recent budget brought down by the New Democratic Party government. Gilles Pouliot, minister of northern development and mines, said the program will help assess abandoned mine hazards and undertake remedial work on known high-risk sites. There are about 3,000 abandoned mine sites in the province, of which 2% are considered high risk. The list of hazards includes derelict buildings, open pits, old underground workings and tailings areas. More than half of the funding will be directed toward the rehabilitation of the most high-risk sites. Administration of the program will involve several government ministries.