The Ontario government evacuated several residents living close to the defunct Toburn gold mine, near Kirkland Lake, Ont., after it was discovered their homes rest on unstable ground.
Ground stability testing, conducted under the province’s $27-million Abandoned Mines Program, revealed that three house trailers are sitting on potentially unstable ground, posing a safety hazard to their occupants.
“As soon as we discovered the potential hazard, we moved quickly to notify the affected residents,” says Dick Cowan, director of mine rehabilitation for the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. “Having the residents vacate the site means it can be appropriately signed and fenced off, protecting other area residents.”
At a meeting with residents in late November, representatives from the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and the Ministry of Natural Resources explained what is being done and answered questions from homeowners.
The ministry has spent $400,000 to cap two open shafts and secure a third, and has conducted extensive drilling on-site to determine the stability of the underground workings.
An engineering firm has been hired to determine if the three affected trailers could be moved from the site. However, it’s not known if the land could support moving equipment. Meanwhile, residents of two of the three trailers have been moved out.
Cowan adds: “I want to make it clear that we will support the residents throughout this. Should moving the trailers not be possible, we will discuss alternative options with the affected residents.”
Once the final report on the stability of the former mine workings has been received, the ministry will determine what further action is needed.
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