Manitoba helps to clean up orphaned mines

Manitoba has committed itself to spend $42 million on cleaning up 18 orphaned or abandoned mines.

Premier Greg Selinger said that Manitoba is a leader in this kind of program, which is being done to ” create a healthier and safer environment.”

Orphaned or abandoned mines are those where the owner either cannot be found or is financially unable or unwilling to rehabilitate the site. Many were developed decades ago before environmental standards and concerns were as significant as they are today.

In 1999 Manitoba introduced regulations that require mining companies to provide financial security for the cost of environmental remediation in the future.