Volume 6 Appendices, Part 4 - Back River Project

330 Pages·2014·15.55 MB·English

Executive Summary
The Back River Project (the Project) is an exploration gold project owned by Sabina Gold and Silver
Corporation (Sabina) located in the West Kitikmeot region of Nunavut. The Project consists of several
different properties, one of which is the Back River property. An exploration camp is located near
Back River (Back River Camp), and Sabina conducted a drilling program out of this camp during 2010.
Several exploration targets exist in the Back River area, including the Goose deposit, and the Llama
deposit. For 2010, select baseline studies were conducted in the areas that could be influenced by the
future development of the Llama deposit (Goose Lake Property). This report presents the results from the
Lake Bathymetry, Limnology, Water and Sediment Quality Baseline Program that was carried out in 2010.
Baseline data on bathymetry, limnology, water and sediment quality was collected from five lakes in
the Llama deposit area during August 2010. The five lakes included one lake that could be directly
impacted by the Project (Llama Lake), a second lake from the same watershed (Umwelt), two lakes
from a neighbouring watershed (Mam and Chair), and a reference lake (Reference Lake B).
The reference lake was selected based on its size and drainage basin area, as well as having a greater
than 10 km buffer from the potential Project to negate any effects of dustfall from Project activities.
Bathymetric and limnological measurements showed that Umwelt and Mam lakes were relatively
shallow, clear, cold, and had the highest dissolved oxygen levels of the five lakes. Llama and Chair
lakes were deeper lakes, with slightly warmer water than Umwelt and Mam lakes, and lower levels of
dissolved oxygen. Reference Lake B had intermediate depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and water
clarity. Sufficient light for photosynthesis reached the entire benthic region in all five lakes.
Where possible, water quality was sampled at two depths (1 m and mid-depth). Overall, the water
quality concentrations were similar between depths, likely due to the lack of stratification or weak
stratification found at lake sites during the sampling period. All five lakes were oligotrophic, with low
nutrient concentrations, as is typical in Arctic and subarctic lakes. Umwelt and Llama lakes, located
within the Llama Watershed where two known deposits are located, had the highest concentrations for
most total metals, pH, conductivity, and hardness. Chair and Mam Lakes had intermediate
concentration of most metals, turbidity, and total phosphorus, but had the highest levels iron.
Reference Lake B was generally metal-poor, with low levels of conductivity and total dissolved solids,
although it did have had the highest levels of turbidity and total phosphorus.
A comparison of baseline water quality with CCME guidelines indicated that Llama and Umwelt lakes
had total copper concentrations higher than guideline values.
Sediment quality samples were collected from the five Project lakes at the same time as the limnology
and water quality samples. Where possible, sediment samples were collected from shallow, mid-, and
deep depth zones. Overall, the chemistry of the sediments was largely determined by its particle
composition. Mam, Chair, and Llama lakes all contained high proportions of silt and were naturally
enriched with several metals. Reference Lake B and Umwelt Lake sediments were largely composed of
sand-sized particles, with much lower metal concentrations. Umwelt Lake sediments were largely
nutrient-poor, with little organic material.
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2010 LAKE WATER AND SEDIMENT QUALITY BASELINE REPORT
Llama and Mam lakes had baseline sediment quality higher than the CCME Interim Sediment Quality
Guideline (ISQG) for arsenic, chromium and copper. Umwelt Lake had baseline sediment quality higher
than the CCME ISQG for arsenic and copper, while Chair Lake had baseline sediment quality higher than
the CCME ISQG for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc. Reference Lake B had baseline
sediment quality higher than the CCME ISQG for arsenic and copper. All lakes, except the reference
lake, had baseline sediment quality that exceeded the CCME Probable Effects Level (PEL) for arsenic.

ii RESCAN ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LTD. (PROJ#0833-002-03/REV C.1) FEBRUARY 2011
BACK RIVER PROJECT
2010 Lake Water and Sediment Quality Baseline Report
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
This report was prepared for Sabina Gold and Silver Corporation by Rescan Environmental Services Ltd.
This report was written by Pamela Reece (M.Sc., R.P. Bio), and was reviewed by Michael Henry (Ph.D.)
and Deborah Muggli (Ph.D., M.Sc., R.P.Bio.). Field work was conducted by Tonia Robb (Ph.D.),
Ryan Kaiyogana, Michael Soloducha (B.Sc.), and Gary Kelloguk. Dan Russel assisted with logistics and
Doug Caters managed the Goose Lake camp. Deborah Muggli (Ph.D., M.Sc., R.P.Bio.) was the Rescan
Project Manager for this project.

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2010 Lake Water and Sediment Quality Baseline Report
Table of Contents
BACK RIVER PROJECT
2010 LAKE WATER AND SEDIMENT QUALITY
BASELINE REPORT
Table of Contents

Executive Summary ........................................................................................................ i

Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... iii

Table of Contents ......................................................................................................... v

List of Figures ................................................................................................... vi

List of Tables ................................................................................................... viii

List of Plates ................................................................................................... viii

List of Appendices ............................................................................................. viii

1. Introduction .................................................................................................... 1-1

2. Methods ......................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1 Study Area ............................................................................................ 2-1

2.2 Physical Limnology .................................................................................. 2-1

2.2.1 Bathymetry Methods ...................................................................... 2-2

2.2.2 Physical Limnology ........................................................................ 2-5

2.3 Water Quality ........................................................................................ 2-5

2.3.1 Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) ..................................... 2-7

2.3.2 Principal Components Analysis .......................................................... 2-7

2.3.3 Water Quality Parameters in Relation to Guidelines ................................ 2-7

2.4 Sediment Quality .................................................................................... 2-7

2.4.1 Principal Components Analysis .......................................................... 2-9

3. Results ........................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1 Bathymetry, Limnology, and Light penetration ................................................ 3-1

3.2 Water Quality ........................................................................................ 3-1

3.2.1 Principal Components Analysis Results ................................................ 3-8

3.2.2 General Parameters and Anions ........................................................ 3-8

3.2.3 Suspended Material and Nutrients ...................................................... 3-8

3.2.4 Total and Dissolved Metals............................................................. 3-26

3.2.5 CCME Guidelines ......................................................................... 3-27

3.2.6 Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) ................................... 3-27

3.3 Sediment Quality .................................................................................. 3-27
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3.3.1 Particle Size .............................................................................. 3-29

3.3.2 Principal Components Analysis ........................................................ 3-29

3.3.3 Nutrients and Total Organic Carbon ................................................. 3-29

3.3.4 Total Metals .............................................................................. 3-29

3.3.5 CCME Guidelines ......................................................................... 3-38

4. Summary ........................................................................................................ 4-1
References ............................................................................................................... R-1
List of Figures
FIGURE PAGE

Figure 1-1. General Back River Project Location Map ........................................................... 1-2

Figure 2.1-1. Back River Project Sampling Locations, August 2010 ........................................... 2-3

Figure 3.1-1. Llama Lake Bathymetry and Sampling Locations, August 2010 ................................ 3-2

Figure 3.1-2. Umwelt Lake Bathymetry and Sampling Locations, August 2010 .............................. 3-3

Figure 3.1-3. Mam Lake Bathymetry and Sampling Locations, August 2010 ................................. 3-4

Figure 3.1-4. Chair Lake Bathymetry and Sampling Locations, August 2010 ................................. 3-5

Figure 3.1-5. Reference Lake B Bathymetry and Sampling Locations, August 2010 ........................ 3-6

Figure 3.1-6. Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Profiles, Back River Project, August 2010 ............ 3-7

Figure 3.2-1. Principal Component Analysis of Back River Project Water Quality Sites ................... 3-9
Figure 3.2-2. Hardness and Total Alkalinity Concentrations in the Lakes of the Back River Project

Area, August 2010.................................................................................... 3-10

Figure 3.2-3. pH and Conductivity in the Lakes of the Back River Project Area, August 2010 ......... 3-11
Figure 3.2-4. Total Dissolved Solids and Sulphate Concentrations in the Lakes of the Back River

Project Area, August 2010 .......................................................................... 3-12
Figure 3.2-5. Turbidity and Total Suspended Solids in the Lakes of the Back River Project Area,

August 2010 ........................................................................................... 3-13
Figure 3.2-6. Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen and Ammonia Nitrogen Concentrations in the Lakes of the

Back River Project Area, August 2010 ........................................................... 3-14
Figure 3.2-7. Total Organic Carbon and Total Phosphorus Concentration in the Lakes of the Back

River Project Area, August 2010 .................................................................. 3-15
Figure 3.2-8. Total and Dissolved Aluminum Concentrations in the Lakes of the Back River

Project Area, August 2010 ......................................................................... 3-16
Figure 3.2-9. Total and Dissolved Arsenic Concentrations in the Lakes of the Back River Project

Area, August 2010 ................................................................................... 3-17
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Figure 3.2-10. Total and Dissolved Cadmium Concentrations in the Lakes of the Back River

Project Area, August 2010 ........................................................................ 3-18
Figure 3.2-11. Total and Dissolved Chromium Concentrations in the Lakes of the Back River

Project Area, August 2010 ........................................................................ 3-19
Figure 3.2-12. Total and Dissolved Copper Concentrations in the Lakes of the Back River Project

Area, August 2010 .................................................................................. 3-20
Figure 3.2-13. Total and Dissolved Iron Concentrations in the Lakes of the Back River Project

Area, August 2010 .................................................................................. 3-21
Figure 3.2-14. Total and Dissolved Lead Concentrations in the Lakes of the Back River Project

Area, August 2010 .................................................................................. 3-22
Figure 3.2-15. Total and Dissolved Manganese Concentrations in the Lakes of the Back River

Project Area, August 2010 ........................................................................ 3-23
Figure 3.2-16. Total and Dissolved Nickel Concentrations in the Lakes of the Back River Project

Area, August 2010 .................................................................................. 3-24
Figure 3.2-17. Total and Dissolved Zinc Concentrations in the Lakes of the Back River Project

Area, August 2010 .................................................................................. 3-25
Figure 3.3-1. Sediment Particle Size Distribution for Lakes of the Back River Project Area,

August 2010 ........................................................................................... 3-30
Figure 3.3-2. Principal Component Analysis of Sediment Quality Data for Lakes of the Back River

Project Area, August 2010. ........................................................................ 3-31
Figure 3.3-3. Percent Total Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen (by LECO) in Lake Sediments from

Lakes of the Back River Project Area, August 2010 ........................................... 3-32
Figure 3.3-4. Available Phosphate Concentrations in Lake Sediments in the Back River Project

Area, August 2010 ................................................................................... 3-33
Figure 3.3-5. Arsenic and Cadmium Concentrations in Lake Sediments of the Back River Project

Area, August 2010 ................................................................................... 3-34
Figure 3.3-6. Chromium and Copper Concentrations in Lake Sediments in the Back River Project

Area, August 2010 ................................................................................... 3-35
Figure 3.3-7. Lead and Mercury Concentrations in Lake Sediments in the Back River Project Area,

August 2010 ........................................................................................... 3-36
Figure 3.3-8. Zinc Concentrations in Lake Sediments in the Back River Project Area, August 2010 .. 3-37
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List of Tables
TABLE PAGE
Table 2.1-1. Sample Location, Samples Collected, and Rationale for Lakes Sampled as Part of the

Back River Project Baseline Study, August 2010 ................................................. 2-1
Table 2.3-1. Water Quality Parameters and Method Detection Limits, Back River Project,

August 2010 ............................................................................................. 2-6
Table 2.4-1. Sediment Quality Parameters and Method Detection Limits, Back River Project,

August 2010 ............................................................................................. 2-8

Table 3.1-1. Lake Characteristics and Euphotic Zone Depth, Back River Project, 2010 .................. 3-1
Table 3.2-1. Lake Water Quality, Samples Which Exceed CCME Guidelines, Back River Project,

August 2010 ........................................................................................... 3-28
Table 3.3-1. Lake Sediment Quality, Percent of Samples in which Concentrations are Higher

than CCME Guidelines, Back River Project, August 2010 ...................................... 3-39
Table 3.3-2. Lake Sediment Quality, Factor by which Average Concentrations are Higher than

CCME Guidelines, Back River Project, August 2010 ............................................ 3-40
Table 4-1. Summary of Back River Project Lake Characteristics............................................... 4-1
List of Plates
PLATE PAGE
Plate 2.1-1. Back River Project study area lakes: a) Llama Lake, b) Mam Lake, c) Umwelt Lake,

and d) Reference Lake B. .............................................................................. 2-2

Plate 2.4-1. Sediment sample from the shallow depth zone of Chair Lake, August 2010. ................ 2-9
List of Appendices
Appendix 1. Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Profiles from the Back River Project Study Lakes,
August 2010
Appendix 2. Water Quality Data from the Back River Project Study Lakes, August 2010
Appendix 3. Sediment Quality Data from the Back River Project Study Lakes, August 2010

viii RESCAN ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LTD. (PROJ#0833-002-03/REV C.1) FEBRUARY 2011
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2010 Lake Water and Sediment Quality Baseline Report
1. Introduction