| Wed, 04/08/2026 - 16:02 by Anonymous Have added the follow up report to this spill that was received via email. It is advising that the site was re-visited August 24, 28 and 29, 2020 to characterize the site. (Carey, Answerplus) |
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| This is the published revision. |
| Fri, 09/04/2020 - 12:59 by HamiltonCSR (email sent twice with same details)
Sent by Email
September 4, 2020
NT/NU Spill Line
TEL: (867) 920-8130
FAX: (867) 873-6924
EMAIL: spills@gov.nt.ca
Re: Spill #2020-255 – Release of Drill Water at Boston Exploration Project, NU - Follow-up
Report
On August 5, 2020, the Nunavut Spill Line was notified via email (spills@gov.nt.ca) of a
release of an estimated 12m3 of drill water at the TMAC Resources Inc. (TMAC) Boston
Exploration Project site (spill location coordinates: 67º39’10” 106º22’44”). This follow-up
report provides supplemental information based on the results of the incident
investigation.
Incident Summary and Root Cause
An exploration drilling program occurring at the site in November 2019 was abruptly
evacuated due to a failed power generator. As a result the drilling equipment and drill
site was left abandoned.
On June 24, 2020, while conducting a site inspection of the Boston Exploration Project a
localized area (~2,500 m2) of the tundra was discovered to have drill cuttings and burns
to vegetation due to a spill of drill water containing calcium chloride. A brine mixture is
often used in arctic exploration drilling to prevent the drilling rods from freezing up within
the permafrost. This is meant to be a closed loop system so that spent water and drill
cuttings can be recovered.
TMAC and Geotech personnel routinely conduct pre, mid and post drill site inspections
to confirm compliance with TMAC environmental, health and safety policies. Upon
review of these inspection forms and associated images it was apparent that in the area
of the tundra burn, the drill casing was leaking, allowing for drill water and cuttings to
escape the system. A buildup of ice was noted in the inspection forms, but this
information was not relayed to Supervision nor was it associated with a leaking drill casing.
A total of 37.5m3 of freshwater was used for drilling at this drill hole, 32m3 of this water was
mixed with calcium chloride to create a brine solution. An estimated 12m3 leaked from
the system. The spill occurred approximately 300 meters away from the nearest water
2
body.
An incident investigation was conducted soon after the spill was discovered to determine
the root cause. The investigation concluded that the leaking drill casing was the source
of the spill, with the following contributing root causes:
Driller did not have experience in the arctic and was not instructed on arctic
drilling best practice;
The drill supervisor did not closely monitor the drilling activity and did not instruct
the driller to monitor for, resolve or report a leaking drill casing;
Inadequate assessment of the risk and situation;
Inadequate planning for the drill program.
Response, Corrective and Preventative Actions
The drill setup was decommissioned and removed allowing for access to the majority of
the drill cuttings and initial site reclamation. Drill cuttings were carefully removed with
equipment and by hand excavation to minimize further damage to the tundra. Peat
moss was placed in areas where the drill cuttings were removed and coco matting was
placed on the immediately impacted area to prevent any erosion.
Aerial photos were collected of the site to determine the extent of the impacted area.
A soil sampling program was also conducted to determine the horizontal and vertical
extent of soil contamination. Sample results are pending.
As a result of the investigation, corrective and preventative actions were identified to
reduce the potential of a reoccurrence:
Ensure that diamond drillers and supervisors are familiar with the required best
practices and that their crews are also properly trained;
Update rig inspections to include photos sent immediately to TMAC and Geotech
supervisors to document risks and coordinate required action;
More thorough program planning and preparation. Proper selection of personnel
for challenging or remote surface drilling;
Update drill site inspection forms and SOPs to more thoroughly identify potential
leaks and casing issues.
TMAC will provide a subsequent follow-up report summarizing field observations and
analytical results of soil sampling program as well as details regarding a monitoring plan
for the impacted area.
3
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this submission, please do not
hesitate to contact me at enviro@tmacresources.com. |
|
| | |
| Fri, 09/04/2020 - 12:59 by HamiltonCSR (email sent twice with same details)
Sent by Email
September 4, 2020
NT/NU Spill Line
TEL: (867) 920-8130
FAX: (867) 873-6924
EMAIL: spills@gov.nt.ca
Re: Spill #2020-255 – Release of Drill Water at Boston Exploration Project, NU - Follow-up
Report
On August 5, 2020, the Nunavut Spill Line was notified via email (spills@gov.nt.ca) of a
release of an estimated 12m3 of drill water at the TMAC Resources Inc. (TMAC) Boston
Exploration Project site (spill location coordinates: 67º39’10” 106º22’44”). This follow-up
report provides supplemental information based on the results of the incident
investigation.
Incident Summary and Root Cause
An exploration drilling program occurring at the site in November 2019 was abruptly
evacuated due to a failed power generator. As a result the drilling equipment and drill
site was left abandoned.
On June 24, 2020, while conducting a site inspection of the Boston Exploration Project a
localized area (~2,500 m2) of the tundra was discovered to have drill cuttings and burns
to vegetation due to a spill of drill water containing calcium chloride. A brine mixture is
often used in arctic exploration drilling to prevent the drilling rods from freezing up within
the permafrost. This is meant to be a closed loop system so that spent water and drill
cuttings can be recovered.
TMAC and Geotech personnel routinely conduct pre, mid and post drill site inspections
to confirm compliance with TMAC environmental, health and safety policies. Upon
review of these inspection forms and associated images it was apparent that in the area
of the tundra burn, the drill casing was leaking, allowing for drill water and cuttings to
escape the system. A buildup of ice was noted in the inspection forms, but this
information was not relayed to Supervision nor was it associated with a leaking drill casing.
A total of 37.5m3 of freshwater was used for drilling at this drill hole, 32m3 of this water was
mixed with calcium chloride to create a brine solution. An estimated 12m3 leaked from
the system. The spill occurred approximately 300 meters away from the nearest water
2
body.
An incident investigation was conducted soon after the spill was discovered to determine
the root cause. The investigation concluded that the leaking drill casing was the source
of the spill, with the following contributing root causes:
Driller did not have experience in the arctic and was not instructed on arctic
drilling best practice;
The drill supervisor did not closely monitor the drilling activity and did not instruct
the driller to monitor for, resolve or report a leaking drill casing;
Inadequate assessment of the risk and situation;
Inadequate planning for the drill program.
Response, Corrective and Preventative Actions
The drill setup was decommissioned and removed allowing for access to the majority of
the drill cuttings and initial site reclamation. Drill cuttings were carefully removed with
equipment and by hand excavation to minimize further damage to the tundra. Peat
moss was placed in areas where the drill cuttings were removed and coco matting was
placed on the immediately impacted area to prevent any erosion.
Aerial photos were collected of the site to determine the extent of the impacted area.
A soil sampling program was also conducted to determine the horizontal and vertical
extent of soil contamination. Sample results are pending.
As a result of the investigation, corrective and preventative actions were identified to
reduce the potential of a reoccurrence:
Ensure that diamond drillers and supervisors are familiar with the required best
practices and that their crews are also properly trained;
Update rig inspections to include photos sent immediately to TMAC and Geotech
supervisors to document risks and coordinate required action;
More thorough program planning and preparation. Proper selection of personnel
for challenging or remote surface drilling;
Update drill site inspection forms and SOPs to more thoroughly identify potential
leaks and casing issues.
TMAC will provide a subsequent follow-up report summarizing field observations and
analytical results of soil sampling program as well as details regarding a monitoring plan
for the impacted area.
3
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this submission, please do not
hesitate to contact me at enviro@tmacresources.com. |
|
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