The Alberta Energy Regulator has scheduled a public hearing for January 22, 2019 to discuss Syncrude’s expansion of their Mildred Lake mine.
Syncrude spokesperson Will Gibson told MyMcMurray they announced the project in October 2012, two years before they even applied for it so they could have the time to consult with affect stakeholders, address questions and identify opportunities to mitigate environmental impacts.
Gibson explained that despite the Mildred Lake Extension, or MLX Project, Syncrude would still be able to progressively reclaim the land in the area.
“We’re going to continue to use the same existing equipment, the same mine train, the same tailings pond,” said Gibson. “So that’s why it makes sense from our perspective for this project to go ahead.”
The MLX Project will still increase Syncrude’s existing footprint at Mildred lake by 38 per cent and will maintain the current production capacity of 350,000 barrels of oil per day.
The present Mildred Lake Mine is expected to approach its end of its oilsands deposit around 2023, at which time MLX will replace the supply of bitumen for Syncrude’s upgrading operations.
