The main elements of the proposed expansion include:
Ore preparation and extraction
- A rotary breaker
- An ore conditioning and hydrotransport pipeline;
- Expansion of the existing ore rejects handling system;
- A primary separation cell
- A de-aerator
- A tailings thickener
- A additional tailings disposal lines.
Bitumen solvent recovery
- An additional solvent recovery unit for removing excess diluent from the diluted bitumen prior topipeline shipment will be installed
Froth Treatment Tailings Solvent Recovery (TSRU)
- The TSRU capacity will be expanded to meet the increased throughput associated with the MRM expansion.
Tailings management
- The capacity of the existing external tailings disposal area will be increased by raising the elevation by 10m. The tailings area footprint will be extended to the south to incorporate additional coarse sand storage.
- The tailings management system will be consistent with that currently being applied at the existing Muskeg River Mine. The combined, course and fine tailings, will be initially pipelined for placement in the external tailings disposal area. As mined areas become available, non-segregating tailings will be directly disposed in-pit.
Utilities
- Selective expansion of the existing utility and infrastructure systems
- Additional pumping capacity of the existing Athabasca River pump house.
- Additional boiler capacity for steam generation.
- A new potable water treatment system to treat Athabasca River water.
- Expansion of mine maintenance facilities and administration buildings.
Additional bridge infrastructure across the Muskeg River will be required that will include a haul truck bridge for overburden and ore transport, and an additional two bridges for ore conveyors and tailings pipelines located adjacent to the existing Muskeg River bridge crossing.
