History of Giant Mine
Gold was first discovered in the Yellowknife greenstone belt in 1935. Over the more than 50 years of operation, the Giant Mine produced over seven million ounces of gold and contributed significantly to the economic viability of the City of Yellowknife and the territory.
Royal Oak Mines Inc. operated the Giant Mine from 1990 to 1999, until they entered into receivership in April 1999. In December 1999, a court ordered the transfer of the Giant Mine property from the interim receiver to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) on behalf of the federal Crown.
When CIRNAC became responsible for the Giant Mine site, they continued to care and maintain the existing infrastructure on the site. CIRNAC also inherited the environmental liability related to the arsenic trioxide dust stored underground, and the surface components of the site. And the plan to address the risks and liabilities at the site would be carried out via the Giant Mine Remediation Project.
For further information please visit: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100027364/1617815941649