Quote:
Originally Posted by Igottago
Can you tell me, as an expert of the industry, what the real environmental impacts of the oilsands are? Are there any at all?
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Obviously there are environmental costs. The first tailings ponds from the 60's will be completely reclaimed by the end of this year. Its taken this long for the technology to come around. Most of the processes recycle 90% of the water now. At least the project I'm on does. We draw water from a saline aquifer and use very little fresh. Mind you this is a SAGD job and not a mining project. I don't like the mining method, its the most costly from an environmental standpoint. We are making inroads and all the mines and tailings ponds will be reclaimed. There are plenty of other industries that destroy the enviroment but dont get the same press. Mining, pupl and paper, even just logging in general. Drive around your home province and tell me the logging industry hasnt scarred the landscape.