Fish habitat restauration at the Louvem Mine in Val-d’Or

The Louvem Mine is a former copper mine acquired by Teck Resources. In 2010, the company wanted to reintroduce a 150-metre section of a stream into its original bed and restore the fish habitat. The work included excavating, widening the drainage channel, stabilizing banks, creating various flow patterns, adding a deep bay and developing spawning grounds and fish shelters.

Client: Teck Resources
Location: Val-d’Or, Québec

OUR EXPERTS’ SOLUTIONS

Our environment experts, Biofilia, performed biological studies and physical surveys of the study area to develop restoration designs for the receiving environment, which included restoring a drainage channel for a major watercourse as well as restoring functional aquatic habitats for fish, amphibians and generally improving its water quality. This habitat restoration was a ministerial environmental requirement tied to the mine closure. The mandate included:

  • Biophysical studies of the receiving environment:
    – Aquatic and riparian vegetation assessments
    – Studies of fish populations and their habitats
    – Aquatic macroinvertebrates sampling
    – Inventories of rare species

  • Plan and specifications design to restore and develop aquatic and riparian habitats

  • Environmental assessment and coordination of provincial authorization applications

  • Environmental monitoring and supervision during construction

IN THE WORDS OF OUR EXPERT…

“Biofilia’s leading-edge expertise in biological studies, restoration and habitat creation, as well as applications for certificates of authorization, combined with the skills of its consulting engineering partner, provided the client with efficient and cost-effective solutions.”

Vincent Clément, Director, Environment

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