Air

Monitoring & Surveillance

Tacora monitors air emissions through both stack emissions testing and ambient air monitoring. Stack emissions testing is conducted by collecting samples from point sources at the Mine. Data collected from stack emissions testing is used to develop air dispersion models to estimate potential ground-level concentrations at nearby locations. Ambient air monitoring is used to evaluate the efficacy of mitigative measures and to ensure continued protection of regional air quality and the local environment.

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Tacora operates two ambient air quality monitoring (AQM) stations in the Town of Wabush: one on Bond Street near the Provincial Court building and another on Cabot Drive near the J. R. Smallwood school. Three parameters are measured at the air quality monitoring stations: sulfur dioxide (SO₂), total suspended particulate (TSP), and particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5). The methodology for calculating 24-hour particulate concentrations was updated in 2023 with the implementation of continuous particulate monitoring instruments. Under the revised approach, 24-hour concentrations are now reported as rolling averages, updated on an hourly basis, rather than being calculated based on fixed calendar days.

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Compliance

Air emissions from the Mine are regulated under Tacora's Certificate of Approval (CofA) from the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment and Climate Change. The CofA specifies ambient air and stack emission testing programs, guidelines, dispersion modelling and reporting requirements. Monitoring results are reported to the NLDECC on an annual basis.  They also have 24-hour access to Tacora’s data.

• Particulate matter refers to the particles and aerosols present in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. The TSP instrument measures all particles suspended in the atmosphere, although it is typically limited to particulate matter less than 44 microns.
• Particulate larger than 10 microns (µm) are generally considered a nuisance rather than a health concern.  
• The PM2.5 instrument measures particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (<2.5 µm). PM2.5 poses significant health risks due to its ability to penetrate deeply into the lungs. These fine particles tend to remain suspended in the air for long periods, increasing the potential for inhalation.
• SO₂ levels are directly related to the concentration of sulfur in fuel and the quantity of fuel being combusted. The SO₂ analyzer measures low level SO₂ in the ambient air.

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The 24-hour Newfoundland and Labrador Air Quality Standard (NL AQS) for PM2.5 was exceeded for a continuous 23-hour period on July 13-14 at both the Bond Street monitoring station (Provincial AQM station) and the Cabot Drive monitoring station (JRS AQM station). This exceedance was attributed to smoke from forest fires in the Labrador City area.

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The 24-hour PM2.5 NL AQS was exceeded for a 6-hour period on August 12-13 at the JRS AQM station. PM2.5 concentrations exceeded the 24-hour NL AQS for 71 consecutive hours from August 15-17 at the JRS AQM station. The 24-hour NL AQS for PM2.5 was exceeded for a 76 hour-period at the Provincial AQM station. The PM2.5 exceedances in August were attributed to the long-range transport of wildfire smoke originating from Western Canada.

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The 24-hour NL AQS for TSP was exceeded over a 21-hour period from November 14-15 at the Provincial AQM station. This exceedance was linked to fugitive dust events associated with regional mining activities.

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