Suncor Energy Inc.

Category: Emerald Challenge Award: Alberta's Oil Sands. Presented by Alberta Energy

Project: Tailings Reduction Operations

Contact Information

Contact Name: Matt Leblanc

Website: http://www.suncor.com/wapisiw

The Recipient

Suncor Energy Inc.’s new Tailing Reduction Operations use new technology and management processes that are expected to reduce tailings reclamation time by up to two decades, as compared to current methods. The reduced reclamation time is attributed mainly to a new polymer flocculent that can separate fine clay particles from water in the mature fine tailings (MFT) faster than previous technology. Once separated, water can be recycled back into Suncor’s operations, and the leftover dry matter can be reclaimed in place or moved to another location for final reclamation. By speeding up the drying process, Suncor has increased their ability to process MFT from 1,500 tonnes per month (2009) to 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes per day. Processing MFT faster allows both for faster reclamation times, and also significantly reduces the need for the number of tailings ponds.

In the TROTM tailings management process, the polymer solution adheres to the clay particles in the mature fine tailings causing them to bundle together. This results in the separation of clay from the water.