AER Suspends Directive 074: Tailings Performance Criteria and Requirements for Oil Sands Mining Schemes

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - March 13, 2015) - In response to the Government of Alberta's release of the Tailings Management Framework for Mineable Athabasca Oil Sands, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has suspended Directive 074: Tailings Performance Criteria and Requirements for Oil Sands Mining Schemes.

"The AER must conduct a thorough analysis of the new tailings management framework to determine its impacts on how we regulate oil sands tailings," said AER President and CEO Jim Ellis. "The suspension of Directive 074 will ensure that we are not enforcing requirements that are no longer applicable as a result of new direction provided by the framework."

All other AER requirements relating to oil sands mining, including tailings management, remain in place. Operators must also meet all applicable legislative requirements. The AER expects all oil sands mine operators to continue to proactively manage their fluid tailings volumes while it develops new requirements to achieve the outcomes of the framework.

The AER will announce how it plans to implement the new framework by April 10, 2015.

The Alberta Energy Regulator ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of hydrocarbon resources over their entire life cycle. This includes allocating and conserving water resources, managing public lands, and protecting the environment while providing economic benefits for all Albertans.

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The Alberta Energy Regulator has suspended Directive 074 while it conducts a detailed review of the Government of Alberta╩╝s Tailings Management Framework for Mineable Athabasca Oil Sands.