Situation
On September 30, 2009, the ERCB launched Directive 74: Tailings Performance Criteria and Requirements for Oil Sands Mining Schemes.
This evolved partly due to increasing mining activity as well as rising environmental concerns associated with tailings ponds operations. The Directive followed on the heel’s of Syncrude’s Aurora tailings pond incident when  over 1,600 ducks landed and most perished. This event rippled across the world,making negative international headlines and resulting in the largest environmental penalty in Canada, $3 million.
Solution
NEW technology to detect when wildlife, such as ducks, are approaching hazards like tailings ponds. Our solution takes the system a step above what is currently available.
 The hardware/software solution will notify operators of an approaching flock and is capable of triggering other devices like propane cannons on-site (through a digital I/O board).
This technology shifts site monitoring from a passive to a proactive operation. By preventing an incident, operators can reduce risk as well as the negative press associated with these environmental incidents.
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Benefits
- Detect approaching ducks
- Notify key personal when ducks are in the area
- Trigger other devices to prevent landing
This award winning Canadian technology provides state-of-the-art software that can determine if the images it is seeing require a real-time event notification. Once the event is detected (such as a perimeter crossing
of approaching ducks), then notification is sent to key personnel of the impending event.
The system is engineered to operate using minimal power and communications. It can integrate into existing surveillance solutions to provide the added benefit of Smart Video monitoring. Each incident is
recorded in H.264, providing time and date stamped images for regulatory review and investigation.
In addition, the cameras at the site can be remotely connected to through the internet, handhelds or through monitoring stations. This long view enables visual access to the site for any key personnel to ensure the most effective action is taken. The event alarms and remote visual access can become an important part of emergency response planning and rapid response programs.
By using this technology, oil sands producers can reduce risk while ensuring ongoing business continuity. |
