Managing environmental legacies

Erasing the legacy of industrial operations

at the start of industrial operations, when that is possible, during the facility lifecycle, and at the end of the operating period, the soil, ground, surface and groundwater are characterized to identify any contamination related to previous or nearby operations, or to specific operations at the plant site, whether related to operating release permits or to particular incidents.

the results are compared with the country's reference criteria, when they exist, to the site’s specific background radiation level or, in some cases, to world health organization guidelines.

this analysis of site conditions is used to:

• identify any environmental impacts from our operations;
• characterize the related risks, both for human health and for biodiversity;
• recommend corrective actions when soil or ground conditions require;
• undertake remediation or monitoring.

these efforts can translate into:

• periodic monitoring of groundwater; 
• additional investigations to gain a better understanding and footprint of impacts on soil and/or water; 
• rehabilitation and/or reclamation; 
• the establishment of constraints or use restrictions at the site.

all such activities are aimed at reducing our environmental legacy, meaning erasing as much as possible the legacy of industrial operations on the environment to avoid any health effects, whether for site personnel or for the neighboring population.