Sudbury wants abandoned mines cleaned up, re-purposed

The city is hoping grants and tax incentives will generate interest in some of Greater Sudbury's abandoned mines.

Staff told councillors Monday night there are at least 10 old mines currentlyrotting away with little prospect of being rehabilitated.

City planner Jason Ferrigan said many of the sites are contaminated and could cost millions to clean up.

"The presence of the mine hazards and the possibility of environmental contamination are deterring new investment on these properties," he said.

Tax breaks and grants from the city may be enough to see new mines open up or some other kind of industrial business move in, Ferrigan noted.

One of the old mine sites is owned by the city. The Kidd Copper Mine, in the Whitefish area, closed nearly 30 years ago.

While new mines have to come with a closure plan, laying out how the company will clean-up when the mine closes, no one is responsible for rehabilitating older sites.

"Let's be smart about what we're encouraging on those sites," Ferrigan said.

"And let's make sure that we're encouraging new uses that will deliver a significant, net [and] new economic impact on the community."

Council voted to extend tax breaks and grants currently available for abandoned commercial and industrial lands and to mine sites.