Mine train replacements & relocations
Syncrude operates five mine trains on its active leases, four of which will be replaced or relocated by the end of 2014 to sustain a stable, efficient foundation for future bitumen production.  The relocations and rebuilds are necessary to support mine development advances and for the placement of consolidated tailings in pit. 

Plans are in place to coordinate these efforts such that production should not be affected.

Mildred Lake Mine Replacement
At Syncrude's Mildred Lake mine site, the two existing mine trains will be dismantled and new mine trains will be constructed at a new location. The construction of these mine trains will incorporate Syncrude's new wet crushing technology, which is expected to improve bitumen recovery and lower maintenance requirements.

Aurora North Mine Relocation
At the Aurora North mine site, there are three mine trains. These mine trains were designed to be moveable and two will be relocated; the third train will not need to be relocated. This is a much less capital intensive process than the new mine train construction required at Mildred Lake where the older, more permanent design does not allow a similar equipment move.

Aurora North Tailings Management
The Aurora North tailings management project involves the construction of a composite tails (CT) plant at Syncrude’s Aurora North mine. A similar plant already operates at the Mildred Lake mine. It is part of Syncrude’s government-regulated tailings plan to manage tailings for eventual reclamation as its mines mature. A CT plant mixes mature fine tailings with gypsum and coarse tailings sand to transform the mature fine tailings into solid material suitable for reclamation.

Centrifuge Tailings Management
Syncrude has piloted centrifuge technology, compared it to alternative methods for processing tailings, and believes centrifuge technology is an effective solution for meeting the requirements of its plan for tailings management. Centrifuge technology produces a soft, clay-rich soil that can be used in Syncrude's reclamation efforts.

*  The estimated % complete is based on hours spent as a % of total forecasted hours to project completion.

Syncrude has a multi-pronged approach to managing its tailings which includes water capping in addition to CT and centrifuge. See Tailings Management for more information on Syncrude’s plan to manage tailings.

Syncrude continues to work with other oil sands operators as part of the Canadian Oil Sands Innovation Alliance ("COSIA") to research and develop tailings management technologies.