Latest news with #bitumen
CBC
5 days ago
- General
- CBC
Appeal launched by CNRL in tailings pond bird deaths rejected by Alberta regulator
Social Sharing Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. has lost its appeal against a $278,000 fine it faced for the death of hundreds of birds at a northern Alberta mine. Alberta Energy Regulator confirmed its administrative penalty against the Calgary-based oilsands operator for failing to destroy an island that formed inside one of its tailings ponds, in a decision issued last week. The penalty stems from a 2022 incident at CNRL's Horizon mine, about 60 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, Alta., when hundreds of gulls were coated with bitumen and died. The regulator dismissed the company's claims that the fine should be reduced and reaffirmed that the major oilsands operator had failed in its regulatory duty to protect birds from the bitumen-contaminated waters. The incident is among a string of high-profile bird deaths in the vast expanse of tailings ponds within Alberta's oilsands, incidents that have prompted rigid regulatory measures aimed at protecting bird species from their toxic waters. The incident happened in spring of 2022 when workers discovered birds on the island in an area known as Tar River Valley on the north side of the Horizon mine. The island had taken shape the previous spring, at the centre of a tailings pond, and re-emerged the following year. Despite hazing attempts by CNRL staff, the small stretch of land soon became a nesting site for colonies of birds. By May 21, 2022, CNRL workers counted a single Canada goose nest and 271 California gull nests along its beaches. The emergence of the island and the presence of nests were reported to the regulator in June, but the regulator was told that there was no immediate threat to the birds. Within weeks, the regulator was informed of the first deaths. On July 12, the company discovered about 60 to 70 oiled California gull chicks on site. By the end of summer, more than 400 California gulls died from exposure to the contaminated water. The situation continued until Aug. 4, when the surviving chicks, which had hatched in the tailings pond, were old enough to fly away. The island was destroyed that September. A contested timeline CNRL was convicted last year of a single count under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. The contravention against CNRL had been deemed "major" due to the length of time the company left wildlife exposed to the danger and the company's lack of due diligence in responding to the problems. The operator launched an appeal in February, a legal claim that contested the timeline of the contravention. The Calgary-based operator took responsibility for the bird deaths but took issue with how the penalty had been calculated. CNRL argued the fine should be reduced to $46,750. The company's argument was based on a narrow interpretation of Section 155 of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. Lawyers for the company contended that a violation only occurred on the 13 days when birds were actually found oiled, not the 76 days from when the nests were first discovered. CNRL also argued that portions of the penalty were beyond the two-year statue of limitations for such charges. The AER hearing panel rejected the company's appeal, writing that it was "not convinced" by the company's legal arguments. AER said the contravention was a continuous one. The panel found that Section 155 is intended to be interpreted broadly, meaning the contravention began when CNRL failed to ensure the hazardous substance would not come into contact with wildlife, not just when the contact occurred. The panel also ruled that the penalty was issued within the two-year limitation period, as the contravention continued until the last day the birds were present. Ultimately, the panel concluded that the penalty was appropriate and dismissed the appeal. The regulator noted that the fine had already been reduced in earlier conversations with company officials, based on efforts CNRL had made to mitigate similar incidents in the future. "We are not persuaded that the circumstances of this contravention, including response actions taken by Canadian Natural, merit further reductions to the penalty," the decision reads. "We believe that the re-emergence of the island in 2022 and Canadian Natural's failure to remove it before birds nested on it in May 2022 were the key elements of this contravention, as indicated in the notice of administrative penalty, and that this stands against any further reduction of the penalty. "The penalty is appropriate and should not be changed."
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Bitumen & Logistics: Paving the Way for a Connected Future, Global Leaders to Gather in Dubai This August
Rex Fuels Global Expo & Conference 2025 to explore the powerful partnership between bitumen and logistics, shaping the next era of infrastructure DUBAI, DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, August 11, 2025 / / -- Bitumen is the backbone of modern infrastructure, but without logistics, it is merely potential locked in place. From refinery gates to construction sites, it is logistics that gives bitumen its reach, its pace, and its impact. Together, they form the twin engines of the road-building world, driving economies, connecting communities, and shaping the skylines of tomorrow. This powerful synergy will be in sharp focus at the Rex Fuels Global Expo & Conference 2025, taking place on 18th and 19th August at the Conrad Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. The two-day event will bring together 500+ delegates from over 30 countries, including industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and supply chain specialists. Why Bitumen Needs Logistics and Vice Versa Bitumen is a material of promise. But it is also a material that mandates control. It must be stored at specific temperatures, transported with care, and delivered on time. Logistics is the enabler that ensures every drop of bitumen reaches its destination with its quality intact and its performance uncompromised. In this strategic alliance: • Timeliness is not just a convenience; it's mission-critical. A delayed shipment can halt an entire highway project. • Efficiency is not just about lowering cost; it is the silent force that keeps infrastructure projects within the spectrum and schedule. • Quality control is not a luxury; it's a non-negotiable standard, upheld by temperature sensors, insulated tankers, and a precision-driven supply chain. An Industry Poised for Transformation The partnership between bitumen and logistics is no longer about moving material from point A to point B. It is about growing together to meet new realities: • Climate goals are propelling the industry toward low-emission transportation and sustainable repository approaches. • Technology is driving smarter, more connected supply chains from blockchain documentation to AI-driven route optimisation. • Geopolitical shifts and regulatory frameworks are altering the rules of cross-border movement and energy trade. Infrastructure demands are also rising rapidly, notably in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, where mega projects are reshaping entire landscapes. In this context, bitumen producers and logistics providers can no longer operate in silos; collaboration is paramount for acceleration, scalability, and sustainability. Inside Rex Fuels Global Expo & Conference 2025 This year's 16th edition of the Rex Fuels Global Expo & Conference arrives at a pivotal moment when global trade corridors are shifting, and the bitumen-logistics matrix is being reimagined for a more sustainable, interconnected future. As both a catalyst for fresh ideas and a crucible for global partnerships, the conference will feature: • Unlocking Opportunities: A deep dive into the potential for a Global Bitumen Exchange, exploring how translucence, efficiency, and digital innovation can reshape procurement and pricing models across continents. • Middle East–Asia Price Arbitrage: Sessions decoding evolving cargo flows, freight dynamics, and the strategic clout offered by cross-regional price differentials. • Sustainable Innovation in Road Construction: Spotlighting low-emission practices, recycled materials, and bio-bitumen technologies that are redefining bitumen application and demand. • Infrastructure Trends & Their Ripple Effect: Adept discussions examining how mega-infrastructure projects from smart highways to energy corridors are impacting the entire bitumen value chain, from refining to final-mile delivery. Attendees will include: 1. Bitumen producers and refiners 2. Logistics and transport companies 3. Traders, terminal operators, and storage solution providers 4. Government infrastructure agencies Why It Matters Now More Than Ever? Bitumen without logistics is potential without momentum. Logistics without bitumen is movement without purpose. Together, they don't just lay roads; they lay the footing for modern economies. With the infrastructure landscape becoming more globalised, digitised, and sustainability-driven, the need for a tightly integrated, future-ready bitumen logistics ecosystem has never been more urgent. At Rex Fuels Global Expo & Conference 2025, industry leaders will come together to co-create that ecosystem through dialogue, collaboration, and innovation. Join the Movement. Be the Future. Dubai awaits. On August 18th and 19th, the world's top minds and market leaders in bitumen and logistics will congregate in the UAE's most dynamic business hub. Whether you're looking to forge new trade routes, explore avant-garde handling technologies, or align with international standards for sustainable infrastructure, this is where the next chapter begins. Don't just witness the change, be part of the conversation! Savita Kamble Rex Fuels Management Pvt Ltd +91 9167279047 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
South China Morning Post
10-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong authorities confirm bitumen in water in Sai Wan Ho private estate
Hong Kong authorities have confirmed the presence of bitumen in water samples from a private estate in Sai Wan Ho, with the substance believed to have originated from upstream water supply pipe work. In a reply to the Post on Thursday, the Water Supplies Department said it conducted tests on water samples after receiving isolated reports from the management office of Grand Promenade in Sai Wan Ho about black particles in drinking water. The department noted that the water samples collected from the affected flats and the internal water supply system of the buildings, including storage tanks, were found to have complied with the city's drinking water standards. 'However, a small amount of black particulate sediment was found in the water samples. Preliminary analysis after testing suggests they are bitumen,' the spokesman said. 'We suspect these particulates originated from the public water main works upstream of the supply system, stirred up during the process of restarting the pumping system after the completion of the works.' Bitumen, a substance banned for use in pipes laid after 2005, was found recently in the drinking water supply at Queens Hill Estate in Fanling. Authorities said the sediments are likely residual materials that flowed into the estate pipes from an upstream steel pipe three years ago. The department's remarks came a day after a lawmaker received complaints about the black particles in the water. A resident also uploaded a photo of a bowl of water with black substances on social media earlier this week.
South China Morning Post
09-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Fresh case of bitumen in water supply for Hong Kong housing, lawmaker says
Hong Kong authorities have provided temporary tanks and vowed to improve the pipes for thousands of households in Sai Wan Ho after bitumen particles were found in water supply samples, according to a lawmaker and the management of a housing estate. Advertisement Lawmaker Edward Leung Hei said on Wednesday that he had also received complaints about particles in the water from some residents at the Grand Promenade and Lei King Wan estates, which are home to about 2,000 and 2,300 households respectively. 'The Water Supplies Department responded very quickly after receiving the call for help from the residents of Grand Promenade,' he said. 'It immediately took water samples for testing. The results showed that a small amount of black bitumen sediment particles were found in the water samples. The particles were also very small, and the situation is not as serious as those in the Queen's Hill water pipes.' He was referring to bitumen, a substance banned for use in pipes, being found recently in the drinking water supply at Queens Hill Estate. Authorities had stressed that the water remained safe to drink. Advertisement Leung said the department suspected that the particles in the latest cases had come from upstream and were related to a public water pipes project.
BBC News
29-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Fox 'coated in bitumen' walks after four weeks at Essex hospital
A fox cub that got covered in bitumen and then stuck to a road surface is healthy and walking again after four weeks of from South Essex Wildlife Hospital rushed to the rescue after the cub was pulled from a container of bitumen by workers on an industrial estate in north-east London last took more than 30 minutes to free each of the cub's legs after it stuck fast to the of his legs required surgery, but the hospital said the fox was now running around with no sign of a limp, and they were hoping for a full recovery soon. Bitumen is made from crude oil and is mostly used as a binder in the time of the rescue, the hospital said the fox's plight was "one of the most horrific cases we've seen in the 35-plus years of wildlife rescue".It took several days and many bottles of baby oil and WD-40 to clean the tar-like substance from its fur. However, after a great deal of care and an operation, the hospital posted on its Facebook page and said the fox was on the mend."It's been four weeks since the surgery to fix his leg (after all the work needed to remove the bitumen from his fur) and we're delighted to say that everything seems to be healing perfectly," it wrote."He is now so confident on the leg that he can run around his pen without any sign of a limp."They added that while it had taken a lot of work to nurse him back to health, "he now has a bright future ahead of him". "He still needs to recover from some muscle loss, but we are very confident that he will be 100% fixed very soon," they the cub is deemed ready, it will be released back into the wild. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
