A preliminary site investigation was carried out when waste was found, followed by a supplementary investigation to clarify the extent of the contamination. Most of it could be left in place beneath the planned building, which the environmental authority approved, so the building was piled before remediation began. On the first day of remediation cyanide was suspected in the waste, which rapid analyses confirmed. The authority then required all cyanide within the development area to be removed.
We drew up a work environment plan so that the cyanide-contaminated soil could be removed safely, without risk to those working on the project or in the surrounding buildings. Workers wore gas detectors, and more were mounted around the site. All waste containing cyanide was excavated and disposed of as hazardous waste at Sysav, work made harder by some 40 driven piles within the remediation area. Soil and groundwater were sampled throughout. The site is now home to a power plant that recovers heat from the wastewater.