The mine life cycle, from exploration to mine closure can be fast-paced and volatile, therefore careful consideration should be given to remediation planning of mine sites. Ensuring strategies are developed which are both cost effective, and appropriate to the climate and biome of which the mine site is located, are essential. Of particular concern to gold-mining operations in Northern climates are waste by-products of cyanide degradation; metal leaching (ML) and acid mine drainage (AMD); and extreme cold conditions which have potential to hamper biological processes involved in bioremediation methods.