Aurora College might need to keep looking for a new spot for its next campus, as the GNWT has found enough concentrations of arsenic and other metals at Tin Can Hill to exceed contaminated site remediation guidelines.

The post-secondary institution, which is slated to become a polytechnic university, has been looking for a spot for its North Slave campus. A portion of the hill has previously been identified as a preferred location.

"Arsenic in the soil at the site of the proposed campus would currently pose an unacceptable health risk for students living in the proposed student housing and children up to five years old attending the proposed daycare more than three days a week," the GNWT states, even while acknowledging that its findings are "moderately uncertain" and the risks have likely been overestimated.

It adds that non-resident students, staff, children five years or older and visitors would be safe. The same goes for the public, so long as they aren't there for recreation for more than two days per week.

But that's if nothing was done to remediate the site, explained Robin Ferguson, director of facilities and properties with the Department of Infrastructure. With some cleanup, there's a solid chance arsenic concentrations could be brought down, he said. No associated cost estimate was provided.

The total cost for the Tin Can Hill assessment, however, came in at $164,600, Ferguson added, an amount borne by the territorial government.

The GNWT collected 37 soil samples from across the site and five additional samples were taken from the Old Con Mine Road. Of those samples, it found high arsenic levels in four of five Old Con Mine Road samples, and in 10 of the other 37 tests across the site.

"Elevated arsenic levels were identified along the border of the site, with the highest concentrations along the southwest edge," reads the GNWT's assessment. "Elevated metals concentrations of antimony, barium, boron, cobalt, copper, selenium, vanadium and zinc were also found."

These results are in line with past assessments in the area, the report added.

The portion of Tin Can Hill being considered is currently owned by the city. As part of a transfer of land, an environmental site assessment is required to determine whether there are any liabilities or risks, the GNWT explained.

Aurora College has not yet decided whether to pursue Tin Can Hill as its campus site, said Angela James, president of Aurora College, adding the school and the GNWT will continue to collaborate on next steps.