Contaminated water to be released from Yukon mine site before spring snow melt
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/02/2025 (405 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
WHITEHORSE – The Yukon government says contaminated water from the Eagle Gold Mine, the site of a catastrophic mine failure last June, is now being discharged ahead of the spring snow melt.
The government says in an update on the failure in the heap leach storage facility that the receiver appointed to oversee the site believes it’s “critical” to start the release to prevent cyanide-tainted water leaking out in an uncontrolled way.
The update says the water’s copper levels are “not fully compliant” with both federal regulations or the site’s water licence.
It says the receiver, PricewaterhouseCoopers, is building a “settling pond” to deal with the copper-laced water and once finished, the discharged water is “expected to meet all required conditions.”
The Yukon government says about 3,000 cubic metres of water will be released each day until the new pond is ready, and it’s the “safest option” in order to manage water levels as snow begins to melt in the spring.
The update says a leak from a containment pond at the site reported in late December caused cyanide, cobalt, chloride and nickel levels rise in nearby Haggart Creek, which “may negatively impact fish health in the downstream environment”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2025.