Contaminated water from Eagle Mine will be released into the environment

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The Yukon Water Board has authorized a change to the Eagle Mine license so that water containing high concentrations of contaminants can be released into the environment.

At companies PricewaterhouseCooperswho took over the management of the mining Victoria Goldhad urgently requested this change last month, citing the risk of uncontrolled discharge due in particular to the increasing volume of contaminated water and the inability to treat it.

Work is underway at the site’s water treatment plant, as it was not designed to treat cyanide contamination.

The uncontrolled release into the environment of water contaminated by cyanide presents a risk of negative consequences for the environment and requires immediate preventive measuresindicates the Office to justify its authorization.

The toxicity of the discharged water will not be highbut it could contain a concentration of copper twice as high as well as suspended solids, cyanides dissociable by a weak acid and dissolved iron.

The Office’s authorization, which took effect on December 20, is in effect until March 15, 2025. It subjects the discharge to several conditions, including an immediate cessation if the contaminants reach levels harmful to fish.

Management of contaminated water from the mine Eagle has been monitored since last June, when 4 million tonnes of cyanide-contaminated ore spilled into the environment following the rupture of a heap leach platform.

With information from Jackie Hong