The left in Yukon's Eagle Gold Mine leads to Schadwirtspike

Since it is reported on the completion of the last piece of a water treatment system, it will be able to return the treated water from the Eagle Gold -Mine location to the environment, the recipient responsible for the location has also recognized a fresh leak that leads to contamination that has exceeded the “previously reported results”.

According to a announcement by the Yukon government of March 5, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, the responsible recipient, identified a leaky pipe on February 17 and repaired them. The leak was not immediately reported, as was assumed to be included, but further investigations showed that estimated 150 cubic meters (or 150,000 liters) escaped contaminated water. The recipient was for the Mine of the Victoria Gold Corp. Commissioned by a court decision of 2024 that aims to repair damage caused by a landslide that injured the pile of the mine in which cyanide was used to extract gold.

The results of water tests carried out in Haggart Creek that flows from the mining area on the day of the leak and the following day values ​​of cyanide, cobalt, copper and nitrite higher than all previously reported announcement in the past monitoring according to the state communication.

On February 17, two surveillance stations showed cyanide of more than 0.1850 milligrams per liter of water. On this day, the cobalt results at these stations exceeded 40 micrograms per liter. Nitrite nitrogen levels were increased to 0.04 milligrams per liter. Mercury mirror of 0.085 micrograms per liter were observed at one station on February 17, but were higher the day before and exceeded over 0.1 micrograms per liter in the week before the leak.

According to the government's monitoring data, the levels for all of these contaminants have routinely exceeded the goals of water quality for months

“The subsequent monitoring of the water quality in the same area shows cyanide levels and other contaminants that have returned to previous values ​​within two days. This indicates the cause of being an isolated incident. Despite the short time of increased contamination, any cyanide level can have harmful effects on fish above the acute lifespan of British Columbia, ”says the message on March 5.

While the effects of the leak of February 17, the recipient has announced the completion of a dispatch, which is described as the final part of the water treatment system for the mining area. According to the territorial government, initial water quality tests show a water treatment function as expected, but further tests are completed before the water is released.

Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com