Victoria Gold’s Eagle Mine in Yukon is grappling with a severe environmental crisis as groundwater at the site shows dangerously high levels of cyanide contamination. While much of the contaminated water is being contained on-site, concerns are growing about the potential spread and impact on surrounding ecosystems.
Containment Efforts and Environmental Impact
Officials from the Yukon Department of Environment revealed alarming results from water tests conducted near the Lower Dublin South Pond at the Eagle Mine. According to senior groundwater scientist Brendan Mulligan, the concentration of weak acid dissociable (WAD) cyanide is 10,000 times greater than the acceptable long-term water quality guidelines for aquatic life. “The contaminated groundwater at these locations is being collected and contained on-site,” Mulligan assured.
This revelation follows a significant incident at the Eagle Mine, where a heap leach pad failure caused a landslide, releasing 4 million tonnes of material, including between 280,000 and 300,000 cubic meters of cyanide-containing solution. This environmental disaster has sent shockwaves through the industry and led to a sharp decline in Victoria Gold’s share price, which plummeted by more than 85% in late June.
No Immediate Threat to Drinking Water
Despite the severity of the contamination, Yukon’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Sudit Ranade, confirmed that regulated drinking water systems are not currently at risk. However, the government is taking no chances. Contractors have been hired to build a berm to protect groundwater wells from further contamination.
In a related development, a discharge of water from the mine’s treatment plant last Friday resulted in the discovery of 68 dead fish in Haggart Creek, including Arctic grayling and sculpin. The discharge was halted immediately after the fish were found. Senior fisheries biologist Cameron Sinclair noted that the fish deaths were likely due to the discharge, not direct cyanide contamination, adding that cyanide does not bioaccumulate, reducing the risk to other wildlife.
Ongoing Monitoring and Future Actions
The Yukon government has ordered Victoria Gold to submit lab results proving compliance with water license criteria before any further discharges can occur. Meanwhile, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has been informed and may lead an investigation into the fish deaths, along with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
The Yukon Environment Department has launched a wildlife surveillance program to monitor potential heavy metal contamination following the Eagle accident. Unlike cyanide, heavy metals can accumulate in the environment over time, posing a long-term threat. Hunters in game management zones north of Mayo have been asked to collect tissue and bone samples from animals to test for heavy metals.
The situation at the Eagle Mine underscores the ongoing challenges in balancing resource extraction with environmental protection. As the investigation continues, the pressure is mounting on Victoria Gold to address the contamination and prevent further environmental damage.
Source: Mining.com
