The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
North of 60 Mining News - July 12, 2024
Aftermath of the landslide from the heap leach failure at Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold mine, taken on July 3.
The collapse of the heap leach pad at Victoria Gold Corp.'s Eagle Gold mine has significantly shifted Yukon's environmental and political landscape. Recent updates from the Yukon Energy, Mines and Resource Minister John Streicker July 11 provided new details on the extent of the impact and outlined urgent measures being taken to address the fallout from the incident.
On June 24, Victoria Gold reported a collapse of the heap leach pad at its Eagle Gold Mine in Yukon, Canada.
The collapse was later detailed as a multi-bench failure that resulted in a slide of cyanide-saturated ore material down the hillside. Immediate measures were taken to prevent potential contamination leaving the site, including constructing containment dams and initiating comprehensive water quality monitoring.
Following the incident, both Victoria Gold and the Yukon Department of Energy, Mines, and Resources confirmed that no workers were injured. Initial responses focused on assessing the structural damage and environmental impact.
By June 26, government and company officials had begun coordinating efforts to manage the situation, including monitoring water quality to detect any cyanide contamination, a key concern given the heap leach process used at the mine.
On June 28, the Yukon government hosted the first of a series of weekly technical briefings to address the ongoing investigations into the incident.
During the briefing, officials provided updates on those immediate actions taken to contain and assess the extent of damages.
Toward the end of the briefing, a representative of the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun in attendance voiced concerns about the potential long-term environmental impacts, particularly the risk of cyanide contamination affecting their lands and waterways.
He conveyed that the First Nation felt significant dismay and anger over the incident, emphasizing the necessity for urgent and robust responses beyond temporary measures to address the profound impact on their community and traditional territory.
The involvement of the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun is crucial due to the Eagle Gold Mine's location within its traditional lands. The First Nation's government is based in Mayo, roughly 85 kilometers (53 miles) south of the mine.
The traditional territory spans over 160,000 square kilometers (61,776 square miles), covering significant portions of the Yukon Territory, including the areas directly affected by the heap leach pad collapse.
The environmental health of these lands is vital to the community, as they depend on the land and water for cultural, economic, and subsistence activities.
Due to the unknown extent of damages, on July 3, the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun called for a pause of all mining activity in their traditional territory.
"We have been sounding the alarm for decades on the need for sustainable development and responsible mining. The integrity of our lands, people and ecosystems are our top priority," said Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Chief Dawna Hope. "There must be an independent investigation and review immediately to understand environmental impacts from this disaster. All mining activity must pause until there is a land use plan that limits development and includes rigorous oversight and enforcement of mining and industrial operations on our Territory."
While operations at Victoria have already been halted by the company itself, this decision directly impacts Hecla Mining Company's Keno Hill Silver Mine.
Whether this affects mineral exploration companies not at the production stage and residing within the First Nations' territory remains to be seen.
According to APTN News, the publication asked the Yukon government about First Nation concerns and call for a halt to mining. In an email statement, the territory did not address the request for a moratorium but said it "remains committed" to working with the First Nation.
"Our top priority in the immediate term is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of people and the environment," the statement said.
On July 4, the Yukon government reported elevated levels of cyanide were found in a creek sample collected downstream from Eagle.
Minister Streicker revealed in a press conference that a sample taken at the bottom of the slide at the mine contained 8.58 milligrams per liter (8.58 parts per million) cyanide, significantly exceeding the permitted level of 0.005 mg per liter (0.005 ppm).
A sample from nearby Haggart Creek, the primary concern, indicated a cyanide presence of 0.04 mg per liter (0.04 ppm).
Yukon's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Sudit Ranade, advised the public to avoid the creek and refrain from recreational use of its water as a precaution. Ranade assured that the creek's water is not a drinking source, and tests from the regulated drinking water system downstream showed no cyanide presence.
Victoria Gold has reported that although operations have halted, 60 workers remain on-site to focus on water treatment activities.
The company stated that surface water quality sampling downstream has not detected cyanide. Despite these efforts, the company reported it is facing significant financial pressure, as it has received notices of default from its lenders under a credit agreement.
"Our government remains committed to the safety of people, the environment, and our way of life," Minister Streicker stated. "On Friday, July 5, the Government of Yukon's Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, as the territory's mining enforcement body, issued an inspector's direction due to the heap leach facility failure. We believe that a danger to the environment may reasonably be expected to result from the adverse effects of that failure."
Under this directive, the territorial government is requiring Victoria Gold to implement several critical measures to protect Yukon's lands and waters. These measures include:
• Installation of groundwater interception lines in Dublin Gulch to manage water flow, including groundwater, below the slide in placer tailings.
• Stabilization of the slide area beneath the heap leach embankment.
• Expansion of surface water and groundwater monitoring to assess and manage impacted areas.
• Development of a comprehensive water treatment plan.
Further, each of these points has specific timelines emphasizing the urgency of the work.
Additionally, on Wednesday, July 10, an inspector's direction was issued, mandating the company to immediately increase its water storage capacity on site.
Technical experts from the Government of Yukon are collaborating with experts from the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun to coordinate efforts. Minister Streicker expressed appreciation for the expertise and professionalism of these individuals and emphasized the importance of this collaboration.
"The Government of Yukon will continue to provide regular updates for media and the public," said Streicker. "We all care deeply about these lands and waters, and we know how important it is for Yukoners to understand the impacts of the heap leach failure. We will continue to communicate openly and transparently with Yukoners about this important issue."
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