Environmental monitoring of the abandoned Wolverine Mine is being stepped up following the detection of heightened contaminant levels following a suspected leak at the siteSA国际影视传媒檚 tailings storage facility.
The mine operated from 2009 to 2015 when it was abandoned by its operator, Yukon Zinc Corp. The territorial government has been in charge at the site and conducting environmental monitoring since then.
According to a Nov. 26 notice from the territorial governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 energy, mines and resources department, contaminants were recently detected in water flowing through pipes beneath the tailings facility. Water from those pipes discharges to the environment. Elevated levels of zinc, cadmium, selenium and cyanide were identified. Per the territorial government notice, the zinc levels detected exceeded the federal effluent regulations for metal and diamond mining.
Energy, mines and resources spokesperson John Thompson clarified that the detection came from water quality samples taken on Oct. 18, 2024. The results were delivered to the government on Nov. 1 and analysis was completed Nov. 6. It was concluded that both the federal regulations and effluent discharge standards for the site had been exceeded.
The Nov. 26 government notice states that additional samples taken Nov. 6, both from the discharge pipes and downstream passed acute toxicity tests meaning there is no immediate risk of harm to human or aquatic life.
In the notice, the government pledges enhanced monitoring based on the information already collected.
Also detailed in the notice about the contaminants are plans for a two-year water treatment project aimed to lower water levels in the tailing facility, allowing for a search for the leak that may be behind the recent contamination. The notice states that it is hoped the plan will commence in the spring of 2025 but it hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 received legislative approval yet. The legislature doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 sit again until March 2025.
The government notice states that the Ross River Dena Council and Liard First Nation have been informed and interim mitigation measures are being considered.
Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com
