WHITEHORSE, YT – The Yukon Government says a pipe leak on February 17th at the Eagle Gold Mine has resulted in cyanide containing water leaking into the local environment. Experts estimate up to 150 cubic meters of cyanide contaminated water may have been released during the incident.
Water Quality testing conducted on February 17th and 18th show that elevated cyanide, cobalt, copper and nitrite had been detected close to the mine site, with the Government noting that these results show the highest concentration of contaminates associated with the site to date. Levels had returned to the usual amounts within two days, taken as a sign that the leak was an isolated incident.
The Government confirmed that while the leak had occurred on February 17th, with immediate action taken by the Receiver to fix it, the leak itself was not immediately reported to the Yukon Water Board as it was initially believed to have been contained. However, the Government adds, enforcement agencies were on site and had been made aware of the incident.
This article has been updated with more details on how the leak was reported.
