High Levels of Cyanide Found in Groundwater at Eagle Gold Mine in Yukon
The Yukon government reports that groundwater samples at the location of a mine’s ore containment facility failure in June still show elevated levels of cyanide.
A recent update from the Yukon government indicates that tests conducted at Dublin Gulch below the slide at the Eagle Gold mine have also detected metals like cobalt, copper, mercury, nickel, silver, and selenium in the groundwater.
Although the form of mercury found in the groundwater is deemed to have a low potential for bioaccumulation in fish and wildlife tissues, the tests highlight the necessity for additional measures to safeguard the surrounding environment near the mine.
These protective measures involve the installation of multiple planned groundwater interception wells below a safety berm that is currently 30 percent complete, with work on three wells already underway.
The failure of the ore containment facility in June resulted in the release of millions of tonnes of cyanide-contaminated rock.
Despite the mine owner, Victoria Gold, being in receivership, the Yukon government assures regular communication with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun downstream, noting that current mercury levels in the nearby Haggart Creek do not present an increased health risk to residents.
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