According to the Yukon government water is no longer being discharged from the Victoria Gold Eagle Mine water treatment plant following the discovery of dead fish in Haggart Creek.
This is the first time dead fish have been reported in the creek since a June 24 landslide that compromised the mine’s heap leach facility.
An Aug. 6 notice from the Yukon government notes that the fish were found by mine personnel and stored for analysis on Aug. 2. No fish deaths have been observed since.
“Activities, other than fishing, that result in the death of fish are prohibited under the federal Fisheries Act, which is enforced by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans,” the statement reads.
“The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is aware of the situation and has ordered Victoria Gold Corporation to implement mitigation efforts following this event. Over the weekend, under instruction from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Victoria Gold Corporation constructed a series of fish barriers in various locations along Haggart Creek, upstream and downstream of the discharge location.”
The government states that more information on water quality will be provided when the test results from the daily samples taken in the area come back from the lab.
“Yukoners are watching an environmental disaster play out in real-time. They’ve been told Vic Gold has stopped discharging contaminated water into Haggart Creek, but it’s a matter of time before this happens again, given that Vic Gold doesn’t have the capacity or the wherewithal to treat or store water at Eagle Mine. The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun has called on the Yukon Liberals to step in, so when will they?” said Yukon NDP Leader Kate White in a statement sent to the News.
Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com
