National

Elevated Levels Of Chemical Elements Near Breached B.c. Tailings Pond

The Canadian Press , 30 Aug, 2014 12:26 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. - Elevated levels of seven chemical elements have been found by B.C. government staff in the sediment near a mine tailings spill.

The Ministry of Environment says copper, iron, manganese, arsenic, silver, selenium and vanadium were found in concentrations that exceeded provincial standards during testing near the Mount Polley mine Aug. 12 and Aug. 15.

The early August failure of the mine's tailings pond released millions of cubic metres of water and silt into local fish-bearing streams.

But the ministry says testing before the spill, at the end of May, also showed the seven chemical elements exceeded the same provincial guidelines.

Interior Health will continue to monitor testing results for potential long-term health risks, and the agency continues to advise local residents not to drink cloudy water.

Mine owner Imperial Metals (TSX:III) is responsible for cleaning up the spill, and several investigations are examining the causes of the breach.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Report makes five recommendations in wake of July labour force survey error

A report into an error in the July jobs report by Statistics Canada has made five recommendations to prevent future mistakes, including improved governance, testing protocols and diagnostics.

Report makes five recommendations in wake of July labour force survey error

Booze-Fuelled Fracas Forces Cuba-Bound Flight To Turn Back; Two Women Charged

A booze-fuelled fight between two women who were allegedly drinking and smoking in an airplane bathroom prompted Sunwing to turn a Cuba-bound flight back to Toronto, the airline said — along with a brief military jet escort.

Booze-Fuelled Fracas Forces Cuba-Bound Flight To Turn Back; Two Women Charged

Regulator asks telecoms to come up with a plan for dealing with paper bill fees

Telecom industry heavyweights were meeting Thursday to figure out what to do about the fees they impose on consumers who want to receive paper bills instead of on-line invoices.

Regulator asks telecoms to come up with a plan for dealing with paper bill fees

Man accused of stabbing 5 people to death in Calgary faces another delay

A psychiatric assessment for a man accused of stabbing five young people to death at a house party in Calgary has been done but the final report is not yet complete.

Man accused of stabbing 5 people to death in Calgary faces another delay

Trudeau 50 years late on shale gas, New Brunswick Premier David Alward says

Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is a half century behind when he says there should be greater scientific study before the shale gas industry expands, Premier David Alward said Thursday.

Trudeau 50 years late on shale gas, New Brunswick Premier David Alward says

Christy Clark says talk about the Constitution won't happen at premiers meeting

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark says there's little chance Canada's premiers will talk about bringing Quebec into the Constitution at their annual meeting in Charlottetown.