TRAIL, B.C. — The operator of the giant zinc and lead smelter in Trail, B.C., says runoff water is believed to have discharged into a creek near its plant after a break in a line from a old landfill area to a treatment facility.
Teck Metals (TSX:TCK.A) says it's not known how much of the water containing metals may have emptied into Stoney Creek.
The company says the water discharged for up to 20 minutes before it was contained.
The company says regulatory authorities were immediately notified.
A Teck statement says there is no risk to human health and an assessment of potential environmental impacts will be done.
The Environment Ministry says it is looking into what happened and will release a statement later.