Roughly 40,000 litres of waste water containing arsenic has spilled at the Giant Mine site in Yellowknife earlier this month.
Although there are no immediate impacts to the surrounding area, Meghan Housley, senior communications officer for the Giant Mine Remediation Project says a final and more detailed report is expected within 30 days of the incident.
The spill occurred on Sept 3, for what a report describes is due to a malfunctioning valve used to release air from a pump system. The pump ran for four hours before it was discovered.
The spill is said to be contained to a gravel pad and is expected to re-enter the mine pool.
“During the investigation, no standing water or runoff was observed in the area and as such are confident that the mine water did not reach the low-lying area or the further Shot Lake,” reads a report.
Parsons Inc, the main construction management company for the site is responsible for replacing the valve, clean up efforts and investigating the exact cause of the incident as well as outlining preventative measures.
“There is no plan to monitor or otherwise address any potential soil contamination around the pump house and arsenic is the primary parameter of concern,” reads the initial report.
Erik Nissen, inspector and resource manager for Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada has requested water samples from both the nearby wetland and Shot Lake. In addition to photos of the site and answers to the impacts on possible fish in the area.
More to come as the situation develops.
