Miramar Fined $90,000 for Cyanide-laced Water Spills

April 8, 2004

A Canadian judge has fined the owner of the Con gold mine $90,000 for allowing cyanide-contaminated water to seep into the environment.

Vancouver-based Miramar Mining Corp. pleaded guilty in January to two counts under the Northwest Territories Waters Act for the environmental violations in 2002 in Yellowknife.

Three other charges were withdrawn. In one case, Miramar reported itself for discharging contaminated water from its water treatment plant. In the other, the company allowed contaminated water to seep out of its Taylor Road dam.

Court heard the seepage occurred on a weekend when no one was staffing a lab where water samples are tested. Enough water was released to fill 80 swimming pools.

A federal inspector later found cyanide levels in samples from the plant exceeded the maximum allowable level.

A Crown prosecutor said there was no measurable effect on the environment, but acknowledged the spill could have been avoided if different procedures had been followed.

Judge Michel Bourassa said the company must show more care with dangerous chemicals.

Miramar now has staff available to do testing at any time.

In 1996, the company was fined $50,000 for releasing cyanide-contaminated water.

Source: The Canadian Press

Sponsored Recommendations

Blower Package Integration

March 20, 2024
See how an integrated blower package can save you time, money, and energy, in a wastewater treatment system. With package integration, you have a completely integrated blower ...

Strut Comparison Chart

March 12, 2024
Conduit support systems are an integral part of construction infrastructure. Compare steel, aluminum and fiberglass strut support systems.

Energy Efficient System Design for WWTPs

Feb. 7, 2024
System splitting with adaptive control reduces electrical, maintenance, and initial investment costs.

Blower Isentropic Efficiency Explained

Feb. 7, 2024
Learn more about isentropic efficiency and specific performance as they relate to blowers.