Con Mine chemical drum found near lake not harmful, says company
Barrel found near old Yellowknife gold mine once contained a dangerous chemical used to extract ore
A rusty chemical barrel found recently along the shore of Great Slave Lake near the shuttered Con Mine likely isn't dangerous, says the mine's owners.
When a CBC employee discovered the barrel near the old Yellowknife gold mine this week, it was empty except for black material in the bottom. The label on the abandoned drum shows it once contained potassium amyl xanthate, a dangerous chemical used to extract ore.
Con Mine closed in 2003. It's currently owned by Newmont Mining Corporation and operated under Miramar Northern Mining Ltd.
Potassium amyl xanthate is a flotation agent used to help extract ore. It usually comes in a bag inside the drum.
General Manager Scott Stringer told CBC News after the chemicals were removed during mining, the drum was likely recycled and used for another purpose at the mine. It should have been disposed of at the mine's landfill.
He's not sure when or why it was left by the shore.
Stringer says the material that resembles black sand that was found in the barrel is probably activated charcoal, which is used to filter water and not harmful. It has been sent out for analysis.