Yukon gov't inspectors find violations at Hecla Mining's Keno Hill project

Yukon mine inspectors found a series of problems at the Hecla Mining Company's Keno Hill property, according to a recent report.

Inspectors raised a number of concerns, including sediment runoff from tailings facilities, poor storage of hazardous materials, hydrocarbon stains on the ground, and discharged water that was toxic to fish.

"When you say are there lots of infractions found, well, I can tell you there's 11 different pieces of legislation, all kinds of rules that have to be followed, and we do everything we can to help our companies comply with those requirements," said Will Tewnion who's with Yukon's department Energy, Mines and Resources.

"We've identified the infractions, and we're working with the company toward compliance."

The inspection report is based on a visit to the underground silver mine by two natural resources officers on June 27. 

The report describes concerns with the dry stack tailings facility (DSTF) at the mine, where piles of toxic tailings were slumping, and erosion channels were visible in the material. 

"The ditches and sumps used for directing run off water from the DSTF were full of sediment. Sediment runoff from the DSTF appeared to leave containment on the southern slope facing the Mill," the report reads.

The inspectors also pointed to improper handling of hazardous materials at the mine, such as bags of copper sulfate and zinc sulfate — both corrosive, "acutely toxic," and environmentally hazardous — that were being stored out in the open, or had spilled and were mixing together. Sulphuric acid was also being stored outside and uncovered, in violation of the mine's hazardous materials management plan. 

At the mine's Bermingham deposit — one of five deposits at the mine site — discharged water was found to have failed the "96-hour Rainbow Trout LC50 test," meaning the water samples killed 100 per cent of rainbow trout fry within 24 hours.

The report also describes several new vehicles stored at the mine site, some of which had full drip trays spilling onto the ground. There were also "several" hydrocarbon stains visible on the ground, it says.

The report, posted online on July 18 by the Yukon Water Board, includes notes indicating that the company has since addressed some of the violations, while others are still under investigation or subject to "discussions" with the company. 

Idaho-based Hecla, which also operates mines in Alaska, Quebec and Idaho, says it produces more than 45 per cent of all silver in the U.S. The company declined an interview with CBC News about the Keno Hill inspection report, but company spokesperson Mike Satre provided a brief comment by email.

"Hecla is committed to environmental excellence at all of its operations, including Keno Hill.  We always seek to continuously improve our operations and will address all deficiencies," he wrote.

Lewis Rifkind, a mining analyst with the Yukon Conservation Society, said his organization has "serious concerns" about the recent inspection report.

He highlighted the rainbow trout test as a particular concern.

"Basically, water is going through water treatment, but it's not meeting the standards that the water licence dictates it should — and is then being discharged into the receiving environment."

He questions whether the Yukon government is being tough enough with mining companies, to ensure they abide by their licence requirements. He points to some issues highlighted in Hecla's June inspection report that were apparently not new — such as spilled copper sulphate that had been noted by inspectors in April, and still not properly cleaned up months later.

Rifkind says he's not reassured when government officials say they're working with companies on compliance.

"I think it's time for [Energy, Mines and Resources] to be, you know, a bit more strict with these mining companies. You know, they are the inspector. They are the enforcer. They are the heavy in the room," he said.

"If a mining company is not following the rules of its various licences, throw the book at them, fine them, charge them, make them protect the environment."