An investigation is underway into the release of a large volume of contaminated water at the Highland Valley copper and molybdenum mine near Logan Lake, Teck Resources Ltd. spokesman Chris Stannell said Friday.
Stannell said that freezing caused a leak in a pipeline servicing the mine’s tailings facility and the release of about 850 cubic metres of “process water” on April 8.
The spill was contained at the site, he said, adding the “safety and stability” of the mine’s tailings dam “was not affected in any way and there were no environmental impacts as a result of this incident.”
He said the containment facility operated as designed and that the water was returned to the tailings facility.
The pipeline has been taken out of service for repairs.
Reserves at Highland Valley are projected to support mining at current planned production rates until 2026.
