A tailings spill has been reported at another B.C. mine, but officials don’t believe there’s any risk of groundwater contamination.
The Ministry of Environment said between 16 and 20 cubic metres of slurry spilled out of a leaking valve Monday night at the New Afton mine outside Kamloops.
Officials said the slurry spilled into a dry ditch on the property, however, and that no waterways were affected.
Julie Taylor, spokeswoman for mine owner New Gold, said the slurry is non-toxic and crews are already at work cleaning up the mess.
“There was no risk to people or the environment. Everything was contained on our property,” Taylor said.
Officials said the slurry contained gold and copper. New Gold has promised to excavate the spilled material and contaminated soil, according to the Ministry of Environment.
A government spokesman couldn’t confirm whether ministry personnel had visited the spill site.
The Imperial Metals tailings pond breach at Mount Polley last month released 17 million cubic metres of water and seven million cubic metres of slurry into the environment.
