As Southeast Alaskans become more concerned about mine development in British Columbia, a copper and gold mine in the Stikine River watershed is expected to start full operations next month. But an independent review of its tailings facility found issues with the design.
The review found the tailings dams for Imperial Metals’ Red Chris Mine would be stable if they are constructed properly. But it suggests Imperial should follow 22 specific recommendations before commissioning the tailings facility.
The review by engineering firm Klohn Crippen Berger was not officially made public, but it has been circulating online. Other media outlets, including The Vancouver Sun, have quoted extensively from the document.
One issue in the review is the mine’s plan to release untreated wastewater into the Stikine River watershed that is predicted to barely meet B.C. water quality standards. And the mine does not have a treatment plan in place if predictions are wrong, and water quality becomes non-compliant.
The Red Chris Mine is upriver from Wrangell and Petersburg, and Alaskans worry heavy metals in the water will affect salmon runs.
First Nation groups living near the mine are worried, too.
The Tahltan Central Council demanded an independent review after a tailings dam break at the Mount Polley Mine spilled about 2 billion gallons of silty water into a salmon-bearing river in eastern B.C.
Imperial Metals owns that mine and Red Chris. The review states a similar tailings dam break at Red Chris would have a more significant environmental impact than at Mount Polley.
Another concern addressed in the review is the high permeability of the Red Chris tailings facility foundation. The review says the design will likely succeed, but there has not been enough research into the possibility of water seeping out through the bottom of the pond.
There is also a landslide very close to the mine site that is poorly understood. The review recommends further investigation of how it could affect the mine, and vice versa.
Another major recommendation made by the review is Red Chris needs to have a detailed manual for tailings management and surveillance. The mine also lacks an emergency response plan in the event the tailings facility collapses.
Finally, the review suggests Red Chris form a review board composed of independent engineers and scientists to monitor the tailings dam.
It is unclear whether Imperial has addressed any of these concerns since the report was completed a month ago. According to a statement on Imperial’s website, the company is working with the Tahltan Central Council “to implement the recommendations contained in the review.”
Imperial Metals and the Tahltan Central Council did not respond to interview requests.
In its third quarter report, Imperial Metals states Red Chris is hooked up to hydropower and has ore stockpiled for milling. It needs one more permit—to discharge tailings into the pond—before it can be commissioned.
B.C. Mines Minister Bill Bennett says he’s considering the Tahltans’ input.
“We’re working with them to ensure that they’re satisfied with the design and construction of that tailings impoundment facility at Red Chris,” Bennett said. “And we’re not going to give the company their final permit until the Tahltan is satisfied.”
But the Tahltan First Nation is divided on the issue. A group of Tahltans calling themselves the Klabona Keepers has been protesting at Red Chris since August. Last month, they blockaded the access road and slowed construction at the mine.
Imperial Metals is trying to get a permanent injunction against the protesters. Tahltan Central Council President Chad Day says in a statement he wants to intervene in the lawsuit on Imperial’s side to oppose Klabona Keepers claims to territory near the mine.
Meanwhile, conservation groups in Alaska are asking the federal government to use the Boundary Waters Treaty to engage in mining talks with Canada.
