Government of Yukon provides update on heap leach failure at Eagle Gold Mine

Press Release

February 13, 2025

Keeping with the commitment to communicate openly and transparently about the aftermath of the heap leach failure at the Eagle Gold Mine, the Government of Yukon is informing the public that the Receiver for Victoria Gold Corp., appointed by the court to oversee remediation work at the mine site, has advised the Government of Yukon and other stakeholders of their intention to begin discharging water which began yesterday to proactively prepare for the spring snowmelt.

There is a limit to how much water can be treated on a daily basis and technical advisors working with the Receiver have advised that it is necessary to begin the process of discharging water now to ensure there is enough storage during spring melt. This is critical to avoid the uncontrolled discharge of untreated water containing cyanide.

Currently, discharged water has elevated levels of total copper and is not fully compliant with federal regulations or the site’s amended water licence. The water being discharged is in compliance with the cyanide requirements. Work is underway by the Receiver to build a settling pond to reduce copper in the treated water to reach licensed limits. In the coming weeks, once the settling pond is completed, water discharge is expected to meet all required conditions.

The Receiver plans to release up to approximately 3,000 cubic metres of water per day – just over one Olympic-sized swimming pool’s worth of water – until the settling pond is available for use. This action is considered the safest option currently available to ensure water levels on site remain at manageable levels during the spring snow melt.

Daily water samples are being collected and a comprehensive environmental monitoring program is underway. The Government of Yukon will continue to provide information on the Receiver’s activities on site.

Water quality update

Separate from the recent discharge event, water quality monitoring downstream of the mine site now indicates that contaminated water flowing from the suspected leak in the newly constructed containment pond is entering Haggart Creek. Water quality data following the suspected containment pond leak shows contaminants, such as cyanide, cobalt, chloride and nickel have increased in Haggart Creek since the suspected leak. These contaminants may negatively impact fish health in the downstream environment where exceedances above aquatic life guidelines are found, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring of water quality and fish health downstream of the site.

Information about the suspected leak was reported to the Government of Yukon and relevant stakeholders on December 28, 2024, by the Receiver. Information about the suspected leak was shared publicly by the Government of Yukon on January 3, 2025.

Water quality data showing trends since the heap leach failure is available at yukon.ca/environmental-monitoring.

The next technical briefing will be held by the Government of Yukon on February 18, 2025.

Quick facts

• In response to the June 24, 2024, heap leach failure at the Eagle Gold Mine, the Government of Yukon has implemented several measures to address environmental and safety concerns, including regular water quality and environmental monitoring, engagement with First Nations and stakeholders, continued public communications and successfully petitioning for a court-appointed Receiver to manage the site.
• Water quality data from January 19 to 30, 2025, shows the combined impact of the suspected containment pond leak and ongoing groundwater contamination that continues to enter the waterway from the original heap leach failure. Recent data indicates cyanide levels above the BC acute aquatic life guideline of 0.010 mg/L, reaching up to 0.021 mg/L.

Media contact

John Thompson
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-332-6042
john.thompson@yukon.ca

Kyle Nightingale
Communications, Environment
867-334-5922
kyle.nightingale@yukon.ca

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