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

Press Release

March 5, 2025

The court-appointed Receiver for Victoria Gold Corp. has reported an unauthorized discharge of cyanide impacted water to enforcement and regulatory agencies. A pipe leak was identified on February 17. Repair measures were put in place right away. At the time of the leak, it was believed that the impacted water was fully contained within a lined sump and so was not immediately reported. It is now estimated that 150 cubic metres of this water may have been released into the environment.

Water quality data collected at Haggart Creek on February 17 and 18 shows elevated cyanide, cobalt, copper and nitrite in samples collected at monitoring stations close to the mine site, suggesting that some of the water that leaked from the pipe was released into the environment. These results show high values, above any previously reported results. Water quality samples are taken in this area daily. Subsequent water quality monitoring in the same area shows levels of cyanide and other contaminants returned to previous levels within two days. This suggests the cause to be an isolated incident. Despite the short period of elevated contamination, any level of cyanide above the British Columbia acute aquatic life guidelines can have harmful effects on fish.

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

The Receiver has also recently completed construction of a settling pond at the Eagle Gold Mine site. This is the final component of the mine water treatment process and represents a significant milestone.

Initial water quality tests on site indicate that the mine water treatment process is functioning as expected. Further testing is underway this week to confirm that treated water does not exceed licensed limits prior to direct discharge to Haggart Creek.

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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