Mining giant Teck Metals has been ordered to pay $2.2 million in fines related to environmental violations committed in 2019.
On February 26th, 2019, Teck employees reported a spill of low-pH effluent from their smelting and refining complex in Trail.
According to officers from Environment and Climate Change Canada, the spill discharged approximately 2.5 million litres of effluent into the Columbia River.
Much of the outflow measured at levels below pH4, the point at which it becomes harmful to local fish populations.
Federal investigators say the discharge was caused by an acidic solution leak in Warfield, and that poor due diligence by Teck worsened the spill.
In addition to the fine, the conviction has also landed the company on the Enviromental Offenders Registry.
Teck also owns the undeveloped Galore Creek project in Tahltan territory, and the on-hold Quintette Project in Tumbler Ridge.
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