Highland Valley Copper tailings water leak under investigation

LOGAN LAKE – One week ago a frozen pipe caused a large amount of process water to leak onto the Highland Valley Copper mine site.

Teck Resources Ltd. spokesperson Chris Stannell says there's no reason to sound the alarm just yet and the safety of the tailings dam was not affected.

According to Stannell, the leak was a result of freezing temperatures on April 8 which caused a water pipeline, part of the tailings facility, to break. About 850,000 litres of process water was released, however Stannell says there is no environmental impact. He adds the water was collected by a containment system and the water was returned to the tailings facility.

The leak was reported to authorities and the pipeline is out of service until repairs are complete.

"An investigation is underway and appropriate corrective actions will be put in place," Stannell added.

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