Arsenic-contaminated Giant Mine seen as ‘low-risk’ during N.W.T fire
Global News
A former gold mine five kilometres from Yellowknife is seen as a low fire risk amid the Northwest Territories wildfires. The mine contains over 237,000 tonnes of arsenic trioxide.
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada says the Giant Mine reclamation site within the city limits of Yellowknife is considered “low-risk” as wildfires force an evacuation of the Northwest Territories capital.
Giant Mine is Canada’s most expensive reclamation project, with a cost estimated at $4.38 billion to contain 237,000 tonnes of toxic arsenic trioxide.
“The arsenic trioxide at Giant Mine, of which the majority is stored underground, is considered low-risk,” Crown-Indigenous Relations spokesperson Jennifer Cooper said.
“Much of the remaining material on the surface is stored in drums and is located away from vegetation and is also considered low-risk.”
The former gold mine operated from 1948 to 2004. The arsenic trioxide is a byproduct of the gold roasting technique used at the mine. The toxic compound used to be released directly into the environment, and as a result some areas of Yellowknife contain high levels of arsenic.
Prior to the Yellowknife evacuation, the site crew prepared the mine for a total shutdown. This included collecting brush, clearing away construction materials and moving them to the tailings pond away from structures.
Materials from the deconstruction of the roaster, which are heavily contaminated with arsenic, are kept in locked shipping containers that are also near the tailings pond, away from vegetation.
Arsenic trioxide is highly toxic and releases toxic fumes if burned, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.