— Photo by the Department of Natural Resources
A view of the tailings dam at the former Gullridge mine site as shown on an engineering analysis poster by the Department of Natural Resources
Stepping off the passing line and into the office, South Brook mayor Paul Mills gave his arms a break while he spoke with The Telegram about the potential contamination of the town’s water supply by mine waste.
The provincial Department of Environment has stated the a 50-metre-wide break in the dam holding back tailings at the old Gullbridge mine site, a shuttered copper mine about 20 kilometres from South Brook water supply.
“Our town water comes from a well, but if the water levels in the river are high enough, then there could be some cross-contamination,” Mills said. “We’re waiting for formal testing to take place.”
Residents of South Brook are being advised not to consume the water in any way until tests are completed by the provincial government. No details on the tests — what the tests are looking for or what area they will cover — has been released at this point.
“I expect it’s going to take a number of tests over a period of time before we’re given the all-clear,” Mills said.
Earlier story:
The tailings dam at the former Gullbridge mine site has collapsed, according to a news release from the departments of environment and conservation, and health and community services.
The news release states, “The area of the failure is approximately 50 metres wide and the full height of the dam.”
Residents of South Brook are being advised not to drink the water or to use it for consumption, washing food or brushing teeth, as the town’s main water supply is 20 kilometres downstream form the site. Washing clothes, handwashing, bathing and washing dishes are considered safe, but further precautions may be necessary.
A salmon river is also in the area.
Officials are sampling water on the scene and evaluating long-term repair possibilities
http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2012-12-17/article-3141752/Update%3A-Tailings-dam-collapses-at-former-Gullbridge-mine-site/1
Province responsible for mine site cleanup
Published on February 8, 2013
Whatever the decision, government is responsible for cleanup at the site.
The tailings dam at the abandoned mine failed on Dec. 17, 2012, as Marine Contractors started on work on the aging structure, under a contract with the Department of Natural Resources.
The breach released mine waste into the waters of nearby South Brook. It required response from five provincial government departments, the federal government and the Town of South Brook, located about 26 kilometres downstream from the abandoned mine.
Work on the dam was being completed under a permit issued to the Department of Natural Resources by the provincial Department of Environment.
“Any areas adversely affected by this project must be restored to a state that resembles local natural conditions,” that permit states.
It also demands work be carried out in a way that prevents the pollution of the surrounding environment.
A copy of the permit — along with communications in and out of the minister’s office about the dam failure — were obtained by The Telegram through an access to information request.
“It might be noted that having the (contracted) repairs underway enabled a quick response and the ability to ensure drinking water precautions were taken,” noted David Liverman, assistant director of the Mines branch within the Department of Natural Resources, in an email to several officials within the department the day after the dam failure.
“If it had failed (at) a time when no activity was taking place, the breach might not have been noticed for some time.”
While government was quickly made aware the tailings dam had broken open, the response was slowed by a lack of ready information.
The dam failed at 7 a.m. A public advisory noting the loss of the dam was issued jointly by the Department of Health and Department of Environment at 2 p.m. It stated residents of the town of South Brook were being advised not to drink their water, use it for cooking or otherwise consume it in any way.
The Telegram had questions but, as previously reported, little information was forthcoming.
In reality, little was known at the time, according to interdepartmental emails.
Incorrect information was included in the first public notices. For example, the first news release put the size of the breach at
50 metres wide. By the next day, it was down to 25 metres.
“I note that there are some information points that have changed, such as the size of the breach,” noted assistant deputy minister for Environment, Martin Goebel, in an email response to internal notes from Dec. 18.
http://www.thetelegram.com/Business/2013-02-08/article-3173093/Province-responsible-for-mine-site-cleanup/1
