VANCOUVER — Teck Metals says it accepts full responsibility for a spill of mercury into the Columbia River in Trail, B.C.
The discharge occurred Oct. 7, 2010, just weeks after leachate from Teck's lead and zinc smelting operation overflowed into Stoney Creek, near the company's huge operation in southeastern B.C.
A lengthy investigation under the Fisheries Act and the Environmental Management Act ended with a series of recommendations aimed at ensuring a similar thing doesn't happen again.
The company has now agreed to pay $325,000 in compensation for the two spills.
Several community and environmental groups in the Trail area will share the cash.
Teck says it has also taken steps to avoid future incidents, including proceeding with the second phase of an $8.3-million effluent spill reduction program.
Copyright © 2011 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment