Yukon court fines Keno Hill mine over environmental hazards
The miner received a “substantial” fee of C$100,000
Yukon's territorial court fined the Keno Hill silver project in central Yukon, Canada, with C$100,000 for violating its operating licenses and creating environmental risks, Canadian public broadcaster CBC reported.
Miner Alexco Resource, a subsidiary of Hecla Mining, pleaded guilty to failing to properly store hazardous waste and meet the government's water quality standards.
The violations were discovered during a government inspection last year, when the investigators found, among other things, ripped bags of copper and zinc sulphate and improperly stored chemicals. Keno Hill also failed tests at its water treatment plant.
Hecla Mining acquired Alexco Resource and its 100%-owned Keno Hill project in 2022. The mine is in the Keno Hill Silver District, one of the highest-grade silver districts in the world with over 35 historical mine sites, according to Hecla.
The US-based silver miner expects Keno Hill to produce 2.7-3Moz of silver this year as the mine ramps up production.
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