Teck Coal Ltd. hit with $221K fine for multiple unauthorized waste discharges in southeastern B.C.
In a recent development, Teck Coal Ltd., now operating as Elk Valley Resources, has been slapped with a hefty fine of nearly $221,000 by the B.C. Ministry of Environment. The penalty comes as a consequence of the company’s involvement in nearly 30 instances of discharging waste into the environment without proper authorization at its Elkview operations near Sparwood, B.C.
The Ministry of Environment’s report indicated that Teck Coal Ltd. was fully aware that the discharges of process slurry were unauthorized, yet failed to take adequate measures to prevent them. The waste material contained harmful substances that posed a threat to the health of humans and aquatic life, as stated in a separate penalty assessment document.
The larger penalty of $168,750 pertains to 27 separate occasions of unauthorized waste discharges that occurred between February 2021 and November 2022, totaling over 109,000 liters. Despite the volumes discharged, the ministry reported that these incidents had minimal environmental impact, limited to the area surrounding the Elkview operations pit and Coal Processing Plant.
On the other hand, the second penalty amounting to $52,000 covers two incidents where mining waste made its way into nearby creeks supporting animal life. The report highlighted that these spillages led to the contamination of Otto Creek with approximately 1,000 liters of slurry and Goddard Creek with around 10,500 liters, surpassing guidelines for sulphide and selenium levels.
According to the investigation, equipment failures were identified as the primary cause of the unauthorized waste discharges. Teck Coal assured CBC News that they have taken corrective actions to prevent further incidents and have managed to clean up the spills in question.
This isn’t the first time that Teck Coal’s operations have come under scrutiny for unauthorized waste disposals. In a similar incident two years ago, the company faced penalties close to $200,000 for multiple discharges in 2020. Moreover, Teck Coal has encountered significant fines for water contamination in B.C. over the years and is currently engaged in legal battles following allegations of dumping harmful substances into fish-populated waters in southeastern B.C.
As the company navigates these challenges, it remains to be seen whether Elk Valley Resources will contest the penalties within the designated 30-day window. CBC News Vancouver reporter, Alex Nguyen, has been closely following this unfolding story and welcomes any
In a recent development, Teck Coal Ltd., now operating as Elk Valley Resources, has been slapped with a hefty fine of nearly $221,000 by the B.C. Ministry of Environment. The penalty comes as a consequence of the company’s involvement in nearly 30 instances of discharging waste into the environment without proper authorization at its Elkview operations near Sparwood, B.C.
The Ministry of Environment’s report indicated that Teck Coal Ltd. was fully aware that the discharges of process slurry were unauthorized, yet failed to take adequate measures to prevent them. The waste material contained harmful substances that posed a threat to the health of humans and aquatic life, as stated in a separate penalty assessment document.
The larger penalty of $168,750 pertains to 27 separate occasions of unauthorized waste discharges that occurred between February 2021 and November 2022, totaling over 109,000 liters. Despite the volumes discharged, the ministry reported that these incidents had minimal environmental impact, limited to the area surrounding the Elkview operations pit and Coal Processing Plant.
On the other hand, the second penalty amounting to $52,000 covers two incidents where mining waste made its way into nearby creeks supporting animal life. The report highlighted that these spillages led to the contamination of Otto Creek with approximately 1,000 liters of slurry and Goddard Creek with around 10,500 liters, surpassing guidelines for sulphide and selenium levels.
According to the investigation, equipment failures were identified as the primary cause of the unauthorized waste discharges. Teck Coal assured CBC News that they have taken corrective actions to prevent further incidents and have managed to clean up the spills in question.
This isn’t the first time that Teck Coal’s operations have come under scrutiny for unauthorized waste disposals. In a similar incident two years ago, the company faced penalties close to $200,000 for multiple discharges in 2020. Moreover, Teck Coal has encountered significant fines for water contamination in B.C. over the years and is currently engaged in legal battles following allegations of dumping harmful substances into fish-populated waters in southeastern B.C.
As the company navigates these challenges, it remains to be seen whether Elk Valley Resources will contest the penalties within the designated 30-day window. CBC News Vancouver reporter, Alex Nguyen, has been closely following this unfolding story and welcomes any
