After reports of spills at Copper Mountain Mine were shared with the public, the mining company says there is no risk to the public or wildlife.
Sara Pearson, media relations with Copper Mountain's owner Hudbay Minerals, confirmed in an emailed statement on June 19 that there had been two unexpected releases around the end of May.
The spills were reported to the Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands and the provincial government, and the bands participated in investigating the spills.
"During the investigation samples were collected as required by the permit and the water quality is well understood to not be harmful, therefore no risk to the public or wildlife," Hudbay stated.
After the existence of the spills was shared, members of the public expressed concerns that there might have been contamination that made its way into the nearby Similkameen River.
"Both incidents have been thoroughly investigated and mitigation actions are in place," Hudbay stated. "None of these spills made it to the Similkameen River and no water flowed to Wolfe Creek."
Many residents of the valley have been concerned for years about the tailings facility at Copper Mountain, with local bands raising it as a concern prior to Hudbay's takeover of the mine.
The exact nature of the spills, such as the contents or locations of the spills, was not shared by Hudbay.
