Teck Resources Decides Not To Discharge Red Dog Zinc Mine Sewage into Sea

Zinc  |  2014-06-10 07:53:10   |   By

Teck Resources and its outlet Teck Alaska, operator of Red Dog zinc mine in Kotzebue has undergone studies and at last rejected the idea of construction an effluent discharge line to the Chukchi Sea from the mine.

VANCOUVER (Scrap Monster): Teck Resources and its outlet Teck Alaska, operator of Red Dog zinc mine in Kotzebue has undergone studies and at last rejected the idea of construction an effluent discharge line to the Chukchi Sea from the mine.

Teck Alaska has invested about $1.7 million for conducting engineering, geotechnical, environmental and other studies testing several pipeline options. The studies concluded that an underground pipe was not technically feasible as it would break due to the seasonal ground froze and melting. Above-ground pipe was also not found to be feasible due to the high environmental risks, emission, energy costs increased negative effects on the local caribou migration and high construction costs.

The study about pipeline was mandated by a settlement agreement and consent decree of 2008 under the Act of Clean Water. At present, water is treated at the mine site and then released to Red Dog Creek. Last week, the company gave notice to the court about its decision not to build the pipeline and will pay a civil penalty of $8 million due to this decision.