The proposed mine threatens the ecology of our waterways. This page summarizes the scientific probability that ecological damage will occur through acid mine drainage and other contaminants.
Acid Mine Drainage
What is it? Acid mine drainage (AMD) occurs when sulphide rich ore is removed from underground and exposed to surface air and water through mining activities. This exposure speeds up the natural oxidation process and releases acid into the ground and surface water which lowers the pH. Within the hardrock mining industry, acid mine drainage can seep from mine openings, waste rock, tailings, and groundwater near the site. This contaminated water flows into watersheds and can impact birds, fish, aquatic organisms, and humans.
(source of paragraph above: EPA)
Our Watershed: The Palmer Project proposes a hardrock mine in pursuit of sulphide-rich minerals. The project is located at Glacier Creek, a tributary of the Klehini River which flows into the Chilkat River that meets the Inside Passage. If acid mine drainage occurs, the location of the mine will cause sulfuric acid water to quickly enter a large portion of the watershed.
Their Plan: According to Constantine’s Preliminary Economic Assessment, potentially acid generating tailings will be returned underground as backfill while a portion of the non-potentially acid generating will be stored on the surface.
Our Concern: While Constantine claims that their plan will not hurt our watershed, we are concerned by the many examples of failed promises, as well as the longterm work necessary to prevent acid drainage.
Worldwide there are many examples that demonstrate how containment and treatment of acid rock drainage often does not go as planned. The infrastructure and treatment process to contain polluted waters and reduce acidity or remove metals adequately often fail. The Chilkat Valley is prone to earthquakes, landslides, and avalanches.
If Constantine is able to successfully contain acid mine drainage while they operate the mine, we have no reason to believe they will continue this work. In order to prevent sulfuric acid from releasing heavy metals into groundwater, rivers, and streams, abandoned mines require water treatment into perpetuity (source: earthworks). Forever is a long time. The future generations of the Jilkaat Kwaan will bear the responsibility of stewarding the infrastructure to ensure that toxic waste is contained forever.
Other contaminants
Ore: The ore pursued by Constantine - copper, zinc, gold, silver - may damage ecology if it enters the waterways. Based on Constantine’s plan, there are many opportunities for this ore to enter the waterway. For example, trucks carrying ore down the highway have the potential to crash and spill contents into the river, as they have at Red Dog mine (source: news story). Additionally, earth events such as avalanches, earthquakes, and landslides are common in the area.
Cyanide: Cyanide (NaCN) is commonly used in hardrock mining to separate minerals. When leakage occurs from hardrock mines, cyanide can travel into water and soil, impacting aquatic organisms, water foul, and humans (source of above paragraph: EPA). In their Preliminary Economic Assessment, Constantine states plans to use cyanide.
Both of the above contaminants are vulnerable to any number of accidental and unpredictable spills. While Constantine assures us that the probability of mistakes is low, we recognize that the consequences are too high. We are not willing to put our watershed - and therefore our food source, economy, and heritage - in danger.