A mine's controlled release of wastewater has one First Nation leader worried about its impact

GULL BAY FIRST NATION, Ont. – Contaminated ponds from a nearby mining operation has the chief of one First Nation concerned about a lack of consultation as well as the potential impacts.

Gull Bay First Nation chief Wilfred King is upset with North American Palladium and its Lac des Iles operations as well as the provincial government after the company began what they call a “controlled release” of the waste water into the environment, without contacting the community located about 100 kilometres north.

“There’s a violation of our rights when a spill happens and the Ministry of the Environment has not contacted us at all,” King said.

On Friday he sent a letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne, as well as Environment Minister Glenn Murray, Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer to outline his concerns.

A news release from the company on Wednesday reported some water was being released to combat a problem with high water levels and leakage in containment ponds that began last week.

“A portion of the water being discharged is being processed through the on-site water clarification plant and two additional water treatment plants that have been set up and are operational. Monitoring stations have been set up downstream from the water release point to measure water quality. The released water contains higher than permitted levels of suspended solids, and aluminum and iron,” the release states.

King is worried about the environmental impact on his community’s traditional lands.

“There are some waterways that are negatively impacted now, from beaver ponds exposed to the spill and a small lake exposed to the spill,” King said.

“It’s my understanding that they’re doing monitoring in the water throughout the area because it might have even breached some of the mitigation measures they put in place.”

Milling operations at the mine had been previously suspended, with the company expecting to restart the processing plant once repairs had been made to the liner of a reclaim pond. However, in a May 28 media release to stakeholders the company said there were further issues.

“…recent problems have been experienced with leakages at some of the existing containment structures which are currently under repair. These issues have been exacerbated by the late and rapid onset of spring, accompanied by heavy rains, causing excess water to enter containment areas resulting in an upsetting of the water balance,” the statement reads.

King said those releases have provided most of his knowledge of what’s been happening.

He’s calling on the company as well as the government for more communication.

“All we’re getting is press releases from the mines to the shareholders and the odd telephone call here and there. We’re not scientists, we’re not engineers. We don’t know the full impact of the spill,” he said.