More contamination around Eagle Gold mine, Yukon [Video]

The Yukon government says testing around the gold mine where a containment facility gave way, spilling millions of tonnes of cyanide-laced rock, has found increased levels of mercury, cobalt and cyanide.

The territory says in a statement updating the failure of the heap leach facility at the Eagle Gold mine that the increasing levels were found in Haggart Creek near the mine site, however it isn’t the type of mercury that accumulates in fish and wildlife.

It says the contaminants found in the creek at this time don’t pose a heightened risk to the health of residents or those using the land and water downstream from the mine site.

The update says the receiver appointed to manage the mine’s owner, Victoria Gold Corp., is in the process of returning personal items to employees that remained on site after the mine closure.

It says the receiver has also extended applications to …