Former Environment Canada officer details slow response to failed tests
Environment Canada officer Ron Hunter was kept informed as, repeatedly, samples of treated liquid waste from Vale Newfoundland and Labrador’s mine site at Voisey’s Bay failed a key environmental safety test in October 2011.
According to the now-retired officer’s testimony, during a day of trial at provincial court in St. John’s Wednesday, it took the better part of the month and a third failed test before he felt the need to give formal direction to the company about the discharge of the waste into nearby Anaktalak Bay, on the Labrador coast.
Release of treated mine waste into the waters is permitted, but only with regular testing showing it remains within specific parameters, for the protection of the environment.
During Hunter’s testimony, a reference was made to a “final discharge point monthly summary,” stating a total volume of waste released into the bay during the month in question was 492,337 cubic metres — enough to fill 197 Olympic-size swimming pools.
The Telegram has yet to see that document.
The first failed “acute lethality” test for the month was reported on Oct. 4.
The feed into the bay was, according to discussion in court, shut down Oct. 31.
Wearing a dark grey suit rather than the green jacket of active Environment Canada officers, Hunter was on the stand as a witness for the Crown.
The legal case underway involves a trio of allegations against Vale Newfoundland and Labrador for violations of the federal Fisheries Act.
The case focuses on liquid waste taken from the company’s tailings impoundment put through a special wastewater treatment plant before being sent into Edwards Cove in Anaktalak Bay.
The waste — according to charges laid against the company and testimony by the Crown’s witness — was consistently tested at the point of its release, at least 50 metres out into the bay.
For the testing, the company takes samples of treated waste and sends it to a contracted laboratory. Testing for the Voisey’s bay mine was being completed by Stantec in St. John’s.
The sample effluent is tested for the presence of various metals. A separate test determines whether or not the waste should be considered “acutely lethal” for fish. That test requires at least 96 hours, wherein 10 live rainbow trout are placed into the effluent and watched.
Death of the fish is bad. And Hunter said the Vale wastewater was repeatedly found to be lethal, due to its acidity.
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