Canadian coking coal exporter Teck Resources Ltd announced on October 8 that its smelting operations in Trail, British Columbia discharged waste into the Columbia River that is likely to have exceeded the permitted amounts of mercury.
According to a company statement, the discharge occurred during the reconfiguration of piping to the effluent treatment plant. Work on the project has been completed, and the regulatory authorities, including the Provincial Emergency Program, the Ministry of Environment and Environment Canada, have been notified.
An investigation is underway to confirm the cause of the incident, the amount of mercury discharged, and the potential impact on the Columbia River.