Another spill at Kearl mine reported in northern Alberta
There has been another spill at Imperial Oil's Kearl facility in northern Alberta, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has confirmed.
"On Nov. 13, Imperial Oil reported to EDGE that there had been a release of water with Total Suspended Solids (TSS) more than their approved provincial regulatory limit from a sedimentation pond at their Kearl site," Teresa Broughton of AER wrote in an email to CTV News Edmonton. "Initial reports indicated approximately 670m3 of water was released into the Muskeg River."
According to the AER, the water was not processed water from a tailings pond but drainage from the surrounding landscape.
"The pond is a water treatment pond or a polishing pond that accepts water from muskeg drainage, overburden dewatering, overburden, and reclamation material storage areas or any areas not yet disturbed by mining and discharges to the environment.
"In this case, the pond collects and discharges run-off water into the Muskeg River in accordance with the AER-approved regulatory limit of 30 milligrams per litre."
Boughton said Imperial Oil has taken water samples upstream and downstream from the release, and the results showed the release into the river was 110 milligrams per litre over the approved limit.
Follow-up tests on Nov. 14 and 15 showed the levels of TTS downstream of the release were now within range of background conditions, Boughton added.
The spill happened because of a culvert failing, AER says.
A spokesperson for Imperial Oil says the company is now repairing the culvert and will continue to collect samples from the area.
"We continuously work to ensure our business operates in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. When this incident occurred, we took immediate steps to put mitigations in place and notified regulators and communities," Lisa Schmidt said in a written statement to CTV News. "We are sorry this happened and are applying the learnings from it to inform any additional preventative measures that are identified."
The AER is also reviewing water sample quality areas to determine any potential impacts to fish and their habitats.
Imperial Oil and the AER say they have contacted Indigenous communities in the area.
In May 2022, workers at the Kearl facility discovered what was first called "discoloured water" seeping from a tailings pond at the mine.
The substance was later confirmed to be groundwater mixed with tailings from the mine.
Imperial Oil failed to notify the neighbouring Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation until February, when 5.3-million litres of contaminated surface water overflowed from a containment pond.
Federal inspectors found the contaminated groundwater and surface water to be hazardous to wildlife.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cyclist issued fine for striking four-year-old girl crossing the street
A cyclist turned herself in and received a fine after striking a four-year-old girl who was crossing the street to catch a school bus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Dutch contestant kicked out of Eurovision hours before tension-plagued song contest final
The Netherlands' contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest was dramatically expelled from competition hours before Saturday's final of the pan-continental pop competition, which has been rattled by protests over the participation of Israel.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
'We have no judge for you': Man's assault charges dropped weeks before trial due to lack of judges in Toronto
A man who was accused of sexually and physically assaulting a woman had his charges dropped in April, just weeks before he was set to stand trial in Toronto, due to a lack of judges in the region.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.
Protest encampment cleared by Edmonton police early Saturday morning
A protest encampment set up on the University of Alberta campus was cleared early Saturday morning by Edmonton police.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.