Mining and licensing
Information about Victoria Gold Corporation's heap leach failure, including the operation process, landslide details, containment efforts, support for workers and residents, and inspector's directions.
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Heap leach failure
What is a heap leach operation?
At a heap leach operation, ore is dug from an open pit, crushed and then piled on a protective liner. A cyanide solution is dripped on the ore to dissolve the gold. The gold-cyanide solution is collected at the bottom of the heap, then sent to an on-site plant where the gold and cyanide are separated and the cyanide solution is reused.
What happened during the failure and why?
A landslide occurred on the ore stacked in the heap leach facility. The slide caused ore to spill over the embankment at the base of the facility and into the creek.
The landslide was about 1.5 km long and involved about 4 million tonnes of material, with an estimated 2 million tonnes leaving containments.
It’s too early to say what caused the landslide as the slope may still be unstable.
What was done following the failure to help contain contaminated water?
Shortly after the failure, mine operators built dams to hold back contaminated water and started pumping water into storage ponds. The dams seem to have contained the visibly flowing solution. We’ll know more as we get more water monitoring results.
Learn more about the water quality tests.
What are you doing to support workers of the mine?
We know this is a difficult time. We want to ensure workers and the public are aware of the Employment Standards Office and have access to supports.
Under the Yukon’s Employment Standards Act, an employer is permitted to lay off employees temporarily for up to 13 weeks in a 20-week period, or for a time set by the Director of Employment Standards.
Former Victoria Gold employees can contact Service Canada regarding employment insurance.
Former employees who are owed wages have 6 months from the date the wages were due to file a wage complaint with the Employment Standards Office.
The receiver is gathering the required information on all former employees who may be eligible to participate in the Wage Earner Protection Program administered by Service Canada.
Once this is finalized, all eligible employees will receive a notice from the receiver outlining the amounts eligible to be claimed through the program, and instructions on how to apply.
All former eligible employees have been granted an extension up to December 26, 2024, to submit applications to Service Canada.
Additional information can be found at the receiver’s website.
Anyone with questions can contact:
Employment Standards Office
307 Black Street, 1st floor, Whitehorse, Yukon
Phone 867-667-5944, or Toll-free in the Yukon: 1-800-661-0408, or by email at eso@yukon.ca.
What supports are available for people experiencing distress due to the heap leach failure?
We understand that the situation at the Victoria Gold mine may be causing emotional or psychological distress for those who live or work in the area. Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services provides rapid access counselling appointments for all Yukoners. Anyone can call 866-456-3838 to book an appointment with a counsellor within 3 days.
Contact information
Department of Energy, Mines and Resources: emr-info@yukon.ca
Department of Environment: env-comms@yukon.ca
Employment Standards Office: eso@yukon.ca or 867-667-5944
Environmental Health Services: environmental.health@yukon.ca or 867-667-8391
Workers’ Safety and Compensation Board - work.safe@wcb.yk.ca or 867-667-5645
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