Alaska company fined for damaging water quality

An Alaskan firm has been fined $120,000 (£72,000) for damaging water quality and breaching environmental legislation at a lead and zinc mine near Kotzebue, Alaska.

Owner and operator of the Red Dog Mine and Port site Teck Alaska, which ships its products to British Columbia, Canada and to customers in Asia and Europe, has agreed to pay the civil penalty issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for alleged Clean Water Act violations.

Edward Kowalski, director of the EPA’s Office of Compliance and Enforcement in Seattle, said that strict compliance with the Clean Water Act is a critically important part of any responsible mining operation.

"A big part of owning and operating a mine, in Alaska or elsewhere, is protecting health, safety and the environment," he stated.

He added that Teck Alaska has the ability to contribute to the local and national economy without forcing Alaskans to sacrifice their water quality in the process.

Written by Lauren Steadman