The Giant Mine Oversight Board insists that the federal remediation project must enhance wildfire and evacuation preparedness at the Yellowknife site.
Emily Blake reports for Cabin Radio.
In short:
- The board highlighted the need for better contingency plans and more research into arsenic risks during wildfires.
- Despite no incidents during the last evacuation, the site was left insecure, posing safety and security risks.
- There's an ongoing push for better use of local businesses and hiring practices to benefit the community.
Why this matters:
Closed in 2004 after nearly 70 years of operation, the Yellowknife site is notorious for its 237,000 tons of arsenic trioxide dust, a lethal byproduct stored underground. Wildfires could potentially disrupt the containment systems at the site, leading to the release of toxic substances into the environment. This scenario poses a significant health hazard not just to the cleanup crews, but to the entire Yellowknife community.
