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APRIL 18, 2017 | Volume 30 No. 46
Spill probed at Highland Valley Copper mine CAM FORTEMS STAFF REPORTER cam@kamloopsthisweek.com
ANDREA KLASSEN/KTW
Arlee Harvey wants the Wanda Sue paddlewheeler, which she claims is responsible for about $13,000 in property damage to her dock, removed from the water.
An act of nature or negligence?
ANDREA KLASSEN STAFF REPORTER andrea@kamloopsthisweek.com
Gunnar Slack believes it was an act of nature that sent the Wanda Sue down the river and into the docks of two neighbouring homes.
TODAY’S WEATHER Showers High 14 C Low 3 C
Neighbours on Thompson Drive in Valleyview believe it’s a sign the replica sternwheeler needs to be removed from the river — and proof Slack owes them tens of thousands of dollars in compensation for the damage it caused.
According to Slack and neighbour Marlene Crowther, the trouble began in early February, when packed ice created a jam on the South Thompson River, building up pressure behind the Wanda Sue.
An investigation is underway following the release of a large volume of contaminated water at the Highland Valley Copper mine near Logan Lake. Chris Stannell, spokesman for Teck Resources Ltd., owner of Highland Valley Copper, said freezing in a water pipeline that services the mine’s tailings facility occurred on April 8, resulting in the release of approximately 850 cubic metres (850,000 litres) of process water from the pipeline. Stannell said the process water was contained at the site, noting the safety and stability of the mine’s tailings dam was not affected. “There were no environmental impacts as a result of this incident,” Stannell said. “The leak was reported immediately to regulatory authorities and the line has been taken out of service until repairs are completed. In following our standard protocols, an investigation is underway and appropriate corrective actions will be put in place.” The company and the union representing more than 1,000 workers — United Steelworkers Local 7619 — have been embroiled in sometimes tense contract negotiations, with the union last month coming forward with what it said was the latest in a series of incidents it said points to safety concerns at the mine. Kyle Wolff, president of Local 7619 of the United Steelworkers, said the company has yet to give the union and its occupational health and safety committee any information. See UNION, A10
See WANDA SUE, A12
FIRE DEEMED SUSPICIOUS
SWEEP WEEKEND
Budget building goes up in flames
TRU WolfPack celebrating four straight victories
A3
A19