Water Quality Management
Project Overview
Skeena Gold + Silver is working to reopen the historic Eskay Creek underground mine as a conventional truck and shovel open-pit operation that will produce a gold-silver concentrate. Once in production, the concentrate from Eskay Creek will produce an average of between 200,000 and 250,000 ounces of gold annually and between 5.5 and 7 million ounces of silver annually over the Project’s estimated 18 year lifespan.
The site has significant existing infrastructure already in place, including:
+ Permitted Tom MacKay Storage Facility
+ Camps
+ Offices
+ All-weather access roads into site
+ Hydroelectric facilities
Skeena remains committed to environmental responsibility and reconciliation. Our site will be powered by clean energy, accessed through Coast Mountain Hydroelectric Facilities, partly owned by the Tahltan Nation.
Our Commitment to Clean Water
+ No cyanide use
+ Tahltan engineers
+ Integration of Tahltan Sustainability Principles
+ State-of-the-art, year-round water treatment targeting copper, lead, zinc, mercury, and other metals
+ Upgraded tailings management systems
+ Environmental and Social Design Principles co-developed with the Tahltan Nation
+ Numerous monitoring systems and checkpoints
100%
Of water monitoring data reported to the Tahltan Central Government
30%
Targeted greenhouse gas emission reduction from base case
100%
Of hazardous waste recycled in 2024 0 Cyanide used in mine operations
Respect for Our Environment
The Eskay Creek Project is located in the non-fish bearing Tom McKay Watershed, a tributary to the Unuk Watershed, which drains 3885 km2 of land and is home to a variety of plant and animal species. At less than 8 km2 large, the Project footprint represents approximately 0.2% of the watershed, and adjacent waterways are non-fish bearing. Still, Skeena is committed to continually monitoring at the Project area and the surrounding environment to ensure we prevent impacts to wildlife.
Water use at Eskay Creek will have minimal impact on local water supply as we recycle water whenever possible, including reusing water from the Tom MacKay Storage Facility for processing.
Water Quality Management
Potential Effects to Water
Skeena remains committed to project transparency. Highlighted below are potential effects on the Unuk watershed.
+ Environmental studies have found some elevated concentrations of metals in water and plant life from the historic Eskay Creek mine. Water treatment is currently in place to manage mine-affected water from the past operations. The Project proposes to significantly upgrade the water treatment facility at site to ensure the highest standards of treatment are in place for past and new operations.
» Continued monitoring in collaboration with the Tahltan Nation will occur throughout the project to determine effects and mitigation.
+ We expect little to no change in the amount of stream flow.
+ The Eskay Creek Watershed is non-fish bearing.
+ No rare aquatic species, as defined by the BC Conservation Data Centre or under the federal Species At Risk Act, are located in the Project area (Tahltan ERM Environmental Consultants 2023).
+ Wetlands account for 1.2% of the project area. Skeena is committed to collaboration with TCG to minimize changes to the land and support long-term ecological health.
Pictured: Unuk River Watershed, including the Eskay Creek Project location and major bodies of water and waterways. Labelled green dots correspond to water sampling locations.
Treating Water at Eskay Creek
Water quality is of the utmost importance for Skeena as we design the Eskay Creek Revitalization Project. Skeena is committed to ensuring that clean water stays clean, and any water returned to the environment meets provincial water quality standards.
To do this, we will use a water treatment process that removes dissolved metals before returning clean water to the environment. At the same time, we will transport the metals we remove to the Tom MacKay Storage Facility to ensure that they stay out of the environment. Key steps in the process include adjusting the PH of the water, adding natural compounds, and drawing the metals together so that they can be easily removed.
Water Quality Management
On Site Water Monitoring
+ Significant surface water and groundwater monitoring stations in and around the site.
+ Monitoring program and sites co-designed with the Tahltan Central Government, including monitoring
sites added around the Tom MacKay Storage Facility.
+ Managing the water level in the North Pit after Reclamation and Closure to ensure mine affected groundwater flows into the pit rather than outwards
+ Implementing safe access and emergency power systems at the mine site
Pictured: Water management at Eskay Creek
Pictured: Geotubes, a key technology for Skeena’s water treatment plan at Eskay Creek.
Actions and Mitigations
Water Quality Management
The Project includes built-in controls to protect water quality and minimize environmental effects on water.
These include:
+ Keeping clean water clean using water diversion structures
+ Storing acid generating rock and tailings underwater to prevent the risk of metal leaching and acid rock drainage
+ Incorporation of liners in the North and South dams of the TMSF to minimize seepage
+ Incorporating an underdrain system beneath the North and South dams of the TMSF to direct seepage towards collection sumps
+ Backfilling the South Pit to minimize the long-term disturbance area
+ Treating mine affected water
+ Managing the water level in the North Pit after Reclamation and Closure to ensure mine affected groundwater flows into the pit rather than outwards
+ Implementing safe access and emergency power systems at the mine site
Water Stewardship with the Tahltan Nation
Skeena recognizes the importance of water and water stewardship in the Tahltan Nation, and are committed to reflecting this value in our Project design. In support of this work, we see immense value and necessity of continued collaboration with the Tahltan Nation as we develop water management plans at Eskay Creek. We collaborate with the Tahltan Central Government on water stewardship initiatives, including co-design of water monitoring and management programs.
We continue to hire Tahltan engineers and consultants and Tahltan-owned or affiliated businesses in our environmental assessments, infrastructure planning, and daily operations. Questions?
Ensure socially responsible management of water resources
Skeena Environmental and Social Design Principles, co-developed with the Tahltan Nation
If you have questions related to Eskay Creek water treatment or anything else on your mind, please contact engage.eskay@skeenagold.com. You can also visit our website (https://skeenagoldsilver.com/eskay-creek/) or visit the Eskay Creek Revitalization Project on BC EAO’s EPIC website, which details everything from mine infrastructure to environmental impact.