The Ontario Ministry of the Environment (OME) alleges effluent discharged in April 2001 likely had an adverse effect on the creek, and that this was a violation of the Ontario Water Resources Act.
“If we can prove that there was an adverse effect as a result of the discharge, then the maximum penalty they would face would be ten million dollars,” says OME spokesman Mark Rabbior.
Rabbior would not say how the OME found out about the spill. Under Ontario law, companies must report any spill or runoff that has gone off-site; otherwise, they face fines.
Falconbridge spokesperson Caroline Casselman says the company plans to defend itself against the charge.
The Kidd Creek metallurgical plant smelts and refines ore from various mines. The effluent from the plant is treated in a series of ponds prior to being discharged into the receiving streams, including Three Nations Creek.
The first court date is scheduled for mid-April in the Ontario Court of Justice in Timmins.
In 2000, Falconbridge was convicted on four counts of discharging concentrations of zinc and copper effluent into a creek and paid a fine of $4,000 on each count. If Falco had not been convicted of a previous offense, the maximum fine for the newest charges would have been $250,000.
Be the first to comment on "Falco charged over effluent"