Tulsequah Chief mine clean-up

The Tulsequah Chief mine (Tulsequah) is a historic copper, lead, zinc and gold mine. From 1951 to 1957, mining at the site caused acid mine drainage which has continued discharging into the Taaltsux̱éi Héen (Tulsequah River).

The Province is committed to holding past and present owners of the Tulsequah Chief Mine accountable to address clean-up of the site. The Province is working closely with the Taku River Tlingit First Nation and is committed to continuing to engage with stakeholders regarding a long-term approach to address acid rock drainage and reclamation requirements at the site. This is part of the Province's ongoing efforts to protect the environment near the B.C. and Alaska border.

On this page

• Located on the Taaltsux̱éi Héen (Tulsequah River)
• Clean-up and reclamation steps at Tulsequah
• History of mining activities
• Ask a question
• Report a problem

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Clean-up and reclamation steps at Tulsequah

Tulsequah was developed and operated in the 1950s, using the practices and standards of that time. B.C.'s goal is to clean-up Tulsequah and return it to a safe and environmentally sound state in accordance with B.C.'s modern reclamation requirements and the rights and laws of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation (TRTFN).

This work is underpinned by B.C.'s commitment to working collaboratively with the TRTFN as well as by the Province's robust environmental assessment, permitting, reclamation, and compliance and enforcement requirements that seek to ensure that all mining projects are planned, operated and closed safely and in an environmentally sound way. Read more about the requirements:

• Environmental Assessment Office
• Managing waste from mining and smelting
• Reclamation: Committed to ensuring B.C.'s resources are returned to an environmentally sound state
• Mining compliance and enforcement

In addition to the TRTFN, the Province is working with the following groups and agencies on Tulsequah clean-up:

• The Atlin Taku Economic Limited Partnership
• Teck Resources Limited
• The State of Alaska
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• The Government of Canada

The following sections outline steps the Province has taken to support environmental management and reclamation at Tulsequah.

1. Enforce environmental and mining requirements

Inspect and advise (2012 to 2016): The Province inspected the Tulsequah site and issued several advisories and warnings to Chieftain Metals Inc (Chieftain), the current site owners.

Issue orders (2017): Chieftain did not comply with the inspection orders, so, in 2017, the chief inspector of mines escalated enforcement action by issuing orders that required Chieftain to provide a plan that would bring the site into compliance.

Escalate enforcement action (2018): Chieftain did not provide an adequate plan, so, in 2018, the chief inspector of mines (under authority provided in section 17 of the Mines Act) issued a letter to Chieftain. The letter provided notice that escalating enforcement actions would be taken because Chieftain continued to be out of compliance with both Mines Act and Environmental Management Act requirements.

Inspect site conditions (2022): The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation conducted an inspection to document current site conditions and compliance with orders resulting from inspections conducted in 2016 and 2017.

Issue further orders (2023): Since Chieftain did not provide a response to the orders issued in October 2022, the chief inspector of mines issued orders to Chieftain in January 2023 under section 10.1 of the Mines Act requiring Chieftain to provide plans related to the disposal of chemicals, the water treatment plant, environmental monitoring, and reclamation within 90 days. After discussions with Armex Mining Corp., Chieftain’s secured creditor, the chief inspector of mines delayed the deadline for completing the January 2023 order to December 31, 2023.

Cancel Mines Act permit M-232 and Environmental Management Act authorization 105719 (2024): As a result of continued and ongoing non-compliances at the Tulsequah Chief mine, including the January 2023 Orders, the chief inspector of mines made the decision to cancel Mines Act permit M-232 on March 22, 2024.

Authorization 105719, under the Environmental Management Act, was cancelled on May 22, 2024, for the non-payment of annual fees.

Review inspections and orders that summarize the full history of compliance with requirements at the Tulsequah site:

• Environmental assessments > Tulsequah Chief mine
• BC Mine Information > Tulsequah Chief mine
• Authorized Management System (AMS) > Enter 105719 in the Authorization Number search field > Click Search
• Natural Resource Compliance and Enforcement Database

2. Conduct environmental monitoring and analysis

Assess impacts (2016): Both B.C. and Alaska governments have conducted studies to assess the mine’s impact on the ecology of the Taaltsux̱éi Héen.

Monitor water quality (2017 to 2021): Between 2017 and 2019, a joint B.C.-Alaska technical program monitored water quality in the watersheds along the B.C.-Alaska border. As part of this study, samples were collected in the lower Taaltsux̱éi Héen and T'aakú Héeni watersheds. The water quality monitoring program found that:

• Alaskan water quality standards were not exceeded in the T'aakú Héeni downstream of the B.C.-Alaska border
• In the Tulsequah watershed, naturally occurring mineral deposits and mine discharge appear to have had a localized influence on some sediment and water samples, which exceeded some of B.C.'s water and sediment quality guidelines

Learn more: Protecting the environment near the B.C. and Alaska border

In 2018, the chief inspector of mines hired SLR Consulting to develop a conceptual plan for monitoring water quality at the site. Taku River Tlingit First Nation were engaged in the development of the conceptual plan.

3. Develop a conceptual plan for clean-up (2019 to 2020)

To better understand options and potential costs associated with reclamation at the mine, the chief inspector of mines retained SNC-Lavalin and SRK Consulting (Canada) Ltd. to develop a conceptual plan for reclamation of the mine. The plan includes input from the Taku River Tlingit First Nation, the State of Alaska and Teck.

• Read the plan: Tulsequah Chief Mine Conceptual Closure and Reclamation Plan - April 2020 (PDF)

Further detailed studies and investigations are required to develop a final plan for implementing site reclamation activities.

4. Start preliminary onsite work (2021 to 2022)

With cooperation and funding from Teck ($2.36M over 2021 and 2022), early work identified in the conceptual plan was undertaken to improve site stability and accessibility and to complete the water and aquatic effects monitoring required to inform a final reclamation plan was carried out in 2021 and 2022.

The following work identified in the 2020 conceptual plan has been completed:

• Building and repairing 17 stream crossings and bridges
• Protecting the airstrip from erosion
• Continuing annual water quality monitoring at the site
• Implementing a water quality and aquatic effects monitoring program in the Taaltsux̱éi Héen to support and inform further reclamation planning at the mine

These interim activities have been conducted in collaboration with the Taku River Tlingit First Nation through their economic arm, Atlin Taku Economic Limited Partnership.

The chief inspector of mines sent letters to Chieftain to give notice that a lien would be placed against the mine to cover the cost of preliminary remediation work at the site.

• September 2020 letter (PDF)
• May 2021 letter (PDF)

5. Develop a final reclamation plan (2023 ongoing)

Teck voluntarily committed to developing and implementing a reclamation plan at the mine. To develop the plan, they are working with the Taku River Tlingit First Nation. It is anticipated that the Taku River Tlingit First Nation will also participate in on-site reclamation work. 

In August 2023, Teck conducted a site visit with subject matter experts to inform planning efforts to support final reclamation planning.​

Throughout the summer of 2024, Teck conducted technical investigation activities onsite to address information gaps and inform the strategies to be included in the final reclamation and closure plan. 

As reclamation plan development continues, more active engagement with interested stakeholders will occur.

In September 2024, to honour the importance of their collaborative relationship to the success of reclamation at Tulsequah, the Province, the TRTFN and Teck entered into a memorandum of understanding that outlines their commitment to collaboration and the continued work at Tulsequah. 

Once submitted, B.C. regulators will review the final reclamation plan and make decisions with respect to any authorizations that may be required to support the plan's implementation.

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History of mining activities

1951 to 1957

• The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada Limited (Cominco) owned and operated Tulsequah
• The mine produced copper, lead and zinc
• Note: In 2009, Cominco amalgamated to become Teck Metals Inc. (Teck)

1957 to 1987

• No activity happened at the site

1987 to 1992

• Cominco partnered with Redfern Resources Ltd. (Redfern) to begin exploration activities at the site

1992 to 2010

• Redfern acquired the site from Teck and continued exploration and submitted applications to redevelop the mine
• In December 2002, Redfern received an Environmental Assessment Certificate
• In February 2008, Redfern received a Mines Act permit for pre-construction site cleanup
• In 2009, Redfern became insolvent, and a receiver was appointed over company assets
• In 2010, Chieftan Metals Inc. (Chieftain) acquired the mineral claims and all permits and licences from the receiver for Redfern

2010 to present

• In 2011, Chieftain sought amendments to the Mines Act permit to allow minor construction at the site and operation of a water treatment plant
• The water treatment plant operated for a short period of time in 2012 but was ultimately unsuccessful for technical reasons
• In September 2016, a receiver was appointed over Chieftain
• In October 2020, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted the discharge of the receiver over Chieftain
• Chieftain remains on the Ontario Corporate Registry as an active corporation in that province

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