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Lipstick on a Pig

Chris Zimmer : Mar 30.2010

During the past presidential campaign there was quite a bit of discussion about “lipstick on a pig.”  Since they went bankrupt last year Redfern Resources has been frantically smearing lipstick all over the Tulsequah Chief mine in an attempt to sell it off, but nobody is buying. 

Media quotes and other information from Canadian federal agency sources indicate that Redfern faces a couple of major deadlines this spring regarding their bankruptcy, the future of the Tulsequah Chief site and cleanup of ongoing acid mine drainage at the mine site. 

However, with no buyers coming forward, the future is quite uncertain.  Clearly, Redfern is (and has been) unable to accomplish any useful cleanup of the mine site.  With no new buyer in site, will the Canadian federal government step in and clean up the mess?  And, it’s not just the toxic acid mine drainage that is a problem.  Bridges and culverts were not properly constructed and could lead to erosion and sediment problems.  Redfern has basically abandoned the mine site and the site is already starting to fall apart. 

And, even if the site is cleaned up, what will happen to the mineral title?  The Taku River/Tulsequah River confluence, the heart of the Taku watershed, is simply no place for mining given the lack of access, salmon and spawning and rearing habitat and the acid-bearing nature of the geology. 

It would save time and money on all sides (and quite a bit of prime salmon habitat) if the Tulsequah Chief were simply cleaned up and retired. 

 Photos: Chris Zimmer
(top)  Tulsequah Chief Mine: acid mine drainage. June, 2009.
(bottom) Bridge and culvert issues at the abandoned mine site.