May 4, 2026
The Eagle Gold Mine heap leach site remains a serious situation requiring dedicated management efforts. With cyanide-laden ore still present on the heap and spilled in the Dublin Gulch valley, and cyanide-contaminated water still leaching from the heap and ore into the surrounding environment and groundwater, each spring melt event poses a renewed risk of contamination overflow. The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun has renewed concerns regarding the management of the site as the 2026 freshet arrives.
In recent weeks, the Eagle Gold Mine site has experienced numerous cyanide-contaminated spill events due to the inadequate management of the emergency response. The Receiver, on behalf of Victoria Gold Corp., PricewaterhouseCoopers, has overseen the deployment of inadequate pipe systems to move cyanide solution across the site and deficient liners for contaminant storage ponds, and has failed to dedicate sufficient resources to contaminated groundwater collection. The result has been ongoing environmental harm and an unknown quantity of contamination entering the area’s groundwater systems.
On April 29, 2026, FNNND was notified of an unauthorized discharge of contaminated water to Haggart Creek, which exceeded the effluent quality standards under the Water Use license. This was due to an overflow event observed at the DG4 sump, a groundwater collection sump that was unable to adequately handle the increased levels of meltwater. Due to this pump’s proximity to Haggart Creek, the full volume of contaminated discharge water and its true toxicity levels will never be accurately known.
The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun has limited confidence in the site management as it continues to inadequately address the continued emergency needs at the Eagle Gold Mine site. Further, the Receiver has no long-term plans for the site’s water management, heap stabilization, or broader environmental remediation efforts; instead, hoping that a buyer will be willing to clean up VGC’s mess.
The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun continues to urge the Receiver to adhere to its court-ordered obligation to remedy the environmental and safety impacts of the disaster, and Yukon Government to hold these parties accountable through both the receivership order and regulatory instruments. As the insufficient systems and management on site continue, further damage occurs to both the surrounding land and waters and the site’s infrastructure itself, and risks of more severe damage continue.
The Eagle Gold Mine heap leach failure is an environmental disaster on all accounts. The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun renews its call for a transparent and comprehensive public inquiry so that the systemic failures that contributed to this unprecedented mining failure can be transparently understood and eradicated from Yukon’s future.
For further questions, please contact:
Sarah Frey
Communications Contractor, The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun
867-689-8514