On June 24, 2024, there was a catastrophic failure of the heap leach facility at the Eagle Gold Mine site 85 kilometres north of Mayo, Yukon. Four million tonnes of ore material slid down 1.4kilometres, breaking containment and releasing approximately 300,000m3 of cyanide-contaminated water into Haggart Creek, a tributary to the McQuesten River in the Yukon River drainage. This contamination is currently ongoing and poses serious risks to the community, environment, local wildlife, and aquatics pecies. And while the disaster occurred in Na-cho Nyäk Dun Traditional Territory, it has the potential to affect Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Citizens and users of both Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Traditional Territory.
To obtain more information or report on-the-land observations to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Natural Resources department, call (867) 993-4828 or email eaglegoldresponse@trondek.ca.
The following resources can help Citizens and land users stay informed:
Yukon Government Eagle Mine Updates
First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Emergency Response Site
Responding to the Eagle Gold Disaster: An Information Bulletin for TH Citizens
