PACIFIC RIM MINING CORP.
TSX, AMEX SYMBOL: PMU
JUNE 11, 2002 - 09:22 EDT
Pacific Rim Mining Corp.: Denton-Rawhide Gold Mine Cleans
Up Solution Spill
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--Pacific Rim Mining Corp. was notified
late afternoon, Monday, June 10, 2002 by the General Manager of
the Kennecott Rawhide Mine that the Denton-Rawhide Mine had
experienced a process solution spill on which clean up had already
been completed.
On Sunday, June 9, 2002, leaching process solution used at the
Denton-Rawhide Mine, located in Mineral County, Nevada, overflowed
containment structures from a ruptured pipe triggering the mine's
Emergency Response Plan. Approximately 40,000 gallons of dilute
cyanide process solution, which is used to recover precious metals
escaped the containment area. Mine personnel took immediate
actions to contain and neutralize the spilled solution to ensure
no harm occurred to employees, wildlife or the environment:
* The spill was caused by a failure of a weld on a 16-inch
diameter pipeline that was carrying process solution from a lined
storage pond to a lined heap leach pad.
* The mine immediately shut down the pipeline flow when the
failure in the weld was detected.
* The process solution is at a concentration of about 140 parts of
cyanide per million parts of solution, resulting in a spill of
approximately 47 pounds of cyanide.
* The mine removed approximately 300 tons of affected soil,
placing it back on the lined heap leach pad. Areas that had
minimal exposure were sprayed with a dilute solution of water and
bleach (sodium hypochlorite) to neutralize any remaining cyanide.
Some soils were not removed in order to minimize disturbance to
the environment.
* Preliminary soil samples are being taken to determine the
effectiveness of the mine's response and clean up efforts.
* All appropriate state and federal regulatory agencies were
notified of the spill and the clean up actions taken. The mine
has invited state and federal regulatory personnel to visit the
site and review the response and clean up efforts and to determine
whether any additional clean up measures are needed.
* The mine's general manager, Kevin Hegerle, stated "The Rawhide
Emergency Response Team went into action as soon as the ruptured
pipeline weld was detected and did an effective job in the clean
up to ensure protection of the environment. Although Rawhide's
environmental record and response to this incident can be
described as being very good, we will learn from this incident and
make improvements to our overall operation to prevent any future
recurrence."
* There were no wildlife, surface or ground waters impacted by the
spill.
"While the spill is unfortunate, we are pleased with the quick and
efficient clean up response by our partner, Kennecott. The
incident is being reviewed by the team on site to determine what
can be done to minimize the possibility of another similar
incident" stated Tom Shrake, CEO of Pacific Rim Mining Corp.
On behalf of the board of directors,
Catherine McLeod-Seltzer, President
* The Denton-Rawhide Mine is jointly owned by Kennecott Minerals
Company (51%) and Pacific Rim Mining Corporation (49%). The mine
is located in the old Rawhide Mining District, approximately 55
miles southeast of Fallon, Nevada, in Mineral County. Production
at Rawhide began in 1990 and has averaged approximately 100,000
ounces of gold and one million ounces of silver annually. The
mine is currently in the process of planning for final reclamation
and closure. Mining is scheduled to end during the second half of
2002 with completion of processing low-grade stockpiled ore by the
second quarter of 2003.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Pacific Rim Mining Corp.
Catherine McLeod-Seltzer
President
(604) 689-1976 or Toll Free 1-888-775-7097
(604) 689-1978 (FAX)
Email: info@pacrim-mining.com
Website: www.pacrim-mining.com
The TSE and AMEX has neither reviewed nor accepts responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. |
