More evidence as to why sulfide ores of gold are a bit touchy....
See the problems that continue to plague YNG and its Jerritt Canyon Roaster.
YUKON-NEVADA GOLD CORP. SUSPENDS OPERATION OF ITS
ROASTERS AT JERRITT CANYON TO COMPLETE ITS MERCURY
RECOVERY SYSTEM
Vancouver, BC – June 1, 2009 – Yukon-Nevada Gold Corp. (Toronto Stock
Exchange: YNG; Frankfurt Xetra Exchange: NG6) announces that a delay in the
fabrication of certain fiberglass ductwork has resulted in the Company being unable to
meet a deadline to complete the installation of new mercury – emission – control
equipment at the Jerritt Canyon Mine. Therefore, in compliance with NDEP Order 2009-
4, Queenstake Resources Inc. USA (Queenstake), a wholly owned subsidiary of Yukon-
Nevada Gold Corp. (YNG), has discontinued operation of its roaster circuits at the Jerritt
Canyon Mine.
The ductwork will be used in the installation of a calomel-based mercury control system
required by the NDEP to ensure the company complies with state-mandated mercury
emission limits, and to minimize the proportion of oxidized (reactive) mercury released to
the air.
Queenstake notified the NDEP that both roaster circuits at the Jerritt Canyon Mine
ceased operation at 11 p.m. May 30.
Queenstake has successfully complied with other requirements of operation per NDEP
Order 2009-4. While the roasters are off-line to complete the required work, the
processing of ore already roasted and the recovery of gold will continue.
The Company expects to take delivery of the fiberglass duct work and have the new
mercury emission control equipment installed before the end of June.
HISTORY:
Following a year-long investigation into mercury emissions, in March 2008 the NDEP
ordered Queenstake Resources to install new state-of-the-art emission control
equipment at the Jerritt Canyon Mine by the end of that year. Before the NDEP's order
was satisfied, Queenstake Resources, by its own action, stopped mining and processing
ore at Jerritt Canyon Mine in August 2008. The facility remained shut down while the
new emission control systems were designed. Staff from Queenstake Resources and the
NDEP worked together to resolve several air emission issues related to the roasting
operation.
NDEP issued an Order March 25, allowing Queenstake to restart ore processing
operations after the mine's initial environmental compliance was satisfied. The
requirement to shut down the roaster does not affect the operation of the milling and
gold recovery portion of the plant. This ensures that the Company cash flow and other
operations can continue.
Yukon-Nevada Gold Corp. is a North American gold producer in the business of
discovering, developing and operating gold deposits. The Company holds a diverse
portfolio of gold, silver, zinc and copper properties in the Yukon Territory and British
Columbia in Canada and in Arizona and Nevada in the United States. The Company's
focus has been on the acquisition and development of late stage development and
operating properties with gold as the primary target. Continued growth will occur by
increasing or initiating production from the Company's existing properties.
Yukon-Nevada Gold Corp.
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