B.C. judge issues $3.4M fine to Teck mining for polluting the Columbia River

A judge in Rossland, B.C., has issued a $3.4-million fine to B.C. mining giant Teck for polluting the Columbia River.

The company admitted to discharging elevated levels of toxins such as ammonia and cadmium from its zinc and lead smelter in Trail, B.C., over about16 monthsending last February.

During the 16 month time frame, there were 13 separate incidents of discharge.

"These incidents we do not view as acceptable," saidTeck'smanager of public affairs, RichardDeane."In addition to the specific corrective action, we are going to investafurther $8.1 million."

• Teck Metals expected to plead guilty to 15 pollution-related charges
• B.C. mining giant admits polluting U.S. waters
• Teck smelter spills chemical solution into Columbia River

Deanesays most of the fine will go to a conservation fund, arguing the company's environmental commitment is getting better.

It's not the first time the company has been hit with a large penalty.In 2013, Teck was fined $210,000 for the release of chemicals into the Columbia River.

The companyalso admitted before a U.S. courtin 2012 that their smelter had been polluting the Columbiafor more than a century, with discharges of hazardous materialdating back to 1896.

Teck has already spent more than $1billion improving its operations in Trail, and remediatingthe surrounding area.