Another Toxic Mine Spill Is Reported in Mexico teleSUR
go to original October 19, 2014

Authorities assess the extent of the spill. (teleSUR)

A retention dam breaks in a gold and silver mine in Mexico's northern state of Sinaloa, causing nearly 11,000 tons of toxic material to pollute nearby rivers.

Roughly 10,800 tons of toxic material from the “Two Gentlemen” mine in the northern Mexican state of Sinaloa leaked into the Chupaderos stream, which flows into the Baluarte River in the town of Concordia, local authorities reported Friday.

State and federal authorities have taken emergency measures to prevent wastes pollutants from contaminating ground water and affecting inhabitants of the region.

According to officials a retention dam was breached at the mine which primarily extracts gold and silver.

The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa), said the discharge of the the toxic materials occurred Thursday morning due to a "collapse" at the mine’s dam, however the agency was not notified until three hours later. The composition of the toxic materials has yet to be disclosed.

In a statement, the agency explained that the chemical material has thus far covered a distance of 900 meters down the slope of the outside of the dam, which is located just north of the Sinaloan  capital Culiacan, some 900 miles north of Mexico City.

Read the rest at teleSUR

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