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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, May 21, 1998
Cameco Corporation today confirms that a traffic accident in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia has resulted in a spill of granular sodium cyanide into the Barskoon river. The source of the spill has been contained and monitoring of the river continues in order to assess the environmental impact of the incident. At this time, the impact is believed to be negligible.
The site of the incident is approximately 78 kilometres from the Kumtor gold mine and about 8 kilometres from the small village of Barskoon.
The accident occurred when a truck transporting a container with 20 one-ton packages of cyanide overturned into the river while en route to the Kumtor gold mine. It appears that one of the packages ruptured, spilling some of its contents. The truck and its cargo were removed from the river within six hours of the accident which occurred May 20, 1998 at 12:10 pm local Kyrgyzstan time (00:10 am Saskatoon time.)
The Kumtor gold mine is owned two-thirds by the government of Kyrgyzstan and one-third by Cameco. Kumtor Operating Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cameco, operates the mine, which began production in 1997 and produced 500,000 ounces of gold during its first year of operation.
A translation of the local news release issued by Kumtor Operating Company follows this news release.
For further information, please contact:
Elaine Kergoat
Manager, Media & Public Relations
Cameco Corporation
Phone: (306) 956-6315
Fax: (306) 956-6318
Translated from the original Russian
KUMTOR OPERATING COMPANY
24 IBRAIMOV STREET, BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN 720300
TEL (3312) 42-24-88, 42-22-82 FAX (3312) 62-08-50, 42-48-91
CAMECO TIE:(306)956-64-28
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, May 21, 1998 -- Kumtor Operating Company (KOC) advises that a limited leak of reagents took place yesterday, May 20, 1998, at 12:10 as they were being transported on the Barskoon-Kumtor Road.
One of the five trucks on the convoy, being escorted by Kumtor security, overturned at the approach to the bridge and the container, carrying sodium cyanide, half landed in the Barskoon river about 8 kilometres from the village of Barskoon. The driver of the truck was injured with a broken arm and ankle and at the moment is in the injury department of the Republic Clinical Hospital and his condition does not cause concern.
Immediately after being advised of the incident, first medical aid, cranes, and trailers were sent to the place of the incident from Kumtor Site and the Marshalling Yard in Balykchy. The container with its cargo was removed from the river at 5:36 p.m. and transported directly to Kumtor. The local population and administration and relative State authorities have been notified about the incident.
Water samples for the purpose of establishing the degree of probable pollution of the river were initiated immediately after the arrival of Kumtor employees responsible for environmental protection. Results of the analyses of tests of the water, selected at intervals of 30 minutes, show, that some part of the sodium cyanide entered the river. However, it occurred for a short time only, and with removal of the container the increased levels immediately began to drop. As a preventative measure the water supply to the Barskoon village was shut off with the cooperation of the local authorities.
The environmental impact of the incident is, according to our current knowledge, minimal and is presently being determined in detail. However, there is no on-going threat to the health of people, animals, and agriculture.
Testing of the condition of the Barskoon river will be carried out continuously until it reaches its original quality.
Currently at the Site there works a commission, consisting of representatives of various ministries and various departments and local authorities, including the chairman of Barskon agricultural council Mr. Muhtar Musaev. The results of the work of this commission will be published immediately after investigation of the circumstances of the incident is over.
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Should you have any questions please contact:
Tinara Shaildaeva, Assistant Manager, KOC
(3312) 42-83-05, 42-22-82, 22-63-49