Revised Final Environmental Study Report (24 MB) - Gold Canyon ...

Page 32
1. With the exception of one sample at one sampling event that exceeded cadmium when
concentrations were compared to PWQO, no heavy metals, or metals in general, exceeded
PWQO values in Springpole Lake. Mercury exceedances were observed in three samples; one
sample from Birch Lake and two samples taken during two different sampling periods in
Seagrave Lake. Iron concentrations were found to be elevated at one sampling location in the
unnamed pond located west of the project camp and at one sampling location located in
Seagrave Lake. Evidence of heavy metals would be found routinely in Springpole Lake if drilling
were indeed releasing heavy metals onto surface water. Drilling activities in Springpole Lake
cannot affect an up-gradient Lake, as metal movement through a water system does not flow
up-gradient. Birch Lake is located up-gradient from Springpole Lake. Given the size of
Springpole Lake and the distance between the location of the drilling activities and the location
where the sample with high mercury was collected, a gradient of mercury concentrations should
be observed and not just one sample located a very long distance from the drilling activities.
2. Results for the toxicity testing at Springpole Lake are not required for the road corridor
activities. The collection of water samples for toxicity testing was to gather a baseline result
that can be then used as a benchmark for mine activities under the metal mining effluent
regulations (MMER). It should also be noted that a pass/fail is the first step in environmental
sciences to determine if water has potential for toxicity. Springpole Lake is considered a pristine
Lake, and therefore it was expected that conditions at this lake are capable of supporting a
healthy aquatic ecosystem. The aquatics report should be read in conjunction with the fisheries
report that shows that Springpole Lake has a healthy population of fish, with walleye capable of
living up to 18 years and reaching lengths of 58 cm. Toxicity testing for the purposes of
industrial effluents or receiving waters need to follow methodology approved by Environment
Canada (http://www.ec.gc.ca/faunescience-wildlifescience/default.asp?lang=En&n=0BB80E7B-
1). Moreover, the toxicity testing suggested by TFTO are used for testing of individual chemicals
for human use or for human exposure. These studies are usually conducted by: 1) the study and
observation of people during normal use of a substance or from accidental exposure, 2)
experimentally, by exposing animals to specific compounds and 3) experimentally using cell
cultures, that could be human, animal or plant derived. For fish and invertebrates there are no
approved methodology that can be used to evaluate toxicity in their environment, unless there
is a clear chemical of concern. The results of the water sampling at Springpole Lake shows that
one sample in the whole lake had an exceedance in cadmium. For this element to be considered
for further toxicity testing, cadmium concentrations should be demonstrate to be high in more
than just on sample and at one time point.
3. As mentioned in the response for Page 32, Comment 2, the results of the limited toxicity testing
will be used as a benchmark result to compare toxicity data collected once mining activities
result in the production and release of effluent. Effluent as well as the receiving waters will be
Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Response to TFTO Submission for Springpole Access Corridor Final ESR
April 2013 Schedule 2/- 35-