Mexican mine failed to report acid spill

A PRIVATE copper mine had the audacity to not report a massive acid spill. And now the acid has flowed into a river that supplies water to thousands of people.

Old Mines

A CIVIL defence official in Mexico says a private mine in northern Mexico did not report a massive acid spill, allowing it to flow into a river that supplies water to tens of thousands of people.

The official says the spill at the copper mine in northern border state of Sonora state was caused by defects in newly constructed leaching ponds.

Sonora state civil defence director Carlos Arias says last week’s spill of about 10 million gallons (40,000 cubic meters) of mining acids was detected by residents downstream.

Arias says tests have revealed the spill contains pollutants like arsenic above acceptable levels. Water supplies from the river have been cut off to about 20,000 people.

The Grupo Mexico company operates the mine, but did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

Originally published as Mexican mine failed to report acid spill