The federal government wants the operator of a large lead and zinc mine in Northwest Alaska to pay $21,618 for a spill last year that released mine process water into a nearby creek.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a slurry pump at the Red Dog Mine overflowed May 14, 2025. State regulators estimated at the time that up to 400,000 gallons of process water spilled, mostly into containment areas. The mine’s mill uses process water, which regulators said can contain zinc, lead, cadmium and mine tailings.
The EPA said about a thousand gallons reached the Middle Fork of Red Dog Creek.
The mine’s permit only allows it to release wastewater into a designated discharge point. The EPA said the spill violated that permit and the Clean Water Act.
The maximum cap for a single violation of this type is $27,378. Under the proposed settlement, Teck Alaska Inc., the mine’s operator, does not admit or deny the EPA’s allegation, but agrees not to contest or appeal it.
The company certified in the agreement that it has corrected the violation.
Teck did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Teck's last major violation was in 2024. The company paid $429,794 under a settlement with the EPA over hazardous waste violations at the mine’s laboratory.
The EPA is accepting written comments from the public through Oct. 21.
