Quebec mining company fined $400,000 for Environmental violations

Seleine Mines violated environmental law by illegally dumping hazardous materials into the sea

Today, Seleine Mines, a division of K+S Windsor Salt Ltd., was fined a total of $400,000 after pleading guilty to four counts of violating subsection 125(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

An investigation by Environment Canada revealed that the company had disposed of dredged material on four occasions between August 10 and 14, 2014, outside of the disposal area authorized by the disposal at sea permit issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Disposal at sea is prohibited unless a permit is issued by Environment and Canada’s Disposal at Sea Program. Only a short list of non-hazardous wastes can be considered for disposal. A permit’s conditions on quantities of waste, disposal sites, and special precautionary measures are designed to ensure that the disposal is the most practical and environment-friendly option.

As a result of this conviction, the company’s name will be added to the Environmental Offenders Registry.

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