Venus Mine Legacy Site Remediation
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Location
The site of the former Venus processing plant and tailings is located on the shore of Windy Arm (Tagish Lake), about 15 minutes (or 22 kilometres) from Carcross toward Skagway, Alaska, within the Traditional Territory of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation (C/TFN).
Site History and Environmental Context
Mining at the Venus site began in 1904, with operations running 1904–1912 and 1916–1920, then resuming 1966–1971 and 1979–1981. The ore (mainly gold) was crushed and chemically processed, and the tailings were deposited on site. A tailings storage facility was constructed in the 1960s; approximately 57,000 tonnes of tailings remain on site.
In mid-1990s, during the closure work, an impermeable cover, a groundwater cut-off (Waterloo barrier), and a drainage system were installed to limit metal leaching and improve long-term stability.
Ongoing site monitoring has identified arsenic and cadmium as key contaminants of concern, with lead and other metals also present. The site is under the care and maintenance of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and is funded through the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan.
Areas of Environmental Concern
- Tailings Impoundment
- Former Processing Plant Area
- Tagish Slopes
- Tailings-Affected Area
- Klondike Slopes
- Tagish Lake
Environmental and Health Concerns
Primary Contaminants: arsenic and lead; secondary metals include cadmium, zinc, copper, manganese, and others.
Human health: Unacceptable risk from incidental ingestion of arsenic and lead in soil (Former Operational Area). Recreational use and gathering of traditional foods or medicinal products are not recommended. Arsenic in surface water (Tagish Lake, Ditch Creek) is a concern for drinking-water exposure.
Ecological Risks: Terrestrial wildlife, plants, and invertebrates at risk from arsenic (Tagish and Klondike Slopes). Aquatic life in Tagish Lake at risk from arsenic, lead, cadmium, and zinc in sediment; arsenic in surface water is a key driver. Ditch Creek: potential risk to aquatic invertebrates from arsenic in surface water.
Priorities and Next Steps
The Venus Mine tailings site is undergoing long-term remediation and safe community use. Current priorities and planned actions include:
Implemented Safety Measures:
- Posted signage advising against drinking surface water (Tagish Lake, Ditch Creek) and asking populations to avoid contact with exposed sediments.
- Trails and recreational access have been rerouted.
Soil and Habitat Remediation:
- Soil remediation in Former Operational Area to address arsenic and lead.
- Additional soil, sediment, and water sampling to delineate contamination and refine remediation plans.
Aquatic Investigation:
- Detailed aquatic risk assessment for Tagish Lake and Ditch Creek.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Maintain frequent monitoring of soil, groundwater, and surface water to track conditions and evaluate remediation effectiveness.
- Assess environmental risks to help set priorities for future clean-up activities.
Community Engagement and Capacity Building:
- Consult with Carcross/Tagish First Nation on an ongoing basis to incorporate Traditional Knowledge and validate scenarios.
- Enhance community capacity to ensure ongoing environmental stewardship through regional training programs.
Remediation Planning:
- A final remediation plan has not yet been selected. Findings from ongoing studies and community input will guide the choice of culturally appropriate technical solutions and restoration measures.
- Evaluation of remediation options, including shoreline stabilization and soil management.
- Risk assessments to inform decision-making.
- WSP (a global engineering and consulting firm) is developing remediation options and will be presented to CIRNAC and C/TFN in early 2026 for review and consideration.
Collaborative Governance
In July 2025, CIRNAC and C/TFN signed a Governance Agreement and 2 committees were established to provide oversight on the project; the Governance Committee and the Operations Committee.
The Carcross/Tagish Development Corporation’s Haa Chάli Limited Partnership leads much of the technical work, creating local employment and training opportunities in the region.
Yukon Devolution Transfer Agreement
Under the 2003 Devolution Transfer Agreement, Venus is classified as a Contained Site. Canada retains management and funding obligations for Contained Sites, while Yukon holds responsibilities for other categories (Type roman numeral 2 and Waste Sites). Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) continues to work with the Government of Yukon and C/TFN to ensure the site is safely managed and in accordance with Indigenous Knowledge.
Venus Mine – Key Timeline
December 2025 – Terms of Reference and Closure Goals and Objectives approved, Engineering Contract Signed
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and C/TFN held their first Governance Committee meeting to review and ratify Terms of Reference and Closure goals and objectives.
C/TFN Development Corporation (CTEC) – following a competitive tender process, CTEC awarded the first phases of engineering for closure to WSP Global Inc.
July 2025 – Governance Agreement Signed
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and CTEC signed a Governance Agreement to guide ongoing remediation planning and incorporate C/TFN Traditional Knowledge and community priorities.
May 2025 – Remedial Options Analysis
WSP produced a report that evaluated a range of remedial approaches for the site. Three of the more promising approaches received a Class 5 cost estimate.
March 2025 – Preliminary Quantitative Risk Assessment (PQRA)
WSP completed a comprehensive risk assessment for the former Venus Mill and Tailings site. The study confirmed unacceptable risks to human health and the environment from arsenic and lead in soil and from arsenic in surface water (Tagish Lake and Ditch Creek), and recommended soil remediation, further sediment and water studies, and public-safety signage.
2019–2024 – Community Engagement and Site Studies
C/TFN and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada undertook community engagement sessions and Traditional Knowledge studies, including edible plant sampling and conceptual site modelling, to further the objectives of restoring safe traditional harvesting and recreation.
2012–2014 – Phase roman numeral 3 Environmental Site Assessment: Drilling, sampling, monitoring wells, and water quality analysis.
2010 – Phase roman numeral 1 Environmental Site Assessment: Historic review and inspections.
1995–96 – Tailings Impoundment Closure Work
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada installed an impermeable cover and groundwater cut-off (Waterloo barrier), added a drainage culvert to Ditch Creek, and built a buttress to improve geotechnical stability and limit metal leaching.
1979–1981 – Final Mining Phase
Operations resumed with a second mill processing about 65,000 tonnes of ore; a tailings storage facility was constructed and discharged water to Tagish Lake through a decantation system.
1966–1971 – Mining Restart
The site reopened for gold and silver milling, further expanding the tailings footprint.
1904–1920 – Original Mining Era
First mill operations crushed and chemically treated ore, releasing an unknown quantity of tailings into Tagish Lake.
Ongoing Investigations (present and past)
Routine test pitting, surface- and groundwater monitoring, and long-term sampling continue to track site conditions.