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The Clinton Creek Asbestos Mine is located approximately 100 km northwest of Dawson City. The Mine was operated by the Cassiar Asbestos Corporation Limited from October 1967 until August of 1978.
The mine consists of three open pits: Porcupine was the largest, followed by Snowshoe and Creek Pit. Two waste rock piles, Porcupine Creek pile and Clinton Creek pile are located on the south side of Clinton Creek.
In 1974, 60 million tonnes of the Clinton Creek waste rock pile broke and resulted in a slide that blocked both the valley and the creek, causing the water to build up and form a lake. This body of water, Hudgeon Lake, now covers over 115 hectares about the same size as 150 football fields and in places is up to 25 metres deep.
Clinton Creek and Wolverine Creek have eroded both the tailings piles and waste rock pile. This drastically altered the fish habitat in upper Clinton Creek and Wolverine Creek.
During operation, the mill emptied 10 million tonnes of tailings onto the slope above the Wolverine Creek valley. The tailings have now slid down the slope and partially blocked the water flow of Wolverine Creek. This has resulted in the creation of two small ponds.
In 2003 after Devolution, Government of Yukon took over responsibility for the management of this mine site with Government of Canada providing the funding. Government of Yukon continues to manage the site by monitoring the overall environment in and around the mine site.
The majority of this work is being contracted to both Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation and Dawson City businesses.
Contact Us:
Assessment and Abandoned Mines
Mail: Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6
Phone: 867.393.7429
Fax: 867.456.6780
Email: yukonabandonedmines@gov.yk.ca