Toxic cocktail anyone?

Coogan, TP, Latta, DM, Snow, ET, Costa, M. Toxicity and carcinogenicity of nickel compounds, In: McClellan RO, editor. Critical reviews in toxicology, vol. 19. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1989. p. 341-84. 

Drugs.com. Drugs Information Online. Magnesium Oxide.
<http://www.drugs.com/mtm/magnesium-oxide.html>

Ghaffari, H. 2012. Ajax Copper/Gold Project- Kamloops, British Columbia Feasibility Study Technical Report. Wardrop, Vancouver, British Columbia. <http://www.amemining.com/i/pdf/2012_01_06_Feasibility_Study_Ajax.pdf >

Young, M. 2011. Future impact: residents and City wants answers about operation. The Kamloops Daily News. Kamloops, British Columbia.
<http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/article/20110802/KAMLOOPS23/110729808/-1/kamloops23/future-impact-residents-and-city-want-answers-about-operation>

Snyder, L. and Russell, J.K. 1993. Petrology and Stratigraphic setting of the Kamloops Lake picritic basalts, Quesnellia Terrane, South-Central B.C. British Columbia Geological Survey Branch: Geological Fieldwork 1993.
<http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Geoscience/PublicationsCatalogue/Fieldwork/Documents/1993/297-310-snyder.pdf>

Figure 1. Toxic compound sign. Get used to seeing it. 

On principle, I don’t typically have issues with what people tend to do with the piece of property that they legally own. But, like most people, I draw a fine line and voice my opinion when Jiminy Cricket pipes up. The topic of today’s issue revolves around the recently proposed, yet not operational, Ajax Mine. For everyone reading this who may not be in Conservation Biology 4160, the Ajax Mine is to be a copper and gold, open-pit mine that is to be 2500 hectares large (Ghaffari, 2012). You may be thinking “Oh that’s economically beneficial and kudos for supplying those jobs during an economic catastrophy”, but at what cost are we supplying these jobs? The Ajax Mine is to be located on top of the Iron Mask pre-existing mine site a mere 1.75 km from the nearest existing residential homes (Young, 2011). Not only does the reintroduction of a mine mean direct habitat loss, noise complications with closely located residents, the potential extirpation of threatened species, and expected dust showers daily. But also the toxic side effects to not only us, but the animals and plant life that will be coexisting with us. 

Figure 2. Proposed ariel map of Ajax Mine. 

In 1993 a geological minerals composition survey was performed on many location spots in the Kamloops area (Snyder and Russell, 1993). Jacko Lake Area and Iron Mask Area were both positive for containing an element NiO; Nickel(II) Oxide. Typically what is done is that the nickel oxide is dug up and then is heated with either carbon or carbon monoxide or hydrogen yielding it to a metallic nickel. The not so fun part occurs when NiO is not transformed after is it dug up and before it is blown into the surrounding air. The side effects of long term exposure, say 23 years, to NiO includes damage to the lungs, resulting in lesions and in severe cases cancer (Coogan, TP et al, 1989). Studies have shown that both humans and animals alike are effected negatively to nickel. Also, Cr2O3, a trivalent chromium was found in the mineral composition. This elements is absorbed poorly by inhalation and intact skin contact. But, if this compound were to enter into your systemic circulation toxic effects may develop. Personally something I wouldn’t choose to risk. MgO, Magnesium oxide, was present as well. This mineral is termed “slightly hazardous” because it causes skin irritation and eye irritation. It is also hazardous if inhaled or ingested. Patients who overdoes on magnesium oxide are to seek emergency medical attention due to syptoms of nausea, vomiting, flushing, low blood pressure, low heartbeat, drowsiness, coma and DEATH (drugs.com). The toxins mentioned here only scrape the surface of what may harm us. There is a whole other ball field for the toxins that may seep into our water supply, but that is for another day.

So I will leave you blog follows with this thought provoking question:
Is it not better to consider the worse before it has happened so that we can consider all options and opportunities to compensate for the it; than to just “hope for the best” and deal with the worst when it has come? Preventative measures are surely lost and meaningless when preparation is not expressed or even considered.

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