Canadian miner Teck reports spill at Columbia River smelter

Canadian diversified miner Teck Resources Ltd is investigating another spill at its Trail smelting complex in British Columbia, but said on Sunday it does not expect the incident to have a long-term impact on fish or the environment. Up to 25 cubic meters (883 cubic feet) of a solution containing some sodium hydroxide was released into a sewer line on Tuesday, Teck said in a statement. Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive chemical that when concentrated can burn and blister skin. “Initial information indicates that the sewage treatment plant process may have diluted the high pH solution somewhat but otherwise had a limited effect,” Teck spokesman Richard Deane said in an email on Sunday.