Mine clean-up delay threatens environment

It's now been five years and counting as the territorial and federal governments continue to disagree over who is responsible for the surface clean-up of Giant mine. But officials say there are no immediate environmental threats at the mine.

That's not the case for another mine nearby. From the Ingraham Trail, all that's visible of the Ptarmigan mine is the blue headframe.

But the mine property is littered with every kind of garbage imaginable from old clothes to batteries to heavy machinery. And there's evidence of people living there in tarped shacks.

In 1999 an Indian Affairs inspector triggered a spill investigation when he reported that minewater was flowing into a nearby lake. Five years later, it's still flowing into the lake.

The outcome of the discussion over the clean-up of Giant Mine will determine which government will pay for the surface clean-up of Ptarmigan.

• FROM MAY 23, 2003: Squabble stalls mine clean-ups in NWT