Photo: file photo

Testing on the Tulameen River in 2013

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service is announcing convictions of two men connected to the 2013 coal waste spill in the Tulameen River.

Mine manager Allan McGowan pleaded guilty last week to introducing waste into the environment causing pollution, and was fined $10,000, with $9,900.00 going to the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund for fish habitat work in the Okanagan region.

The mine manager designate, Rocky Leong, pleaded guilty to introducing business related waste into the environment, and received the same penalty.

The spill occurred on Aug. 24, 2013 near Coalmont when the Coalmont Energy Corp. discharged about 60 cubic metres of mine waste into the Tulameen River due to a breach in the mine waste containment area.

The spill caused the Tulameen River to run black, alarming local residents, but left no impact on area drinking water.

Although charges were initially laid, they are not being pursued against the now-bankrupt Coalmont Energy Corp.