05:00 PM EDT, 06/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- An internal rock collapse at a gold mine in the Yukon was a major factor in the collapse of a gold processing plant operated by Victoria Gold Corp ( VITFF ), the Globe and Mail has learned, it is reporting on this Wednesday afternoon.

Whitehorse-based Victoria Gold ( VITFF ) on Monday said that its heap leach pad had failed, and that part of the plant had breached its containment region, raising the possibility of environmental damage from cyanide leakage. The company did not say what caused the heap leach pad to fail, but images circulated online indicated a significant rock collapse in the plant.

A source familiar with the situation said that the rockslide wasn't an external, naturally occurring event, but one that started when a giant stack of rocks within the heap leach facility containing gold ore collapsed.

The Globe and Mail is not identifying the source because the person was not authorized to speak publicly.

John McConnell, chief executive of Victoria Gold ( VITFF ) did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

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