Crews investigate suspicious chemical dump near Shawnigan Lake, B.C.

Crews are working to contain and identify a suspicious chemical that was discovered on a mine and reclamation site lot on Vancouver Island today.

South Island Resource Management crews found a large area of snow stained with a substance to the west of the site’s water treatment plant and settling pond on Lot 23 on 460 Stebbings Road in Shawnigan Lake.

The Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Mines and RCMP were notified of the chemical dump.

Emergency spill response procedures are being followed by the crews and they will be reviewing security footage to determine who is responsible for the vandalism.

“Whoever deposited this chemical has a disregard for the environment” said South Island Resource Management co-owner Todd Mizuik in a written statement.

“I believe this is a deliberate attempt interfere with our legitimate and permitted business.”

Samples of the chemical substance were taken and forwarded to an independent laboratory for evaluation and results will be publicized when known.