Canada's Imperial Metals Corp faces huge cleanup costs after a major spill at its Mount Polley mine that may force the miner to sell part of a prized new asset unless its biggest shareholder steps in to help, bankers and industry executives said. Imperial is on the hook for cleanup costs related to the spill, which sent billions of gallons of sludge containing metals and minerals coursing into waterways last week.Analysts said costs could range from C$50 million to C$500 million, once a proper assessment is made on the impact of one of Canada's worst mine spills in decades.The mine, which produced 38.5 million pounds of copper and 45,800 ounces of gold last year, has been shut indefinitely.Debt rating agency Moody's warned on Friday it was concerned the miner may not have the liquidity to absorb the financial impact of the spill.
Imperial Metals Corporation is engaged in the exploration, development and production of base and precious metals from its mineral properties. Shares of III traded higher by 1.54% or $0.16/share to $10.52. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $9.06 and as high as $18.63. On average, 86105 shares of III.TO exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 332265.
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