Benson Lake is a small but very deep coastal mountain lake. It is situated in the coastal western hemlock zone on the northern end of Vancouver Island. From August 1962 through January 1973, the Benson Lake Coast Copper Mine operated on this lake. They disposed of their mine tailings by depositing them, under permit, into the deep basin of the lake. As a result, the lake was occasionally subjected to extended periods of increased lake turbidity levels. Furthermore, the tailings smothered the lake’s sediments, and this destroyed all traces of invertebrate life.
These increased turbidities were also found in the Lower Benson River. This also resulted in elevated levels of zinc in the water and in the flesh of fish taken from the lake.
In 1973, Cominco Ltd. ceased operations, and all dumping of tailings in the lake ceased. Testing of the lake, conducted 10 months later, found that tailings material in the lake’s waters had settled down and that Benson Lake’s clarity had returned to normal conditions. Also, the increased levels of zinc in the lake’s water had subsided. However, it was noted that the bottom of the lake was still devoid of any invertebrate life.
In September 1990, more than 17 years after the mine closed, it was found that Benson Lake now showed little evidence of the fact that it was the recipient of mine waste.
The fishing in the lake is now good to great, and the fish show no signs of increased levels of pollution in their flesh, but there is still an increase in levels of zinc in their livers. Personally, l would only catch and release the fish in this lake. The camping on the lake is great, and there is plenty of wildlife here to keep your camera clicking.
My first job was at Benson Lake Underground mine in 1966. A friend worked there and he got the office staff to fiddle my application as I was only 17.
Spent a year there and went home to finish school.
I worked on the surface crew and we did anything required from maintenance to cutting steak in the carpentry shop. It was a great experience and I met a lot of very interesting characters.
Hi my dad worked there his name was ken hustwick he worked for cominco
Hello Barbara. Regarding Cominco, my Father Glen Brown worked as the supervisor of the ore haul from Cominco’s Benson lake mine. They hauled both iron and copper concentrate to the beach camp ocean dock near Port McNeill during the mines operation.
I do remember your family name. I didn’t know your father Ken that you spoke of in your message, as I was too young then, but I went to school in Port McNeill at that time. In my class was a Patricia Hustwick. She must be related to you? It’s been over 60 years now since the mine closed but I will always remember her at that time. It was in grade 4 and 5 maybe also 6, I think. To this day I am still living in Port McNeill. Hope you are both well.