Published 8:56 am Friday, September 25, 2026 By Jill Westerman Northern News Services A 205-litre fuel spill at a remote mineral exploration site northwest of Arviat has reportedly been cleaned up, but a federal inspector has yet to visit the site to verify the work. The spill reportedly occurred on Sept. 5, when a fuel drum being carried by a helicopter fell from a sling during transport, according to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC). All of the drum’s contents spilled on the ground, CIRNAC spokesperson Eric Head stated. The Government of the Northwest Territories’ public spill database shows 205 litres of petroleum fuel as having spilled from a drum or barrel, contaminating an estimated five square metres of land. CIRNAC is listed as the lead agency responsible for the file. The database currently identifies the cause of the spill as a “collision or crash,” however, information provided to Kivalliq News by CIRNAC refers to weather-related damage in connection with the incident. Head said the helicopter was being directed by 6106 Resources Limited as part of an exploration project. The Calgary-based company lists its Hook Lake property, 137 km northwest of Arviat, as bearing gold, silver, copper and zinc mineralization. The GNWT database identifies the spill location as Arviat but describes the site as 4.5 km southwest of Carr Lake, Rankin Inlet. CIRNAC, however, told Kivalliq News that the remote spill site in question is approximately 100 kilometres northwest of Arviat. The geolocation is listed as 61.97, -95.74. CIRNAC says the company responded to the spill, and the cleanup has been reported as complete. The department could not provide an estimate of how much of the spilled fuel itself was recovered. Head said the response instead involved removing the fuel and contaminated materials, including affected soil, earth and absorbent material, for appropriate disposal. CIRNAC hasn’t yet independently verified that cleanup through an inspection of the site. “A CIRNAC inspector has not yet attended the site because of its remote location,” Head said. “The departmental inspector will verify the situation in-person to confirm cleanup is completed.” Based on the information currently available to the department, CIRNAC said the fuel did not enter water, wetlands or drainage areas, and no impacts to water quality, fish, wildlife, vegetation or surrounding land have been identified. “The spill was relatively small, and the company responded promptly to address the incident and mitigate potential environmental risks,” Head said. “CIRNAC will continue to follow up through its regulatory and inspection processes.” No environmental sampling results or additional monitoring information was available when CIRNAC responded to Kivalliq News. Head said an inspector is reviewing information related to the incident and any additional information that emerges will be considered as part of CIRNAC’s assessment. The spill reportedly occurred on Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. and was entered into the public spill system at 8 p.m. the following day. Head said spills falling under CIRNAC’s jurisdiction are subject to reporting, cleanup and follow-up requirements. For now, the federal department’s review remains open, pending further assessment and an in-person inspection. “An inspector will verify and confirm the cleanup in person, and CIRNAC will continue to assess the incident through its regulatory and compliance processes,” said Head.
205-litre fuel spill at remote Kivalliq exploration site awaits inspection
