(Google Earth) The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation reported the spill of up to 400,000 gallons of water used at a large lead and zinc mine in Northern Alaska early Wednesday.

An estimated 100 to 1,000 gallons of the water spilled onto the tundra and into Red Dog Creek, which is no longer frozen, the agency said in an initial report. The mine is operated by Teck Alaska.

Alaska and federal officials responded Wednesday to a large spill of treated water used in operations at one of the world’s largest zinc mines. Based on an initial estimate, up to 400,000 ...