The Canadian mining company Teck Metals has admitted in U.S. District Court that it polluted the Columbia River near the Washington border in the past century.

The statement Monday is part of a lawsuit brought against the company by the state and the Colville Confederated Tribes. The company argues it is not subject to U.S. law.

The Spokesman-Review reports (http://is.gd/W2g67t) that while the company is fighting the lawsuit it has worked with the tribes and state regulators on how best to manage pollution from it smelter at Trail, British Columbia, about six miles north of the border.

---

Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com