An Alberta judge is reported to have disapproved the arguments made by energy giant Syncrude Canada Ltd. that the accusations against it stemming from the deaths of 1,600 plus ducks in 2008 should be done away with.

However, the lawyer for Syncrude cites that if the firm is convicted of breaching federal and provincial environment laws, oilsands industry will automatically have to suffer.

Syncrude is reported to face an accusation of federal and provincial charges alleged to be associated with the death of 1,600 ducks, which got trapped in one of the oil company's tailings ponds north of Fort McMurray, Alta., in April 2008.

After nine week period in a St. Albert courtroom, an Alberta provincial court judge rejected the company’s claim that the statute didn’t apply because Syncrude was authorized to control the 12-square-kilometre Aurora oilsands tailings — or toxic waste — pond near Fort McMurray, Alta.

“I do not accept the interpretation that so long as the animals moved into the hazardous substance it has contaminated itself,” he quoted.

However, White gainsaid that the Crown has not explained the environmental charges imposes and asked for them to be dismissed.