Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Environment has given green light to the Mount Polley Mine to resume full operation and allowed them to use their tailings storage facility. In this way, the staff and management closely worked with regulatory agencies, first nations and the members of the local communities to recommission their tailings storage facility. The tailings storage facility was repaired and buttressed based on the best applicable practices identified by the independent expert engineering investigation and review panel.
Mount Polley is a significant contributor in the region. In this way, the mine provides employment to approximately 350 people and many of them reside in the local community i.e Williams Lake. Mount Polley has demonstrated commitment towards building relations with first nations, local communities and improving the overall environment.
The engineering panel appointed by the B.C government stated that cause of the dam failure was due to design flaw as there was presence of weak glacial soil layer beneath the dam. Moreover, the panel recommended that the dam should have flatter slopes and adequate beaches to provide a buffer between the water and dam.
The design of the embankment was updated based on the investigation of existing TSF embankments and foundation conditions. Based on this investigation, Imperial Metals ensured that the new design will meet or exceed all applicable legislative requirements and guidelines for the tailings dam stability. Moreover, to ensure that the TSF is operated in accordance with best applicable practices on an ongoing basis, Mount Polley appointed an independent engineering review panel in January,2015 to provide ongoing review.
Mount Polley has conducted extensive rehabilitation work in the impacted zone and will continue necessary rehabilitation to revert damages caused due to breach. The constant monitoring has indicated that the environment is recovering rapidly and there are no long last impacts. Furthermore, there will be continuous monitoring of the environment.
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