Independent Review of Mount Polley Breach Announced

Photo Credit: Imperial Metals Inc

B.C.’s Minister of Energy and Mines has announced an independent review of the dam breach at the Mount Polley Mine in northern B.C.

With the support of the Soda Creek Indian Band and the Williams Lake Indian Band, an independent engineering investigation and inquiry into the tailings pond breach will be conducted. As well a third party review of all 2014 Dam Safety Inspections for every tailings pond in the province will be conducted. The investigation will be conducted by a panel of experts that will investigate the cause of the failure at Mount Polley which saw 10 million cubic litres of mine waste flow into local waterways and lakes on August 4^th.

Mount Polley Mine Dam Breach (Photo Credit: File Photo)

The two step process will begin with the formal investigation and recommendations to determine while the tailings dam failed, with that information to be submitted no later than January 31^st, 2015. Second, the information will be received by the government and two Indian Band and then shares with the public to ensure such an incident never happens again.

“We have a responsibility, as the jurisdiction where this failure took place, to find out exactly why it happened, ensure it never happens again and take a leadership role internationally in learning from this serious incident,” said Minister Bill Bennett. “Mining is a critical industry in British Columbia, supporting dozens of communities and thousands of families. The independent engineering investigation and third-party reviews of Dam Safety Inspections for every permitted tailings facility in the province will get the answers necessary to provide public confidence following this serious incident.”

Mount Polley Mine Dam Breach (Photo Credit: File Photo)

There are currently 98 permitted tailings impoundments at 60 operating and closed metal and coal mines in B.C.