Why did Mount Polley fail?
An investigation into the cause of the spill revealed mine engineers failed to account for glacial silt underneath the tailings containment pond, leading to structural insufficiencies that caused the dam’s collapse. No charges or fines have been laid in response to the disaster.
What happened at Mount Polley?
Summary. A tailings dam failure at the Mount Polley Mine occurred on August 4, 2014 resulting in the loss of about 17 million cubic meters of water and 8 million cubic meters of tailings/materials into Polley Lake, Hazeltine Creek and Quesnel Lake having significant impact.
Who owns the Mount Polley mine?
Mount Polley Mining Corporation
Mount Polley mine is owned and operated by Mount Polley Mining Corporation (MPMC), a subsidiary of Imperial.
Is Mount Polley mine open?
Mount Polley is planning to reopen in the Spring of 2022 to meet the global demand of copper and gold. The Mount Polley Mining Corporation estimates that the reopening of the mine will add 300 local jobs….Mount Polley mine.
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1997 |
| Closed | 2019 |
| Owner | |
| Company | Imperial Metals Corporation |
What did engineers and Geoscientists BC do wrong at Mount Polley?
Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia, the regulatory and licensing body for the professions of engineering and geoscience in BC, has concluded its disciplinary proceedings against three individuals in relation to their work at the Mount Polley Mine.
What happened to the Mount Polley mine?
A tailings dam failure at the Mount Polley Mine occurred on August 4, 2014 resulting in the loss of about 17 million cubic meters of water and 8 million cubic meters of tailings/materials into Polley Lake, Hazeltine Creek and Quesnel Lake having significant impact.
What has been done to clean up the Mount Polley disaster?
Following the Mount Polley mine disaster, a local state of emergency was declared for the Cariboo Regional District over drinking water contamination concerns. Clean up efforts have led to a reconstructed Hazeltine Creek, although the contaminated slurry that made its way into Polley Lake and Quesnel Lake remains in the waterways.