Government officials in British Columbia have given the green light to a plan to raise the height of the tailings storage facility at the Mount Polley copper and gold mine, following a devastating dam collapse that occurred over ten years ago.
The proposed increase in height, which faced a legal challenge, is part of an expansion project for the mine aimed at extending operations until 2033, safeguarding 430 jobs.
Environment Minister Tamara Davidson and Mining Minister Jagrup Brar have endorsed the plan, permitting the mine to elevate the tailings storage facility’s height by 13 meters, reaching a total dam height of 77 meters.
According to a statement from the Environmental Assessment Office, the ministers determined that the planned modifications are not expected to lead to significant new impacts when compared to the current approved operations.
The Mount Polley mine, located in British Columbia’s Cariboo region, experienced a similar dam collapse in August 2014, resulting in the discharge of approximately 25 million cubic meters of water and tailings into nearby water bodies, marking one of the province’s most severe environmental crises.
Despite a legal battle by the Xat’sull First Nation to halt the dam’s height increase, a B.C. Supreme Court judge rejected their efforts last year, citing alleged lack of proper consultation.
While the project still requires permit amendments under the Mines Act for final approval, the government confirms that the total mine area for Mount Polley will not change, although expanding the dam will enlarge the tailings storage facility by around 28 hectares.
In addressing the Xat’sull First Nation’s concerns, the ministers recognize the ongoing appeal process and the nation’s reservations about the consultation process, citing potential inconsistencies with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Davidson and Brar express confidence in the regulatory mechanisms overseeing the project, assuring that they are equipped to address issues raised by the nation regarding water quality, aquatic life, fish habitat, and the eventual closure and restoration of the site.