Ministers consent to raise Mt. Polley tailings dam four metres

The British Columbia government has officially consented to a four-meter increase in the tailings pond dam at the Mt. Polley Copper-Gold Mine, a decision made by the ministers of Environment and Parks and Mining and Critical Minerals. This order follows an extensive review by the Environmental Assessment Office, which determined that the increase would not produce significant new environmental impacts. This decision is particularly important given the mine's history, marked by a catastrophic dam breach in 2014 that caused serious environmental damage. The ministers confirmed that safety evaluations conducted by independent geotechnical experts supported the increase.

While the dam height has been approved, the mine's broader expansion plans are still under assessment, with no final decisions regarding operations beyond 2031. The Mt. Polley Mine has been in operation since 1997 and has undergone significant regulatory changes since the 2014 incident. The approval aligns with the current Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in B. C.

, ensuring compliance with updated safety standards. Consultation with local First Nations has also been integral to the review process, reflecting a commitment to community engagement.