Mount Polley mine owner served with search warrants
by The Canadian Press
An independent report, released last week, blamed poor dam design for the huge tailings dam breach
VANCOUVER—The owner of British Columbia’s Mount Polley mine confirms it has been served with search warrants as an investigation continues into the failure of a dam and possible Fisheries Act breaches.
The dam’s collapse in the early hours of Aug. 4 last year sent 24 million cubic metres of wastewater gushing into nearby lakes and streams.
An independent report, released last week, blamed poor dam design for the collapse at the open pit gold and copper mine owned by Imperial Metals Corp.
It said building the mine’s tailings site on a sloped glacial lake failed to account for drainage and erosion.
The company says warrants were served at its head and Mount Polley offices yesterday, officials co-operated and the process is a normal means of investigation.
First Nations leaders are also urging the B.C. government to adopt each of the seven recommendations laid out in the review of the Mount Polley mine disaster.
