Cause of tailings pond breach at gold mine unknown, total ban put on water use

NEWS — A complete water use ban continues in effect in the area around the copper-gold Mount Polley Mine’s tailings pond tonight (Monday) near the community of Likely in the Cariboo.

The ban affects about 300 people so far but does not apply to other communities on the Fraser River. Reports said the tailings pond contains as much as five billion cubic metres of waste water.

The Cariboo Regional District declared the indefinite ban after it was discovered a breach in the tailings pond had occurred during the night early Monday. A helicopter reconnaissance of the area recorded the scene on video and found that a small amount of debris had backed into nearby Polley Lake while the main slurry flow went down Hazletine Creek where it meets Quesnel Lake.

The regional district said the slurry and a large debris pile appeared to be stationary but Hazleton Creek had swollen from its normal four-ft. width to 150 ft.

“Waterways affected by this event include Quesnel lake, Polley Lake, Hazeltine Creek and Cariboo Creek. Additionally the Horsefly Likely Forest Service road (Ditch Road) has been washed out at Hazeltine Creek. The Likely Bridge is not affected at this time.”

The CRD said shortly after 8 p.m. Monday that the area near the pond breach area remained unstable, especially at the base of the debris flow. “People are strongly advised to stay away from this area on foot, by vehicle or by boat.”

The regional district, Interior Health, Emergency Management B.C. and Central Cariboo Search and Rescue were coordinating efforts to assess the extent and impacts of the breach. A chemical analysis of the affected waterways is expected within the next two days.

The IHA had not posted any information on the breach as of Monday night.

“People living in, or travelling through the affected area are advised that a complete water use ban is in effect until further notice,” the CRD stated. “This includes water recreational activities, drinking, cook, bathing, etc. Only use bottled water until further notice.”

Details on the cause of the breach weren’t available. Imperial Metals, the owner of the open-pit Mount Polley Mine, issued this statement today (Monday):

“Imperial Metals Corporation (TSX:III) reports the tailings storage facility at its Mount Polley mine was breached, releasing an undetermined amount of water and tailings in the early morning of Aug. 4. The cause of the breach is unknown at this time.

“Senior company management are at the mine site and are working with mine operating personnel, local agencies, provincial ministry officials and the engineers of record to assess the extent of the breach and the impact of the released water and tailings on the surrounding area.

“The Company will provide further information when confirmed and available.”

Mount Polley Mine produced 38.5 million lbs. of copper and 45,000 oz. of gold last year. It also operates the Sterling gold mine in Nevada and is developing the Red Chris copper-gold property in B.C.