VANCOUVER – The Government of British Columbia, with the support of the Soda Creek Indian Band (Xats’ull First Nation) and Williams Lake Indian Band, has ordered an independent engineering investigation and inquiry into the Mount Polley tailings pond breach, and independent third-party reviews of all 2014 Dam Safety Inspections for every tailings pond at a permitted mine in the province.
The independent engineering investigation and inquiry is authorized under the Mount Polley Investigation and Inquiry Regulation, issued pursuant to section 8 of the Ministry of Energy and Mines Act. The investigation will be conducted by a panel of experts that will investigate the cause of the Mount Polley Mine Tailings Storage Facility failure, including geotechnical standards, design of the dam, maintenance, regulations, inspections regimes and other matters the panel deems appropriate. This section also provides the panel with the ability to compel evidence and authorizes the Minister to require the company to cover costs of the inquiry.
The independent engineering investigation and inquiry is step one of a two-step process.
First, the independent panel will conduct an investigation and provide recommendations through a final report by Jan. 31, 2015, that will determine why the tailings dam failed.
Second, the panel’s recommendations will be received by government and the Soda Creek Indian Band and Williams Lake Indian Band and then shared with the public, and implemented by government as needed and where appropriate to ensure such an incident never happens again.
The panel members have been appointed by government with the support of the Soda Creek and Williams Lake Indian Bands. The panel members are experienced geotechnical experts with expertise in tailings management facilities. They are:
- Norbert Morgenstern, advisor to consulting engineers
- Steven Vick, geotechnical engineer (Colorado)
- Dirk Van Zyl, professor, University of British Columbia (UBC) Normal B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering
The Soda Creek and Williams Lake Indian Bands were consulted on the terms of reference for the engineering investigation and will have a liaison to the panel. The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC), and the Institute of Mining Engineering at the University of British Columbia also provided input on the panel members.
The chief inspector of mines has also issued an order to all mining companies to conduct a Dam Safety Inspection for every tailings storage facility at a permitted mine by Dec. 1, 2014. Under the order, those inspections must be reviewed by an independent, qualified, third-party, professional engineer from a firm not associated with the tailings facility. All information obtained under this order will be provided to First Nations and made public.
Under the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia, the deadline for annual Dam Safety Inspections would have been March 31, 2015, and would not have required an independent third-party review. The order accelerates the deadline and establishes the requirement for an independent review.
The order also includes a requirement for a third-party review of the dam consequence classifications by Dec. 1, 2014. A dam`s consequence classification is based on the potential impact to population, the environment, cultural values and infrastructure should it fail, and is set according to the Canadian Dam Association Dam Safety Guidelines. Under the order, mines with high, very high or extreme consequence classifications will be required to have their Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans reviewed by an independent third-party.
There are currently 98 permitted tailings impoundments at 60 operating and closed metal and coal mines in B.C.
Quotes:
Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Responsible for Core Review −
“We have a responsibility, as the jurisdiction where this failure took place, to find out exactly why it happened, ensure it never happens again and take a leadership role internationally in learning from this serious incident.”
“Mining is a critical industry in British Columbia, supporting dozens of communities and thousands of families. The independent engineering investigation and third-party reviews of Dam Safety Inspections for every permitted tailings facility in the province will get the answers necessary to provide public confidence following this serious incident.”
Chief Bev Sellars, Soda Creek Indian Band −
“There is no doubt in anyone’s minds that this is the worst mining disaster to ever occur in this province. Our nations and all British Columbians have raised questions as to how such a disaster could occur. With this independent investigation, we will all get the answers we need and deserve. We look forward to receiving the results of the investigation and taking action to ensure an accident like this this never happens again.”
Chief Ann Louie, Williams Lake Indian Band −
“An independent engineering investigation is a crucial process required to understand the cause of this breach. However, it is merely a first step in understanding the broader implications of this disaster. Many questions will remain regarding the long-term impacts to our communities and environment.”
Dirk Van Zyl, professor, UBC, Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, member of independent engineering investigation panel −
“The failure of the tailings facility at Mount Polley was a dark day for the mining industry not only here in British Columbia, but worldwide. It’s extremely important for us to understand how this breach happened and why so that we can move forward with the best possible practices in ongoing and future mining operations.”
Ann English, P.Eng., CEO, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC −
"As the regulator for engineering and geoscience in B.C., we expect resource development projects to be conducted safely and professionally. We are committed to upholding high standards of professional practice for B.C. engineers and geoscientists as they undertake their work. The public has a right to know what happened at Mt. Polley, and it is our hope that the inquiry will bring all the facts to light so we can ensure an accident like this never happens again."
Al Richmond, chair, Cariboo Regional District −
“Our communities, the various agencies, and the Province have responded to this serious incident and are doing everything necessary to protect our residents and return to a sense of normalcy.” We need to get the bottom of why this occurred and ensure it doesn’t happen again. Minister Bennett’s decision to order an independent engineering investigation will find those answers and give all parties confidence in the results.”
Learn More:
For a collection of documents from government and partners surrounding the Mount Polley breach, visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/eemp/incidents/2014/mount-polley.htm
Four backgrounders follow.
Media Contact:
Sandra Steilo
Media Relations
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0617