The approval of the long-term water management plan for Mount Polley means the mine can continue to operate providing 350 well-paying jobs in the region, Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett announced today.  

“With the approval of its long-term water management plan, the Mount Polley Mine has met its requirements to government and it can continue operations,” Bennett said. “I know this is welcome news for the communities of Likely, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and the families that depend on the jobs the mine provides.”

The long-term water management plan for the Mount Polley mine site was approved today by an independent statutory-decision maker from the Ministry of Environment. It is expected to be fully in place by fall 2017 and will replace the short-term water management plan that has been in place since Nov. 30, 2015.

“Continued operations at Mount Polley Mine means well-paying jobs for the hundreds of individuals employed at the mine and numerous indirect jobs and economic benefits for communities in the Cariboo,” said Minister of State for Rural Economic Development and MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin Donna Barnett. “This mine generates an enormous amount of economic activity that benefits numerous other businesses in our communities – everything from coffee shops, pubs and restaurants to car dealerships, home builders and plumbers.”

Prior to approval, the company’s permit application underwent extensive public consultation, including First Nations and local communities, as well as a full technical review from the Cariboo Mine Development Review Committee.

“The permit is good news for the employees of Mount Polley,” said Paul French, president, USW Local 1-425. “I'm glad that the requirements for the permit were met. I want to thank Minister Barnett for pushing both management of Mount Polley and the government ministries to get the job done correctly.”

Learn More:

Mount Polley’s permit amendment application and supporting Technical Assessment Report can be found at: http://ow.ly/i1nM30aFlZh

The statutory decision-maker takes into account all comments and feedback received when making a final decision on a permit application and may incorporate certain conditions into the permit accordingly. The complete reasons for decision can be found at: http://ow.ly/xXjF30aFugC

An infographic of how water will be treated and an overview diagram of the mine site are available at: http://ow.ly/qeCL30aFupP