Statutory decision-makers with the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Environment have authorized an amendment of the restricted operations permits for Mount Polley Mining Corporation, allowing the mine to extract an additional one million tonnes of ore.
The amendments to the Mines Act and Environmental Management Act permits will increase the mine’s allowable production level from 4 million tonnes to 5 million tonnes of ore, and will allow the mine to continue restricted operations while its application to return to full production is under review.
“The tailings storage facility (TSF) will not be utilized during restricted operations. Mount Polley Mine will continue to use Springer Pit, an existing open pit on the mine site, to manage the tailings,” states the Ministry of Energy and Mines in an information bullet issued Friday.
“However, construction of buttresses around the embankments of the TSF continues to ensure that required factors of safety are being achieved.”
It is anticipated that statutory decision-makers with the ministries of Energy and Mines and Environment will make their decisions on the Mount Polley Mining Corporation’s application to return to full production this summer.
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