Imperial Metal’s bid to have their application for a partial restart of operations processed has been delayed as concerns of using Springer Pit as a tailings pond storage facility has arisen.
Brian Olding, an Environmental Planner retained by the Williams Lake Indian Band and Soda Creek First Nation, shares with us some of the calculations that Golder Consultants discovered after completing a study of the hydrology-ground water.
Olding adds that as the engineering calculations have to be precise and sound, they have hired their own engineering groundwater firm, Ground Water Solutions.
Olding says if they discover any issues, they’ve been directed to provide solutions to Mt. Polley.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines say they have requested additional information from Mt. Polley on groundwater management, and adds that their application for a partial restart of operations cannot move forward to be processed until that information is received.
Imperial Metals submitted a formal application to partially restart operations at Mt Polley by using Springer pit as a tailings storage facility on Jan. 12.