Williams Lake, B.C.- The Cariboo Regional District  is calling on the Minister of Energy and Mines and the Minister of Environment to  approve a restricted restart of the Mt. Polley Mine.

The mine has not been operating since August 4th of last  year when  the tailings pond breached,  sending  millions of  cubic  meters of  tailings sludge  down Hazeltine Creek into Quesnel Lake.

A decision on a restricted  restart of the  mine  is expected to be made   by mid July.

The CRD has also requested the government to include the Cariboo Regional District and the community of Likely in future discussions regarding the mine and its operations, to share the Emergency Response Plan with First Nations, the Cariboo Regional District, and the community of Likely; and to maintain and expand the role of the Public Liaison Committee to truly gather input from the community.

The Cariboo Regional District Board has been receiving regular updates from the provincial ministries on the restart application and has been provided with the submissions made to government during the public consultation process.