Prince George, B.C. – The Mount Polley mine near Likely,  will be allowed to return to full  production using the  repaired and strengthened tailings facility  which breached  in August of 2014 .  That breach sent millions of  cubic metres of water and tailings  down Hazeltine Creek into Quesnel Lake.
Under the permit amendment the mine can process up to 22,450 metric tonnes of ore per-day and store tailings in the repaired and strengthened tailings facility.

A review of the  repaired tailings pond underwent a geotechnical  review by two senior geotechnical engineers who both concluded  the proposed design and construction of the repaired Tailing Storage Facility meet engineering standards.

The tailings  facility’s repairs include extensive foundation investigation and additional buttressing of the main and perimeter embankments. The company has also established an Independent Tailings Review Board (ITRB) consisting of four professional engineers. The ITRB has full-independent oversight over all aspects of the design, construction, operation and closure planning for the Mount Polley Mine TSF.

There is still a condition that has to be met, as  the  restricted re-start permit  issued in July of last year  calls on the Mount Polley Mine Corporation to submit  a draft technical assessment report in support of the long-term water management plan to government by June 30, 2016, in order to continue operations.