KAMLOOPS, B.C. — B.C.'s energy and mines minister says the mining industry remains horrified to this day, one year after the Mount Polley mine disaster spilled millions of cubic metres of waste into the environment about 50-kilometres northwest of Williams Lake.
Bill Bennett says no one thought a disaster on such a scale was possible but, even today, he can't guarantee the collapse of another tailings pond won't happen again.
He says the dangers can't be eliminated entirely, but the industry is making progress as it works to reduce those risks.
Imperial Metals (TSX:III), which operates the gold and copper mine, has spent about $67 million to clean up the region, repair the damaged bed of Hazeltine Creek and monitor water quality in area lakes.
The mine has been given a restricted permit to return to limited production.
Bennett says water and sediment testing will have to continue for decades.
