Imperial Metals faces 15 charges under the Fisheries Act, 10 years after a tailings dam collapse sent billions of liters of toxic waste into British Columbia waterways.
Sarah Cox reports for The Narwhal.
In short:
- In 2014, a tailings dam failure at the Mount Polley mine released 25 billion liters of toxic sludge into Polley Lake, Hazeltine Creek and Quesnel Lake.
- Imperial Metals now faces charges for violating the Fisheries Act, with the case set for a Dec. 18 court appearance.
- Despite the disaster, the company seeks permits to expand the mine and continue discharging wastewater into Quesnel Lake.
Key quote:
“It’s so important to see charges finally being laid against Imperial Metals over a decade later.”
— Nikki Skuce, director of Northern Confluence
Why this matters:
Toxic spills from mining operations threaten local ecosystems and communities, harming fish habitats and drinking water. Accountability and stricter regulations are critical to prevent future disasters and protect public resources from industrial pollution.
Related: Canada and the US tackle mine pollution with an international study
