The Mount Polley mine has successfully resumed full production and is proud to be a significant local employer and economic contributor in Williams Lake and surrounding communities and supporting local businesses.
Here’s an update on what’s been happening at the mine over the past year.
Operations at the mine are progressing well, and we are targeting completion of the removal of all the tailings from the Springer pit by the end of the second quarter. During 2023, 5,948,239 tonnes of ore were processed, and 30,145,400 pounds of copper and 41,834 ounces of gold were produced.
The mine is actively expanding its team, seeking operations and technical staff to bolster its workforce. This hiring initiative includes welcoming those new to the mining industry, equipping a fresh generation with the skills to excel in this vital sector. As a supplier of copper, Mount Polley plays a role in the world’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Copper, a critical mineral, is fundamental to developing clean energy technologies essential for the global shift towards sustainability.
Mount Polley remains committed to the restoration and preservation of the natural environment in the areas affected by their operations. Our work on restoration at Mount Polley was recognised by the BC Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation (BCTRCR) awarding Mount Polley and the Habitat Remediation Working Group the prestigious Jake McDonald Annual Reclamation Award in 2023.
This award recognizes the reclamation work that has been conducted by Mount Polley and the Habitat Remediation Working Group in Hazeltine Creek and adjacent areas in response to the tailings dam breach that occurred in 2014. The Habitat Remediation Working Group, is a collaborative effort involving Mount Polley Mining Corporation, WSP in Canada, Williams Lake First Nation, Xatśūll First Nation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and the B.C. Ministry of Environment. The award is a recognition that many aspects of the remediation work done over several years is of high standard, including quality in research, innovation in techniques, quality of work undertaken, and extent of land reclaimed.
Regular environmental monitoring on site and in surrounding areas remains ongoing, and wildlife monitoring in remediated areas has shown widespread habitat usage by various species birds and mammals, as well as increased numbers of salmon and trout in Hazeltine and Edney creeks.
At Mount Polley mine, the concept of “Dry Stacking,” an environmentally conscious and technologically advanced method for managing tailings, is being tested. Tailings are the materials left over after valuable minerals have been extracted from ore through various processing techniques. Dry Stacking of the tailings previously stored in the Springer Pit started in May 2023 and should be finished by May 2024. The lessons we learn from this Dry Stacking will help us evaluate the further use of this method that helps minimize the environmental footprint of mining operations.
Mount Polley is committed to fostering and maintaining strong relationships with local Indigenous Nations, including the Williams Lake First Nation with whom a benefits agreement is in place. These collaborations are a cornerstone of our commitment to mutual respect and support, and Mount Polley looks forward to continuing to work together with Indigenous partners towards a prosperous and sustainable future.
Overall, Mount Polley is committed to being a responsible member of the community and implementing sustainable operational practices. Mount Polley is proud of the progress made in recent years and looks forward to continuing to work to ensure the long-term success of the mine and the surrounding communities.
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This article was submitted by Mount Polley Mining Corporation for Industrial Update 2024.