BC Announces Restricted Re-start For Imperial Metals Mount Polley Mine

Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett and Minister of Environment Mary Polak announced that Imperial Metals’s (TSX:III) Mount Polley Mine has been conditionally authorized to begin restricted operations.
As quoted in the announcement:

The Mount Polley Mine Corporation estimates it will take about 30 days before it can begin production now that ministry staff have amended the company’s Mines Act and Environmental Management Act permits. During restricted operations, the company expects to provide jobs for up to 220 workers.
The amended Mines Act permit authorizes the company to operate at roughly half the rate of normal operations. The tailings facility will not be utilized during the operation. Mount Polley Mine will use Springer Pit, an existing open pit on the mine site, to manage the tailings.

Bennet stated:

This conditional restricted permit to re-start operations is the first of three significant steps the company needs to continue operation and does not include the ability to discharge water off the site. In the early fall, the company will need a second conditional permit to treat and discharge water in order for operations to continue. Lastly, the company must submit a long-term water treatment and discharge plan to government by June 30, 2016. The mine will not be authorized to continue to operate long-term if it fails to complete either of the last two steps.

Click here to read the full government announcement.