Mount Polley Mine Expansion Halted Amid Xatśūll First Nation's Legal Challenge

In a significant development, the Xatśūll First Nation has successfully paused the expansion of the Mount Polley Mine's tailings storage facility in British Columbia. This comes after a mutual agreement with Imperial Metals, the mine's operator, to delay the deposition of additional tailings until a judicial review is conducted. The review is scheduled to commence on June 24, 2025 .The Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal+1The Narwhal+1

Background: The 2014 Environmental Disaster

The Mount Polley Mine, located in central British Columbia, was the site of a catastrophic tailings dam failure in 2014. This disaster released approximately 25 billion liters of mining waste into nearby waterways, including Polley Lake, Hazeltine Creek, and Quesnel Lake. The spill had devastating effects on the local ecosystem and the Xatśūll First Nation's traditional territory .The Narwhal+1Squamish Chief+1miningwatch.ca

The Current Dispute: Expansion Without Consent

In March 2025, the British Columbia government approved a four-meter raise to the mine's tailings dam without conducting an environmental assessment or obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of the Xatśūll First Nation. This decision prompted the First Nation to file a judicial review, arguing that the approval violates the province's commitments under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and disregards the lessons from the 2014 disaster .KamloopsBCNow+12Global News+12miningwatch.ca+12ilrtoday.ca+12miningwatch.ca+12The Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal+12

Environmental and Legal Concerns

The tailings storage facility at Mount Polley contains a mixture of water and mining waste, including toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and copper. These substances pose significant risks to human health and the environment. The Xatśūll First Nation contends that the expansion could exacerbate these risks and further harm their lands and waters .IndigiNews

Looking Ahead: The Judicial Review

The upcoming judicial review will examine the legality of the province's approval process and its adherence to environmental and Indigenous rights legislation. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for resource development projects in British Columbia, particularly concerning Indigenous consultation and environmental oversight.

The Xatśūll First Nation's legal challenge underscores the ongoing tensions between economic development and the protection of Indigenous rights and the environment. As the case proceeds, it will serve as a critical test of the province's commitment to reconciliation and sustainable resource management.KamloopsBCNow+12miningwatch.ca+12Canadian Mining Journal+12Global News+2The Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal+2Canadian Mining Journal+2

For more information, refer to the original article: Xatśūll First Nation's judicial review on Mount Polley moves ahead.