“Results indicate the concentrations of most of the parameters were below both B.C. and Health Canada Drinking Water Guidelines at these sites with slight exceedances of pH and aluminum. Neither of these exceedances presents any risk of adverse health effects and are consistent with water quality results from Polley Lake since the late 1980s,” the Ministry of Environment explained in an Aug. 12 statement.

Water samples taken by the First Nations Health Authority returned similar results.

Given the results of the water tests, the B.C. Ministry said it is unlikely that the spill will have any effect on fish downstream from Mt. Polley.

To be sure, state regulators have taken tissue samples from trout in Quesnel Lake and the First Nations Health Authority is testing salmon. Results from the trout sampling is expected to take up to three weeks, the first results from salmon testing could occur as early as Aug. 15. The results from the salmon will be compared with samples collected from fish last year.

Water use and fish bans remain in effect for the areas covered with tailings that escaped the impoundment. This area includes Hazeltine Creek, the stream immediately below the dam, and a 100-meter area of Quesnel Lake at the mouth of Hazeltine Creek about six kilometers (3.5 miles) below the breached dam.

Once sediment sample results are available, the ministry will be able to determine if there is any risk posed by the tailings solids. Identification of any contaminants found in sediment will continue as part of longer term monitoring.

The Ministry of Environment also will continue water sampling.

It is unclear how long it will take Imperial Metals, owner of the Mt. Polley Mine, to resume operations at the copper project.

The company is currently building a temporary plug in the breached area to stem any additional flow from the tailings facility. The primary stabilization efforts, however, are lowering the water levels in Polley Lake.

Located slightly up Hazeltine Creek from the tailings dam, water from the breach back-flowed into Polley Lake and debris blocked the outflow. To prevent a second large discharge, Imperial Metals is pumping water into Polley Lake at a rate of 8,000 gallons per minute. Water is also being pumped into two open pits at the Mt. Polley Mine.

The company also has begun clean-up efforts.

“We are focused on mitigating immediate effects and understanding the cause of the breach,” the company said in an Aug. 7 update. “Our priorities continue to be human and environmental safety.”

Imperial Metals began the mitigation effort by clearing logs and other debris swept into Quesnel Lake.

The clean-up will be guided by an action plan submitted to B.C. regulators.

It is assumed that a thorough investigation into the cause of the breach will need to be completed before repairs to the dam can be made.

More than 50 B.C. officials are in the area to support the investigation and clean-up effort.

Human dilemma

In a poignant statement, the Association for Mineral Exploration said the Mt. Polley dam failure is a “human dilemma” and calls on all metal users to come together to ensure a similar incident doesn’t occur again.

"Given that everyone uses and benefits from the metals and minerals explored for and produced by the industry, we must all take a certain amount of responsibility and take time to consider constructive and thoughtful input to help make things better in the future,” said AME BC Chair David McLelland. “This particular incident is not solely a government, First Nation, environmentalist, industry or company centric problem. This is a shared human dilemma that I know we can improve if we work together and consider all the scientific data, causal factors, remediation strategies and options.”

AME BC said the breach of the tailings dam is a very serious environmental concern to everyone in the surrounding communities, government and First Nations and to the industry. But the association cautioned against laying blame or jumping to conclusion before all the facts are known.

“This is a highly complex and dynamic situation that will require further responsible action, careful assessment and scientific review. Let’s all keep in mind that no one knows what caused this incident yet. There is a multitude of scenarios to consider, and each one will need careful technical consideration and methodical investigation,” said AME BC President and CEO Gavin Dirom. “It is critically important that we openly share information and make public the science-based findings and facts as they are discovered.”

While the environmental concerns need to be properly addressed, now is certainly not the time for anyone to speculate recklessly or seek an opportunity to suggest immediate changes to public policy based on misinformation, incomplete data or fears. This is a time for stewardship and strong leadership,” he added.