14
2 Two Recent Catastrophic Tailings Dams Accidents
Fig. 2.1 Google Earth view of the Mount Polley mine tailings pond before (top) and after (bottom)
the dam break of August 4th 2014
Investigation and Review Panel to report on the breach as described in Sect. 2.1.1
below. In direct response to the Panel Report, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C. prepared “The Professional Practice Guidelines –
Site Characterization for Dam Foundations in B.C.” (APEGBC 2016) to address the
recommendation in the Panel that guidelines be prepared that would lead to improved
site characterization. As a parallel activity the Auditor General of British Columbia
issued a report titled “An Audit of Compliance and Enforcement of the Mining Sector” (BC AG 2016) with its main recommendations pertaining to risk identification
and management being described in Sect. 2.1.2. The government of British Columbia
also implemented changes to the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in
British Columbia, primarily on the basis of the above documents.
2 Two Recent Catastrophic Tailings Dams Accidents
Fig. 2.1 Google Earth view of the Mount Polley mine tailings pond before (top) and after (bottom)
the dam break of August 4th 2014
Investigation and Review Panel to report on the breach as described in Sect. 2.1.1
below. In direct response to the Panel Report, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C. prepared “The Professional Practice Guidelines –
Site Characterization for Dam Foundations in B.C.” (APEGBC 2016) to address the
recommendation in the Panel that guidelines be prepared that would lead to improved
site characterization. As a parallel activity the Auditor General of British Columbia
issued a report titled “An Audit of Compliance and Enforcement of the Mining Sector” (BC AG 2016) with its main recommendations pertaining to risk identification
and management being described in Sect. 2.1.2. The government of British Columbia
also implemented changes to the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in
British Columbia, primarily on the basis of the above documents.