— Mount Polley's modified-centerline construction tailings dam failed in August, 2014, released an estimated 25 million cubic meters of water and tailings. Initial reports suggest the tailings may be relatively inert, due the presence of carbonate rocks in Mt. Polley's ore body, which buffer the acid-generating properties of the ore. It is hoped that this, combined with settling basins provided by two downstream lakes, will mitigate impact to the watershed, the First Nations immediately downstream, and the Fraser River. The creekbed between the breach and nearest lake was physically destroyed.
