Despite the short notice, the Likely Hall was filled last night with community members clamoring for answers from Imperial Metals Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Steve Robertson.
Although Robertson says Imperial Metals is working at great length toward cleanup and ensuring the water is safe, people left with more questions and feeling at unease; a plume has been discovered.
“There was a sediment plume that we found in Quesnel Lake.”
Robertson says Imperial will be working diligently to find out what sediment the plume contains and any effects on the lake.
“It’s something that we’ve identified now but we haven’t fully characterized. We don’t have the water samples to tell us what the chemistry is and we don’t have an idea of the size or extent of it.”
Robertson added the plume was only discovered due to previous water sampling gear that could only reach a lake depth of 30 meters.
The meeting drew to an end with Robertson saying there will be another meeting next week Thursday, as many in attendance left in silent discontent.
Outside of the entrance to the Mount Polley Mine red tape of the word NO hung beside the slogan “Success with Safety”, as a sacred fire ceremony with frustrated First Nations peoples later took place.
Stories were told from lead storyteller Nitanis Desjarlais, who says the disaster has deeply affected the lake.
“Water is life, it’s as simple as that…and to downplay that nobody was hurt in this incident..it was one of the worst catastrophes to hit a major body of water.”
The gathering outside near the entrance to the Mount Polley Mine concluded late into the night with a song in which tears were shed as a sacred fire burned.
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