The Dirty Dozen Report, produced in collaboration with Northern Confluence and the BC Mining Law Reform network, highlights threats to the health and safety of communities and the environment from 12 of BC‘s top polluting and risky mines. The report highlights examples of mines leaking toxic runoff into waterways, putting taxpayers at risk of paying for cleanup, and proposing massive tailings dams that could have devastating consequences if they fail – sometimes without undergoing any environmental assessment. All 12 mines on the list threaten local environments and communities across BC, but are usually operating within BC laws and regulations. The report points to solutions for improving mining regulation and enforcement to prevent these problems from recurring, many of which are echoed by scientists, engineers, organizations, Indigenous Nations, and political leaders. BC Still needs to fully implement the expert recommendations for improving tailings safety that were issued in response to the catastrophic Mount Polley tailings dam collapse.

There is yet to be a strategy for closing and cleaning up abandoned mines. A commitment to ensuring the polluter pays has yet to be put into regulation. Related: The Dirty Dozen represent a small portion of the over 100 polluting or potentially contaminating mine sites across the province. See the map of contaminated mine sites in BC. SkeenaWild produced in collaboration with the BC Mining Law Reform network.