Mount Polley engineers headed for disciplinary hearings

B.C'.s professional association of engineers says it will hold disciplinary hearings next year for three engineers related to the Mount Polley tailings dam collapse.

Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia is alleging negligence or unprofessional conduct by Laura Fidel, Stephen Rice and Todd Martin in the course of their professional activities

They were involved in the design, construction and monitoring of the tailings storage facility at the Mount Polley gold and copper mine.

It was the site of one of the largest spills in the province's history when the dam collapsed in August 2014, sending 24 million cubic metres of mine waste and sludge into nearby waterways.

Max Logan of Engineers andGeoscientistsBritish Columbia says it took the unusual step of initiating an investigation without first receiving a complaint, which the regulatory body has the authority to do.

Investigators combed through 13,000documents over four years as part of thelengthy probe.

The allegations have not been heard by a disciplinary panel and are unproven.

If the allegations are proven, the engineers could face up to $25,000in fines and lose theirlicencesto practice professional engineering orgeosciencein British Columbia.

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