The Highland Valley Copper mine is the largest copper mine in Canada and one of the largest copper mining and concentrating operations in the world. Mine operations, changes in drainage patterns, and reclamation activities all may affect the physical and biological characteristics of the aquatic waterbodies located on or near the mine site. The mine has conducted annual monitoring programs since the early 1970s to monitor the effects of mine operation on local water quality and aquatic resources, ensure compliance with environmental legislation and reclamation permits, and support the establishment of recreational fisheries. The annual monitoring programs include:
- Water quality – assessment of conventional analytes, nutrients, and total metals.
- Sediment quality – assessment of particle size, total organic carbon content, and total metals.
- Benthic invertebrate community – assessment of community abundance and structure at one or more stations in each of the sampled waterbodies.
- Fish health – assessment of whole organism metrics and health in rainbow trout.
- Fish tissue burdens – analysis of metals in liver and muscle of rainbow trout.
In 2007 a synthesis report was provided to the mine as a comprehensive evaluation of environmental quality of waterbodies in the mine area. This report provided an assessment of environmental quality in waterbodies in and around the mine site and recommendations for future monitoring programs. This helps to ensure that aquatic resources are monitored on a scientifically-sound and cost-effective basis.
