The gold mine was sold to local landowners in April this year by its Australian owners St Barbara a year after flash flooding forced the mine's closure.
St Barbara had repeatedly tried to release the water in a controlled way but its attempts were opposed by the government and local communities who wanted it treated before release.
A World Health Organisation report on the water quality has declared it safe for controlled discharge in small amounts, however the sediment at the bottom of the tailings dam contains highly toxic concentrations of cyanide and arsenic which could be released in the event of a dam breach.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/278441/solomons-dam-likely-to-be-drained-to-avoid-breach
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