The reclamation of this BHP open pit copper mine near Port Hardy on Northern Vancouver Island was planned before the mine opened: when exhausted it was to become a lake. To do this, a ditch was excavated to join the ocean with the pit. The mine eventually was 1350 feet deep and when the dam that held back the sea water was broken, the resultant falls were the highest in Canada.
To begin a bacterial action in the bed of the lake, the bottom of the pit was covered with fish guts/remnants and wood chips, drawing dozens of eagles to the site. When the sea water eventually hit the copper-laced pit the chemical action turned it into a beautiful turquoise colour quite hard to believe. The artist didn't need an artistic license for this one!