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About Time! California Open Pit Mines Told to Cleanup their Act
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Source: ENN
Download: California State Mining and Geology Board's new regulations
California adopts tough mining rules that may spell industry's end
11 April 2003
By Don Thompson, Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Gold Rush state adopted the nation's toughest restrictions on open-pit metallic mining Thursday. The industry said the new restrictions will virtually eliminate large-scale gold mines in California.
The regulations approved by the California State Mining and Geology Board require mining companies to refill new open-pit metal mines when they're depleted and flatten mine waste piles back to nearly the natural landscape — mandates miners say are too expensive.
Now large commercial operators will look to other states to mine gold and other precious metals, said California Mining Association Manager Adam Harper.
"The mining of the state mineral has pretty much been made impossible by this regulation today," Harper said.
Board members said the new regulations essentially implement the intent of a law on the books since 1975 that said pit mines should be restored to beneficial use.
Local governments have often defined depleted mines as open space, landfills, recreational lakes or water recharge basins rather than requiring they be restored. But the steep walls make many mines useless for recreation, the board said. And environmental groups say cyanide used to leach precious metals from lower grade ore can turn the pits into toxic lakes.
Several high-profile mines stand to lose, including one near a sacred Indian site.
Courtney Ann Coyle, an attorney for the Quechan Indian Tribe, applauded the regulations. The tribe has waged an eight-year battle against Glamis Gold Ltd.'s proposal to mine federal land near the tribe's Fort Yuma Reservation.
Glamis, meanwhile, is considering a legal challenge to the new regulations. It also could seek state reimbursement for the lost value of its property, Glamis Senior Vice President Charles Jeannes said.
Source: The Associated Press
Download: California State Mining and Geology Board's new regulations
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