FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, December 7,
2006
CONTACTS: Jim Kuipers, Kuipers and Associates, (406) 782-3441
Ann Maest, Buka Environmental,(303) 324-6948
Alan Septoff, Earthworks, (202) 887-1872, ext. 205
Bobby Andrew, Nunamta Aulukestai, 907-842-5983
NEW SCIENTIFIC REPORT REVEALS WIDESPREAD FAILURE TO KEEP
MINES FROM POLLUTING WATER
Regulatory and scientific failures in mine permitting result
in widespread water pollution, increased public health risks,
and costly taxpayer-funded cleanups
Anchorage, AK- New scientific research unveiled today finds
that faulty water quality predictions, mitigation measures
and regulatory failures result in the approval of mines that
create significant water pollution problems. Despite assurances
from government regulators and mine proponents that mines
would not pollute clean water, researchers found that 76 percent
of studied mines exceeded water quality standards, polluting
rivers, and groundwater with toxic contaminants, such as lead,
mercury, arsenic and cyanide, and exposing taxpayers to huge
cleanup liabilities. The research, released by Washington,
DC-based conservation group EARTHWORKS and Nunamta Aulukestai
(Caretakers of Our Land), has major implications for the proposed
Pebble Mine.
The first-of-a-kind reports, "Comparison
of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock Mines,"
and "Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines:
Methods and Models, Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art,"
by Kuipers, P.E., and geochemist Ann Maest, Ph.D., analyzed
water quality predictions and outcomes at 25 representative
metal mines permitted in the United States during the last
25 years.
The scientists found that predictions of mining's
impact on clean water were made without checking the results
of past predictions. They also found that predictions were
often made using inadequate information, incorrectly applied.
Not surprisingly, mitigation measures based on the inaccurate
predictions also typically failed to protect clean water.
"The results of this report underscore
the unacceptable risks associated with the proposed Pebble
Mine," said Bobby Andrew, spokesman for Nunamta Aulukestai.
"The Bristol Bay salmon fishery is vital to the communities
of this region for subsistence and for the commercial fishing
industry and sports anglers. It should not be jeopardized
for a Canadian mining company."
Among the report's findings for the 25 mines
examined in depth:
76 percent of mines exceed groundwater or surface
water quality standards
93 percent of mines that are near groundwater
and have elevated potential for acid drainage or contaminant
leaching exceeded water quality standards
85 percent of mines that are near surface water
and have elevated potential for acid drainage or contaminant
leaching exceeded water quality standards
Mitigation measures predicted to protect clean
water failed at 64 percent of the mines.
The researchers also found that mines located
near surface or groundwater that tapped ore bodies with high
potential for acid-generation or contaminant leaching, and
near water resources were at high-risk of resulting in water
pollution. This finding in particular has serious implications
for controversial new mines now being proposed or in permitting,
including the proposed Pebble Mine.
"Due to the high risk characteristics of
this project and the present inability for mitigation measures
to ensure water quality protection, I find the proposed Pebble
Project to be highly inadvisable." said Jim Kuipers P.E.,
co-author of the report.
Sustained increases in metal prices, driven
in part by growing demand from China, have triggered a sharp
increase in the number of new mines and mine expansions being
proposed in the United States. New mining claims filed in
2006 for mines on federal public lands are on track to more
than quadruple since 2002.
Based on the researchers' findings, the groups
releasing the studies offered the following recommendations:
Better screening of high-risk mines-particularly
those near water resources that have the potential to create
pollution from acid drainage or metal leaching.
Take a precautionary approach to mine permitting
and plan for worst-case scenarios.
Undertake a thorough review of water quality
predictions at all existing mines.
Keep the public informed, make risks transparent.
Prevent conflicts-of-interest between mine proponents
and expert consultants who prepare predictions and analyses.
The report has been extensively peer-reviewed
and presented at five major conferences, including: U.S. EPA's
Hardrock 2006 Conference in Tucson, Arizona; Society for Mining,
Metallurgy, and Exploration's 2006 Annual Meeting in St. Louis;
and the Mine Design, Operations and Closure Conference in
Fairmont Hot Springs, Montana, also in 2006.
For copies of the full report and additional
background, including a summary white paper and list of peer
reviewers and publications, go to: www.mine-aid.org/predictions
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For more information:
Hook'n Bullet
500 L Street, Suite 502
Anchorage, AK 99501
Telephone: (907) 632-9933
Fax: (907) 272-9319
Email: info@renewableresourcescoalition.org