Rep. Nate McConnell brought House Bill 593 before the House Natural Resources Committee on Monday, March 20, 2017. Read more in the Helena Independent Record and Montana Trout Unlimited’s legislative action alert.
The harsh reality of copper sulfide mining
Copper sulfide mining has well documented impacts on water quality. A peer-reviewed study has found that, even with modern technology, spills are all but inevitable and that water containment and treatment systems frequently fail, leading to significant impacts on water quality. For more information check out this copper mining fact sheet.
Stillwater Mine: Cautionary tale of “modern mining”
Mining companies are notoriously poor with finances and Montanans have to look no further than one of the local mines to see an example of that. The tale of the Stillwater Mine also shows how reclamation bonds are never set high enough.
Camper leads Smith River mine outreach effort
Many avid Smith River floaters know of the threat posed by the proposed Black Butte copper mine, but there are still a few who don’t have a clue. So Montana Trout Unlimited member Ezra Ginzberg has taken on the role of teacher.
Mines threaten agricultural water
“Water sustains life. Water sustains agriculture.”
Those are the words of Clint McRae, Rosebud area rancher who raises cattle near Colstrip. In this video, Clint voices his concern about the leaking coal ash ponds near his ranch that threaten Rosebud Creek and other water that his cattle depend on. The sulfates in the water are more than 8 times higher than what is safe for cattle.
Animas tale shows preferring jobs to safeguards can court disaster
Amazing how disasters change people’s ambivalence toward mines.
According to this High Country News story, “Silverton’s Gold King reckoning,” the Colorado mining town of Silverton has regretted its original choice to oppose federal mine clean-up after the ancient mine had already created a pollution problem.