Study: Most mines contaminate neaby waters

Want evidence as to how often environmental agency and mining industry predictions are wrong when it comes to water contamination?

This report – Comparisons Report Final – analyzes the water quality that environmental studies predict prior to the approval of several different mines and the resulting water quality after the mines were in operation. They find that the predictions are rarely correct, having painted a rosier picture than what exists.

Although all mines require carefully executed mitigation, mines close to water resources with high acid drainage or contaminant leaching potential, such as the Black Butte mine, need special attention. That’s because the authors find that adverse impacts to water quality are common at mine sites, and they are most often caused by failed mitigation.

Maps show threats to Sheep Creek

Tintina Resources has released a document explaining in detail the facility that they proposed in their permit application for storage of the acid-producing tailings from the Black Butte mine.

Smith River Outfitters Speak Out

In an editorial, a group of Smith River outfitters express their concerns about the proposed Black Butte copper mine, what it could do to their business on the Smith River, and the likely inability of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to prevent a disaster if they approve the mining permit.

Longtime Smith River outfitters Mike Geary owns Lewis and Clark Expeditions; John Herzer and Terri Raugland own Blackfoot River Outfitters; Brandon Bodecker owns PRO Outfitters; and Joe Sowerby owns Montana Flyfishing Connection.

WSJ article highlights repeated mine failures

History is full of mining leaks, spills and downright disasters that have at least impaired and at most wreaked havoc on the streams, wildlife and landscapes around them. Far, far fewer are the stories of “harmless” mines, maybe because they don’t exist.

The problem is that mines bring hazardous material from underground – where they’re safely locked away – to the surface where the companies and taxpayers then have to deal with them. At that point, the wastes are ticking time bombs, waiting to go off when it’s least expected.