« An Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day | Main | PAC Wants Zimbabwe Expelled from Kimberley Process »
Stimulus Package Raises Hopes for Mine Cleanup
By B. Earth | February 25, 2009
The economic stimulus package that President Obama signed on Tuesday contains more than $1.5 billion for construction and maintenance projects by the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service and the Forest Service. Proposed projects include addressing pollution and safety hazards caused by abandoned mines on public lands.
It is estimated that there are at least 161,000 abandoned hardrock mines in the western United States and North Dakota, many dating back to the 19th century. The open shafts and decaying structures pose a serious threat to both people and the environment. In 2007 a 13-year-old girl was killed when her ATV ran off a trail and fell into a 125-foot mine shaft in Arizona. Arsenic, lead, mercury and cyanide used for mining is polluting rivers and groundwater, endangering wildlife and exposing people to high levels of dangerous substances.
Because the stimulus bill stipulates that money be used for projects that generate the most jobs, it remains to be seen how, exactly, the money will be allocated. But environmentalists and other advocates for cleaning up the mines believe that the work would be a strong job generator, so hopes are high that the cleanup will go forward.
Brilliant Earth only uses ethical and responsibly mined precious metals and gemstones in our jewelry. It is our mission to reduce the environmental and human toll of irresponsible mining practices, as well as to encourage consumers to purchase responsibly. We’ve got our fingers crossed that this proposed mine cleanup will soon get underway.
Topics: In the News, Mining Issues, Uncategorized |