Earthworks provides a report based on 2 years of research comparing mine operator promises vs what actually happened after operations began. It surveys 20 some hardrock mines that underwent federal government analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Entitled: "The reliability of predictions in Environmental Impact Statements" was published December 7, 2006 and is by Jim Kuipers, P.E., Ann Maest, PhD.
From the preface of the report:
See also Okanogan Higlands Alliance website and learn about their two decade long struggle against the Buckhorn Mine, which even though it went underground is now degrading surface and ground water quality down gradient from this relatively new mine.
And EPA's Summitville Mine webpage, updated August 2012.
"The overall purpose of this study is to examine the reliability of pre-mining water quality predictions at hard rock mining operations in the United States. To our knowledge, no effort has previously been made to systematically compare predicted and actual water quality for mines in the U.S. or elsewhere."Go to the Earthworks page for the report to download it and for other supporting documents. It should be helpful to those opposing the large mining operations being proposed in the Siskiyou Mountains.
See also Okanogan Higlands Alliance website and learn about their two decade long struggle against the Buckhorn Mine, which even though it went underground is now degrading surface and ground water quality down gradient from this relatively new mine.
And EPA's Summitville Mine webpage, updated August 2012.
