Perpetual Mine Management
The US West is dotted with abandoned mines that pollute water and impair habitat, the legacy of earlier generations' pursuit of wealth and industrial feedstock. In our 2005 report on abandoned mines, the Center of the American West made the case for "Good Samaritan" legislation that will facilitate the cleanup of thousands of deserted hardrock mines. In an effort to prevent the creation of a new generation of legacy mines, mining today involves much more detailed environmental analysis than was applied in the past. One result of this, however, is an increasing number of mines that are predicted to require "perpetual" active management after the valuable minerals have been removed to avoid significant environmental degradation. These long-term commitments relate directly to current policy debates over model reliability, the stability of financial institutions, and the meaning of sustainable development.
As part of our broad goal to improve environmental policy related to mining, the Center of the American West is launching this project to study the implications of perpetual management at today's active mines. We have assembled a team of experts to conduct a detailed analysis of the technical, legal, and economic components of long-term mining liability. Our goal is to equip all the actors -- mine operators, technical consultants, public land managers, policymakers, and other stakeholders -- with the tools they need to address the potential for long-term management. We know what failure looks like from the current legacy of abandoned mines and the degraded water quality they cause, but we are confident that responsible mining practices can successfully construct a future that will sustain the West and its people in perpetuity.
