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From "The Widerness Society" on June 18, 2019...
"Horror Stories About Mining: Why we shouldn’t fast-track mining on public lands" (by Carla Ruas)
Navajo miners near Cove, Arizona in 1952. Photos originally published n the book "Memories Come to Us in the Wind." -- photo by MILTON JACK SNOW/SERC.CARLETON.EDU/CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
"Reckless mining is a major threat to human health and the environment"
"Extracting heavy metals from the Earth is a complex and often dangerous process that can involve blasting rocks, deep drilling and the use of toxic chemicals. If done recklessly, it can leave deep scars in the environment and local communities—and there are plenty of horror stories to prove it.
"In spite of those risks, the Trump administration has announced it wants to lift existing bans on new mining claims on public lands. The move could open up the wilderness, areas of critical environmental concern, and even national parks to mining. But that's not all. The government is also considering dangerous measures to fast-track mineral extraction on those lands, including expediting environmental reviews, limiting public participation and encouraging the building of infrastructure to access new mines.
"The administration's motivation is to boost production of 35 minerals including uranium, potash, lithium and helium. But if history has taught us anything, is that ramping up mining can do more harm than good. Hardrock mining is one of the most devastating industries to the environment and human health, with impacts that can last for generations.
"Instead of loosening protections, we need to increase safeguards for air, land and water so we’re not repeating the mistakes of the past.
"Here are two horror stories to remind us about the dangers of increased mineral mining for both humans and the environment:...."
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