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Abandoned Mines: An Ominous Threat
On July 25, the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Interior reported that abandoned mines pose an "ominous" threat to public health and safety, pointing to the need for reform of the 1872 mining law. Read the coverage in the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times, featuring statements from Senate and House leadership and the Pew Campaign.
Abandoned mines pose 'ominous' threat, report finds
Los Angeles Times, July 26, 2008
Abandoned mines in California, Arizona and Nevada have "ominous" potential for causing more deaths, and government supervisors have ordered staffers to ignore the problems, according to a new report by the Interior Department's inspector general. Cleanup of Unused Mines Is Urged
Washington Post, July 26, 2008
The unusually harsh report by Inspector General Earl E. Devaney, based on visits to 45 areas with abandoned mines and interviews with more than 75 employees of the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service, warns that "dangerous levels of environmental contaminants, such as arsenic, lead and mercury" are present on BLM lands that are readily accessible to visitors and local residents. 2 agencies blamed for old mine dangers
The Arizona Republic, July 26, 2008
At the Arizona sites, federal investigators found open shafts, inadequate fencing and signs, unrestricted access to open mines, safety hazards because of deteriorating structures and, in some cases, high levels of radiation.
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