Earthworks, along with four Alaska conservation, environmental health, and justice organizations, released a report on Tuesday regarding the record of spills and pollution violations at Alaska’s five major operating hardrock mines: Red Dog, Fort Knox, Pogo, Kensington and Greens Creek.
In their report, Earthworks released several key findings gathered from a review of state and federal documents, news reports, and the federal National Response Center database:
- 100% – All five mines have experienced at least one major spill or other accidental release of hazardous materials such as mine tailings, cyanide solution, diesel fuel and ore concentrate.
- 80% – Four of the five mines failed to capture or control contaminated mine water, resulting in water quality violations that often occurred over an extended period.
- 80% – Four out of five mines have been identified by the EPA as out of compliance with federal laws to protect clean air or water in the last three years.
- 40% – Metals pollution from two mines has contaminated public lands designated as National Monuments.
- 80% – The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process at four of the mines underestimated water quality impacts, failing to predict violations of federal and state laws.
Pamela Miller, Executive Director, Alaska Community Action on Toxics: “This report highlights the gross deficiencies and failures of the regulatory system in Alaska. We deserve a strong, inclusive system that protects the lands, water and health of our people. Current efforts to gut the environmental review process and limit public comment represents a very real threat to our public health and the environment.”
Bob Shavelson, Advocacy Director at Cook Inletkeeper: “Mining companies like to tout Alaska’s ‘rigorous’ permitting system, but this report pulls back the curtain on Alaska’s phony permitting scheme, and tells the real story: that noncompliance and water quality violations are the norm, not the exception.”
Solaris Gillispie, Clean Water and Mining Manager for the Northern Alaska Environmental Center: “This report is eye opening about the reality that Alaska’s mine permitting process places profit and political interest ahead of safety and the public interest in clean water and intact landscapes.”
For more information and to read the full report, visit RadioKenai.com.
Earthworks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the adverse impacts of mineral and energy development while promoting sustainable solutions.