What Environmental Damage Does Mining in Montana Cause?
Most folks think of mining as an industry where miners dig into the earth and extract various ores and minerals. It sounds simple, but unfortunately, there are many environmental hazards generated in the act of mining.
According to information published by the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department, “over 300 of the state’s 6,000 abandoned mines pose a risk to human safety and health.” Additionally, there are active mining operations in 29 Montana counties. Every resident should know what environmental damage mining in Montana causes.
Various types of mining operations are taking place across the state, and each one comes with the risk of potential environmental hazards. Here are a few examples of how different types of mining can be a threat.
Open Pit Mining
This is one of the most common forms of mining. It involves the creation of quarries where miners dig an open pit to access the ore. Open-pit mining poses numerous environmental hazards, starting with the exposure of the buried ore. That exposure can release radioactive elements, metallic dust, and asbestos-like minerals. If those contaminants aren’t contained, they can drift into the surrounding soil, air, and water.
Open-pit mining requires separating the ore from the dirt. This creates rock slurries of pulverized materials that can also seep into the environment. It also means removing acres of trees and animal habitats.
Underground Mining
This type of mining involves digging tunnels into the earth to access precious minerals. These tunnels can extend for miles and involve large-scale operations that move materials, releasing toxins in the process. It also involves deforestation and removing topsoil seed banks that make vegetation recovery difficult.
The majority of Montana’s abandoned mines are underground. Without a complete record of those mines, they remain a hazard. NBC News previously reported on the Montana Department of Environmental Quality Abandoned Mine Lands program, which helps landowners “fill in the holes.” The story details how farmer Leroy Brenteson was driving his tractor across his field when a mine shaft opened up and swallowed the tractor.
Heap Leaching
Heap leaching is a mining process that involves piling up extracted dirt into a contained area and then treating it with chemicals to melt away the dirt and expose the valuable ore. The intention is for the so-called heap to be self-contained, but that still presents a risk.
Before 1998, cyanide was used to leach the minerals. Montan became the first state to ban cyanide heap-leaching with the passage of Initiative I-137. That is good news for that particular form of heap leaching, but the practice continues.
Additional Environmental Problems
There are additional environmental problems associated with mining, including the following:
- Carbon Output: The mining industry relies on fossil fuels for its direct operations and transportation.
- Erosion: Mining is an invasive process that causes damage to the surrounding landscape and vegetation.
- Wastewater: Modern mining techniques require thousands of gallons of water for extraction, processing, and waste disposal.
Damage Caused by Groundwater Contamination
Not all of the environmental damage from mining is visible. A lot of the hazards can make their way into the groundwater, leading to a range of health problems. Those problems can include the following:
- Nervous system damage
- Kidney or liver failure
- Reproductive problems
- Cancer
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified many contamination sites in Montana as superfund cleanup sites.
If you or someone in your family has been dealing with unexplained health issues, it is essential to test your environment. The goal is to see if there is a correlation between the impact of a mining operation and your health issues. It will also help to talk to Western Justice Associates, PLLC.
We are a law firm with years of experience dealing with mine contamination claims. We know what to look for and how to identify the responsible parties. Call for a free consultation today to discuss what is happening.